Thursday, February 24, 2005
Same Sex Marriage
Presently there is a debate in the Canadian Parliament to redefine marriage. Marriage is defined, traditionally, as an union between a man and a woman to form a family. However, same sex union is already legalized in eight out of ten provinces, therefore the federal government wants to redefine marriage as two human beings unite together to form a family, disregard to their sexes.
The opponents argue that same sex marriage is unnatural, morally corrupted, and not the design of the creator. The proponents say that it is a matter of protection of equal rignts to minorities, and chartered rights. They call the opponents narrow minded, sexists, homophobic, and extreme fundamentalists.
It you have a wicked idea, speak it loud. I mean very very loud, and advertise it with a big bang. If there are opponents, crown them with all kinds of names. Sooner or later, your wicked view will be accepted by the politicians and people.
A terrorist can get the Nobel Prize in peace. What else is impossible?
The opponents argue that same sex marriage is unnatural, morally corrupted, and not the design of the creator. The proponents say that it is a matter of protection of equal rignts to minorities, and chartered rights. They call the opponents narrow minded, sexists, homophobic, and extreme fundamentalists.
It you have a wicked idea, speak it loud. I mean very very loud, and advertise it with a big bang. If there are opponents, crown them with all kinds of names. Sooner or later, your wicked view will be accepted by the politicians and people.
A terrorist can get the Nobel Prize in peace. What else is impossible?
Saturday, February 19, 2005
Valentine
Men send flowers to their lovers or girlfriends on Valentine Day; husbands rush to the flower shop in the last minute to buy flowers for their wives ; bosses send chocolate or flowers to their secretaries or female employees; and school kids give their Valentine cards to each one in the class and the teachers also (the teacher reminds the kids to give a card to everyone in the class!). Do these make the world more loving? Do these make people more romantic ?
I am a man without love. I have never received a Valentine card. Don't mention about chocolate or flowers. It is certainly understandable because I do not send Valentine card. Then the question is: Are those people 'observing' Valentine day more romantic than me?
Valentine Day is promoted to the highest point by businessmen. They sell more chocolate than any other day. They sell more cards than any other occasions except Christmas. I can't imagine if I gave Valentine cards to my female classmates in our high school days. People would think I were either an idiot or in-love. In those days, it would be a laughing stalk even if you gave a Christmas card to your female classmate.
Certainly high school romance is very sweet, though I haven't tasted it. I am told that a website for finding your high school classmates is the second most popular website in the USA. As people fail in their marriages, they remember their high school sweethearts. I have heard many happy endings and romantic stories. This does not surprise me because they share a common history, and they grew up together for years. I guess this is what they call that "first love is the best and most lovable".
Chinese are very reserved in feeling. We prefer "translucent" feeling than complete expression. I have been living in Canada for more than 30 years, but I am still not accustomed to be hugged by the office girls during the Christmas time. My heart may not be pounding, but my face certainly turns red. Are we really not romantic? No! We may prefer different ways. Isn't it more romantic walking in the rain (or snow in Canada, or bushn in Australia, or along the beaches in Singapore and Hong Kong) with someone you enjoy or love than giving her/him with a dozen of roses? Isn't it more romantic to sit on the top of a mountain with someone you can share your feeling than having a candle light supper in an artificial romantic restaurant? Isn't it more romantic giving your love one a surprise than giving her/him a box of chocolate on Valentine Day? Isn't watching "Pride and Prejudice" together more romantic than receiving a Valentine Card?
I am just another outcast, old fashioned, and non-romantic idiot, period!
I am a man without love. I have never received a Valentine card. Don't mention about chocolate or flowers. It is certainly understandable because I do not send Valentine card. Then the question is: Are those people 'observing' Valentine day more romantic than me?
Valentine Day is promoted to the highest point by businessmen. They sell more chocolate than any other day. They sell more cards than any other occasions except Christmas. I can't imagine if I gave Valentine cards to my female classmates in our high school days. People would think I were either an idiot or in-love. In those days, it would be a laughing stalk even if you gave a Christmas card to your female classmate.
Certainly high school romance is very sweet, though I haven't tasted it. I am told that a website for finding your high school classmates is the second most popular website in the USA. As people fail in their marriages, they remember their high school sweethearts. I have heard many happy endings and romantic stories. This does not surprise me because they share a common history, and they grew up together for years. I guess this is what they call that "first love is the best and most lovable".
Chinese are very reserved in feeling. We prefer "translucent" feeling than complete expression. I have been living in Canada for more than 30 years, but I am still not accustomed to be hugged by the office girls during the Christmas time. My heart may not be pounding, but my face certainly turns red. Are we really not romantic? No! We may prefer different ways. Isn't it more romantic walking in the rain (or snow in Canada, or bushn in Australia, or along the beaches in Singapore and Hong Kong) with someone you enjoy or love than giving her/him with a dozen of roses? Isn't it more romantic to sit on the top of a mountain with someone you can share your feeling than having a candle light supper in an artificial romantic restaurant? Isn't it more romantic giving your love one a surprise than giving her/him a box of chocolate on Valentine Day? Isn't watching "Pride and Prejudice" together more romantic than receiving a Valentine Card?
I am just another outcast, old fashioned, and non-romantic idiot, period!
Wednesday, February 16, 2005
Retirement
I don't know how you all feel about retirement.
Some people say that they retire because of poor health
Some people say that they retire because they get frustrated in the ever-changing work place.
Some people say that they retire because they want to enjoy life (as the motto of lottery : Freedom 55)
Others say that they would not retire because they enjoy their work.
Others also say that they would not retire because they were born to be workhorses (workaholic).
No matter what, we have to retire at some time (or drop dead on the job). But when is the right time and right moment? It is a myth, and there is no standard formula.
But I can tell you that most people retire NOT because of poor health, frustrated, not enjoying work, having enough saving .........
On the contrary most people retire (young, 55-60) because they find something more important to do in life.
If you are the lucky one, your present job is your career and your interest. But for most of us, our present job (career) is only for bread and butter. Sometimes it is not "really" our original goal or interest. To give you an example. My greatest interest in high school was chemistry and I had no doubt about that. As a result, I pursed my university education in chemistry. However during the 70s, the job market in chemistry was not very bright. In order to get my "bread and butter", I needed to change field (the first wrong move, too practical). It ended up doing research in forestry (which I have no training at all). However it feeds me and my family very well. I have no regret and complain about that, and I have a very fulfilling career. However, there is still a lack of satisfaction in my career - I miss the fun of chemistry.
One of our classmates studied physics in the university, and ended up in engineering. His greatest interest in high school was history. Would he study history in the university? I don't think so. He is now back to his interest and does some personal research in history. That is his hobby and interest. I think that would be more satisfactory than his present career.
After "early" retirement, we have all the opportunities to pursue our primary goal and interest.
It will become our second career. As a result we may consider retirement as a chance to develop a second career - this time is for interest and not merely for money - the greatest satisfaction in life.
Some people take early retirement to take care of the old and enjoy the young. As our parents are getting old, they become more lonely. They spent more than 10 years taking care of their children. Some feel that they should take care of them when they need them. It is very cruel to send them to the retirement home, though is is a reality. Some married early, and they already have grandchildren. It would be wonderful to have more time to enjoy our grandchildren while we still have the energy chasing after them. There is not much time that our grandchildren need us.
Do you still rememnber the first time you tried to find a job? The usual reply is either no vacany or no experience. It is especially difficult to find a position in an the academic institutuion. It is quite disappointed that the young Ph.Ds could not find a job after spending 10 years in the university. The reason - most of the senior professors would not retire (because it is tensured).
These professors become the deadwoods in the university. Their knowledge is getting stale, and yet the university can't do a damn thing. As a result, the university is forced to change their hiring policy. I am not discussing this point. My point is that early retirements provide opportunities to the young and energetic people to pursue their ideal and goals.
Societies have changed. Every government is cutting services. A lot of services rely on volunteers. Recently I went for cataract surgery. There was not enough nurse in the ward. I observed an old lady who was doing all the odd jobs. She walked slowly but work diligently. She put me in a comfortable chair. After surgery, she gave me some cookies and a soft drink. She wheelchaired me to the front door when I left. I talked to her and she told me she was very happy to be a volunteer and to pay back something to the society. A simple but touching story!
We have taken so much from the society (or from other ordinary people). Early retirement gives us an opportunity to give something back to the society.
Don't be mistaken that I am encouraging people to take early retirement. I just want to clarify the myth of of retirement. It is NOT a passive decision. In fact it is a very progressive move, if you plan it very carefully.
Some people say that they retire because of poor health
Some people say that they retire because they get frustrated in the ever-changing work place.
Some people say that they retire because they want to enjoy life (as the motto of lottery : Freedom 55)
Others say that they would not retire because they enjoy their work.
Others also say that they would not retire because they were born to be workhorses (workaholic).
No matter what, we have to retire at some time (or drop dead on the job). But when is the right time and right moment? It is a myth, and there is no standard formula.
But I can tell you that most people retire NOT because of poor health, frustrated, not enjoying work, having enough saving .........
On the contrary most people retire (young, 55-60) because they find something more important to do in life.
If you are the lucky one, your present job is your career and your interest. But for most of us, our present job (career) is only for bread and butter. Sometimes it is not "really" our original goal or interest. To give you an example. My greatest interest in high school was chemistry and I had no doubt about that. As a result, I pursed my university education in chemistry. However during the 70s, the job market in chemistry was not very bright. In order to get my "bread and butter", I needed to change field (the first wrong move, too practical). It ended up doing research in forestry (which I have no training at all). However it feeds me and my family very well. I have no regret and complain about that, and I have a very fulfilling career. However, there is still a lack of satisfaction in my career - I miss the fun of chemistry.
One of our classmates studied physics in the university, and ended up in engineering. His greatest interest in high school was history. Would he study history in the university? I don't think so. He is now back to his interest and does some personal research in history. That is his hobby and interest. I think that would be more satisfactory than his present career.
After "early" retirement, we have all the opportunities to pursue our primary goal and interest.
It will become our second career. As a result we may consider retirement as a chance to develop a second career - this time is for interest and not merely for money - the greatest satisfaction in life.
Some people take early retirement to take care of the old and enjoy the young. As our parents are getting old, they become more lonely. They spent more than 10 years taking care of their children. Some feel that they should take care of them when they need them. It is very cruel to send them to the retirement home, though is is a reality. Some married early, and they already have grandchildren. It would be wonderful to have more time to enjoy our grandchildren while we still have the energy chasing after them. There is not much time that our grandchildren need us.
Do you still rememnber the first time you tried to find a job? The usual reply is either no vacany or no experience. It is especially difficult to find a position in an the academic institutuion. It is quite disappointed that the young Ph.Ds could not find a job after spending 10 years in the university. The reason - most of the senior professors would not retire (because it is tensured).
These professors become the deadwoods in the university. Their knowledge is getting stale, and yet the university can't do a damn thing. As a result, the university is forced to change their hiring policy. I am not discussing this point. My point is that early retirements provide opportunities to the young and energetic people to pursue their ideal and goals.
Societies have changed. Every government is cutting services. A lot of services rely on volunteers. Recently I went for cataract surgery. There was not enough nurse in the ward. I observed an old lady who was doing all the odd jobs. She walked slowly but work diligently. She put me in a comfortable chair. After surgery, she gave me some cookies and a soft drink. She wheelchaired me to the front door when I left. I talked to her and she told me she was very happy to be a volunteer and to pay back something to the society. A simple but touching story!
We have taken so much from the society (or from other ordinary people). Early retirement gives us an opportunity to give something back to the society.
Don't be mistaken that I am encouraging people to take early retirement. I just want to clarify the myth of of retirement. It is NOT a passive decision. In fact it is a very progressive move, if you plan it very carefully.
