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
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”
Virus, Virus
No rubbing alcohol No hand sanitizer No toilet paper No vinegar "Why vinegar?" I asked. "Boil it and the vinegar steam will disinfect." My friend told me. "Try the God and Silver Flower, the herb of little sticks, bitter flavor. It kills the virus." My friend told me too. Well, this is my virus strategy: … Continue reading Virus, Virus
Love Revisited
The building was still there, dark exterior of glass panels, reflecting the blue sky with floating clouds, its weathered uneven face spoiling the effect intended. Still, its silent sturdiness, its presence is a statement--I'm here to stay. It's where we met, where unspoken messages sent, through burning eyes; where sentiments alluded through unsentimental marketing strategies. … Continue reading Love Revisited
Allergy or Not
I haven't seen any flowers around, though it's the early spring, though the weather turns almost 70 degrees today. Yet I have the allergy. It's a sore throat, mild, not bothering me except when swallowing, not getting better or worse but not going away, for a week by now. At first I didn't know it's … Continue reading Allergy or Not
Love In the Era of Coronavirus
I wonder what you are doing. I hope you won't go to a bar, a meeting, a gathering? I hope you don't get the bug. I know you are susceptible-- last time I saw you, you were having a cold. I felt wretched hearing you sniffling, knowing I couldn't help but wished I could. With … Continue reading Love In the Era of Coronavirus
At the Mall–Empty Due to Virus Scare
Menlo Park Mall was quite empty in the evening, compared to its usual state of bustling liveliness. No doubt it's caused by the fear of the new coronavirus, the figure of which climbed to 23 of confirmed cases in New Jersey, according to the hanging flat screen at the dry cleaner. The children's play area … Continue reading At the Mall–Empty Due to Virus Scare
Remembrance
Melancholy remembrance of a good time, too short, too transient, too weak to stand the cruelty of the passing time; of a bad time, too bad, too persisting, too lasting that even time cannot wipe away. Why did you talk as if you were answering questions? Why the strained look on your face as if … Continue reading Remembrance
Reading “The Art of Writing and the Gifts of Writers”
I chose to listen to this book because I like the "The Screwtape Letters" by C. S. Lewis very much. I like to know what he has to say about writing and writers. However I haven't got any useful tips for my own problems in writing. I guess everybody has his own problem and he … Continue reading Reading “The Art of Writing and the Gifts of Writers”
Flu or Not Flu
There's an ache in my throat, sometime better--usually in the morning, sometime worse--usually at night. I thought it would go away but it has lingered, for three days now. A mild form of the most feared coronavirus that is widespread? Who knows. It's so much like a common flu and it's so mild that I … Continue reading Flu or Not Flu
Awkward
I am not afraid of awkwardness. Very often, awkwardness makes me alert, piques my interest, perks me up for explanation. Yet I hate our awkward conversation that day. "They don't look alike." "Well, if you have met those in between them, you'll understand they belong to one family." "I have another question for you ..." … Continue reading Awkward
Reading “Even The Stars Look Lonesome”
I really enjoy this book. The prose is deliberately poetic, but with none of those affected erudition that's hard to understand. From its deliberate simplicity, wisdom and wit are conveyed. I don't think she meant to be funny but there are many humorous places--the marriage to end all marriages, abstract figures that only their labor … Continue reading Reading “Even The Stars Look Lonesome”
Intrusion
Whenever I start to write something, you emerge as if mocking me that I can't write without you, as if begging me to write something for you first, as if reminding me of the awkward dinner party, for which we sat face to face, for which I racked my mind to find something to say, … Continue reading Intrusion
Reread “Mansfield Park”
It's another round of Jane Austen for me. After finishing "P&P", "Persuasion", I am proceeding to "Mansfield Park" and "Emma". I don't think I would go so far to "S & S" and "Northanger Abbey" and "Lady Susan". I draw a line here. I can't help comparing "Mansfield Park" to "Dreams of Red Chamber" since … Continue reading Reread “Mansfield Park”
It’s You Again
I review your websitewith changes once in a while;I follow your LinkedIn account,short of clicking on “connect”.I watched the YouTube videos ofthe Chamber of Commerce luncheon,and the early spring township parade.I download the PDF file with you in it,standing right next to somebody, smiling,or wearing a straw hat in the local primary schoolwith kids all … Continue reading It’s You Again
A Sloth Girl’s Love
Long ago, a morning or an afternoon,exact time forgotten,I was walking towards the auditorium,with several others,along the narrow hallway, that lined withoffices on one side, and administrative cubicles on the other.I don’t know why I turned around, but I did.There you were, at the end of the hallway,your arm resting on the raised desk of … Continue reading A Sloth Girl’s Love
“The Korean War” by Bruce Cuming
After reading "In the Ruins of Empire", my curiosity of Korean War just gets more intense. There are several books to choose from and I hesitated between this one and "The Coldest Winter", which I have it in my kindle library for quite a while but haven't had the time to read. Listening will be … Continue reading “The Korean War” by Bruce Cuming
At the Dumpster
She was several steps before me and went to the recycle bins first. When she turned back to the big dumpster, we met face to face. I was carrying six bags of garbage—all plastic bags which have been a source of my guilt for quite a while as somebody deserving a scolding by an environmentalist. … Continue reading At the Dumpster
It Must Be You
Lights dim, voices simmering,shadows of people standing up or sitting down.Somebody was staring at methrough blurred space.For real or just imagination?Does it matter?It must be you.Even if it’s not you, I would think it’s you.My heart thinks soand won’t allow otherwise.
The Sloth Girl
I accidently saw a Fran Lebowitz video on youtube, in which she talked about her sloth like habit and her indolence. I feel like sloth too, for example, today. Other than reading books, I am motivated to do nothing at all. There are quite a lot of things to do—laundry, checkbook balancing, vacuuming, shopping for … Continue reading The Sloth Girl
Reread “Persuasion”
The book ruined my weekend. I couldn’t put it down before finishing it and ended up spending Saturday and a large portion of Sunday reading through it.I don't know how many times I've read this book, but reading it again enables me to find something new. The narratives are accurate, persuasive, eloquent, and witty. The … Continue reading Reread “Persuasion”
Haoyan Do 