There's no better time to finish "In Xanadu" than right now, when I am eager to escape to another world, if not physically at least mentally, away from the depressing virus news and the seemingly never ending lockdown. Yet I'm not able to proceed from the 27% mark of the book which I had forced … Continue reading “In Xanadu”
Month: March 2020
Roosevelt Park
Every time I pass Roosevelt Park, I think about forgetting you. In that long forgotten corner not far from the parking lot, the basketball courts, and the lake, we had our office picnic. I forget exactly what I did and didn't do-- eating, chatting, sitting, walking, but what I really want to forget is your … Continue reading Roosevelt Park
To Call or Not to Call
To call or not to call, it's a dilemma since the invention of telephone. I want to call you, to hear you say you are OK, not sick, not forgetting me, not attached. Well, I am not too ambitious-- just not sick will be sufficient. The call will be a surprise to you, an embarrassment … Continue reading To Call or Not to Call
Rumors
There's a rumor that all the Asian grocery stores in the region are going to be shut--dwindling supplies, scared cashier quitting jobs, and probably the stress of keeping up with the cleaning of the aisles and the protection of the staff. Face masks are nowhere to be found for a while and it would be … Continue reading Rumors
You and Me
I imagine you are sick, lying in a hospital bed. I want to come to you, to help you, even if just to lift your spirit. Suddenly sickness and death seems not so far away in the era of coronavirus. Death will make nothingness out of our love. I am not a Buddhist; I can't … Continue reading You and Me
Reading “Ego Is the Enemy”
It should be named "Ego Is Both the Friend and the Enemy". The story of Howard Hughes is very interesting--the worst businessman ever who is famed for losing money in every business adventure he's involved in, lol. Although I don't know much about all these prominent figures, I somehow watched "The Aviator", probably dragged to … Continue reading Reading “Ego Is the Enemy”
How Do I Remember You
How do I remember you? "Let me count the ways" like Elizabeth Browning. Well, I am not an invalid and no poet. We are too ordinary to boast "the depth and breadth and height", too cool to call up the "old grief" or "childhood faith". I remember you with your polite smile and I guess … Continue reading How Do I Remember You
Rereading “S & S”
I've read this book long time ago, but can't remember much about it; I've watched the movie a long time ago, with Ang Lee as the director, but can't remember anything except Hugh Grant as Edward--a great portrayal of the role, exactly as what Jane Austen had portrayed him. Emma Thompson played Elinor, who's a … Continue reading Rereading “S & S”
A Chance Encounter
"Excuse me. Can she steer the wheel so that I can push the van?" A driver said to us, his van dead by the roadside. It's an empty street and no other passersby available. We could be his last resort. I was a little insulted. Do I look like a feeble woman unworthy to be … Continue reading A Chance Encounter
A Nearby Park
A surprise discovery of a nearby park today--no need to drive to the wooded area near Menlo Park Mall, or to the walking trails near Rutgers University. The real distance between this park and where I live is only 1500 feet, but there's no direct road possible. I have to walk the opposite direction, pass … Continue reading A Nearby Park
About Austen
Another round of reading of Austen books. After finishing P&P, Mansfield Park, Persuasion, and Emma, I proceed to S&S. It has become a routine for me every once in a while. I could have used the time to read books about modern women or something more informative. I could and I should. I acknowledge it … Continue reading About Austen
I Wonder
I wonder where you are, in Woodbridge, Red Bank, Edison? I hope you are healthy, in the era of spreading virus and frayed nerves. I hope you never grow old, and in my mind you never will. Woodbridge is in the news, with mounting infection. You don’t live there anymore, I pray. Wherever you are, … Continue reading I Wonder
Am I Positive?
There's a new drive-through virus testing place in Monmouth County opening up. I really want to know if I am one of those people who's positive but without symptoms. Should I go? My friend said that I need to drink a large cup of hot tea to raise my temperature first before I can be … Continue reading Am I Positive?
Love and Hate of Cooking
Cooking has become a part of my daily entertainment since the virus locked down began. I've had a love hate relationship to cooking all my life, starting from the day when I heard my mom complaining about the responsibility of cooking. That was a sunny day and we were about to have lunch. I pointed … Continue reading Love and Hate of Cooking
Reading “The 48 Laws of Power”
I bought this book on sale from Audible and thought that it should be named, "The 48 Laws of Wicked Power". Intelligence is used for manipulation, kindness for popularity, generosity for future advantage, agreeableness for influence. It's a bit too depressing to read. I can just imagine anybody who practices these 48 laws will soon … Continue reading Reading “The 48 Laws of Power”
Rereading “Emma”
The reason I reread "Emma" is because I watched a video of Dr. Cornel West who said that "Emma" is his favorite book among all Austen's books. I've heard this line before, but never really thought about it much until now. I thought "Emma" is not as good as "Pride and Prejudice" in its sarcastic … Continue reading Rereading “Emma”
Romance in the Mind
Somehow it feels that a big jump in the number of virus cases will come soon. The grim foreboding. You don't want to face it, but you feel that you can hear the approaching sound of terror. Today the number of virus cases are climbing a frightening steep curve to 427 in New Jersey. Maybe … Continue reading Romance in the Mind
Uncertainty
Somehow I can’t concentrate today, for unknown reasons. Reading “In Defense Women”, no concentration; reading “Emma”, without going forward for several pages; writing is equally without progress. Feeling my own weakness and lack of improvement, but still dreaming of improvement. Reasoning cannot deter a person’s unreasonable thoughts about herself, me being the best example of … Continue reading Uncertainty
Reading “In Defense of Women”
I select this book purely for its name, the kind of judging a book by its cover, which I confess that I've always practiced even if I hate myself doing that. Mencken is mostly jesting and never being serious. So some of the negative reviews are really taking him too seriously, which he had no … Continue reading Reading “In Defense of Women”
Reading “1876”
I've read "Burr" and so I think reading this sequel is inevitable. Since I am not so familiar with the early history of the States, I don't quite know which characters are fictional and which characters are historical figures. The same for the book "Burr". Is Charles Schermerhorn Schuyler a real historical figure? It really … Continue reading Reading “1876”
