Wakling cup

This is a gift from my former housemate Crisanto. He is a really fun guy and very artistic. Unfortunately when I wanted to know more of this man, he left LA for Michigan.

Book Review: The Call of the Wild

Image source: http://www.hautman.com/jim.html

Some phrases have the mysterious power to arouse the deep hidden feelings in your heart. "The call of the wild" is one of them. Since the first time I heard about this phrase at junior high school, it has been carved in my memory. From time to time it comes into my mind, sometimes when I am actually longing for the wildness, sometimes when I need to made decisions in front of uncertainties. The phrase is not only associated with adventure, deserts, mountains, forest, rivers, breast, but also associated with freedom, courage and ambition.

This phrase has been inspired and excited me since then. But it is not until now that I read the novel with the same name. This novel is authored by Jack London. The story is set in Alaska during the Gold Rush. The main character, a dog named Buck, who was raised in Santa Clara Valley as a domestic dog, was accidentally abducted to Alaska where he served as a toil dog. From the original world of love and peace to the world of fang and club (fight and blood), the hidden instinct of his ancestors emerged and finally Buck returned to a pack of wolves, living a life of his ancestors in the great plain of Alaska.

Besides this theme of Buck's struggle, I am more impressed by another theme: the process of a man growing up and adapting to the society. From this view of point, it talks about friendship, loyalty, loneliness, work ethic and determination.

We can interpret Buck's life at Judge Miller's mansion as a man's childhood. It is a troubleless time. As Pink Floyd describes in "The Thin Ice", "mom loves her baby, daddy loves you too". Parents carefully protects you from any dark side of the society.

Then after you grow up and have to face this world by yourself.

You meet different persons. Some of them are your classmates, some your colleagues, some your supervisors. You will discover various facets of humanity.
[to be continued]










The dog book

the cat book

Swimming Diary

Progress:
2008-12-02
OK. my swimming lesson this semester is over this week. I had a great time in the pool. I swam one hour every workday for the whole semester. This semester was stressful and I got some precious relief in the water.

I am preparing for the finals. Here is a link to swimming jargon: http://www.ccbswordfish.org/?p=swimming_vocab
A book on swimming training http://tiny.cc/Oq0t9


2008-11-17
Today I picked up sidestroke. I can do well on the left side, but usually leaped backward too much on the right side.

2008-11-14
I did not swim as much as before because the course work is heavy; Additionally, we switch to winter time now, as a result it is already dark when PED pool opens. I cannot see clearly.

I swam one hour this noon. I have mastered some basic skills; now I need to focus on balance and endurance.

2008-11-01

"Michael Phelps & me"



2008-10-29
Four full freestyle laps! Hurry!


2008-10-22
A remarkable progress: I somehow learned to breathe in freestyle, though it seemed awkward, un-orchestrated, and lack of rhythm. I was really excited when I suddenly found myself swimming across half lap.

Also I began to practice breaststroke.

Keep swimming! Floating Rock!

The amazing beauty of dolphin kicking: just like a fish

2008-10-15
"A rock got such a good score!"
Thank you, William!
I should be practitioner, but not be satisfied with being a theorist

2008-10-14
It was an busy and depressing week last week because of midterms and homeworks. I didn't swim as often as before.

Now I am preparing for the swimming course midterm. Here are some notes:
1. History of Swimming
Founder of Red Cross swimming program: Wilbert E. Longfellow
Dominant swimming stroke used in Europe in the 16th century: breaststroke

2. Survival Swimming

H.E.L.P
Short for Heat Escape Lessening Posture.

1. Keep your legs together
2. Press both arms against your upper body
3. Keep your head out of the water

This position protects core area of the body from rapid heat loss.

Disrobing

Disrobe yourself of your shoes, socks, pants, belt, shirt, hats, etc. Inflate trousers for shirts as a floating device.

Riptides
Riptides, or rip currents, are long, narrow bands of water that quickly pull any objects in them away from shore and out to sea. They are dangerous but are relatively easy to escape if you stay calm. Do not struggle against the current. Most riptide deaths are not caused by the tides themselves. People often become exhausted struggling against the current, and cannot make it back to shore. Do not swim toward shore. You will be fighting the current, and you will lose. Swim parallel to shore, across the current. Generally speaking, a riptide is less than 100 ft. wide, so swimming beyond it should not be too difficult.If you cannot swim out of the riptide, float on your back and allow the riptide to take you away from shore until you are beyond the pull of the current. Rip currents generally subside 50 to 100 yards from shore.Once the riptide subsides, swim parallel to shore and then back to shore.

Boating Safety&Equipment
emergency signal
navigation aids: compass, GPS,
life jacket
navigation lights
communication equipment: radio, cellphone, flares
first aid kit
alternative power: paddles, oares
protective clothing: enough warm clothing
Reference: http://www.doityourself.com/stry/equipment

Sculling
Sliding the hands back and forth through the water creates a force perpendicular to the direction of the movement. This action is know as sculling. In chest-deep water, put your hands out in front of you with your fingers straight and close together. Turn your palms out and sweep your hands and forearms out to the side beneath the surface, then turn your palms in and sweep back to the center. If you scull continuously, you'll be tracing an elongated figure eight. Sculling is used extensively in back float.

Alternate breathing
Breathing every third stroke, you alternate breathing on opposite sides

Hypoxic Breathing
Breath control swimming such as underwater swimming or breathing every fifth or seventh stroke in Front crawl.

negative split

Swimming a Negative Split means that the second half of the distance is swum at a faster pace than the first half. For example, the following set:

1x 600: Negative Split

asks you to swim the second 300 yards at a faster pace and time than the first 300 yards. The idea is to control your pace at the beginning of the swim so that you have the energy necessary to swim faster at the end of the swim.

flutter kick
In swimming (either front crawl or backstroke), the legs are extended straight out in line with the body and then moved up and down, the one leg kicking downwards as the other leg moves up again. The legs are separated to not enhance wingtip vortices. The toes point in the direction of motion to mimic a hydrofoil. The knees are slightly bent to adjust the angle of attack.
http://www.alexandriamasters.com/articles/flutter.htm


2008-10-02
Now I can finish a complete lap by backstroke, but made little progress in freestyle. The main obstacle is breathe. I gradually learn to lean my head to one side to take a breathe, but when my head gets into the water again, my nose feels very uncomfortable. So I have to grab the curb to take another breathe. This makes me a little bit of frustrated.

But I must say I really enjoy swimming. I go to the pool every workday. My muscle is becoming more powerful and I forget all worries and unhappiness in water. Sometimes I go to the deep water area, take a deep breathe and then immerse myself completely in the water. I hope to learn to how to thread the water soon.

2008-09-22
able to do 12-laps of kicking in the 25-yard pool without much difficulty.
able to swim freestyle across the lap with two or three stops
tried to do backstroke and can do few yards. The key point is to lean your head back and to straighten your body

But still don't learn how to breathe in freestyle. If you do, you can say you are able to swim now. Pay attention to the following points: 1) exhale all air out through the nose when you need to breathe . 2) rotate your head to the right side when right arm stroke back. 3) keep kicking and keep balance; 4) inhale quickly and deeply with the mouse

Also you need to learn to threading water so that you will be able to practice in deep water.

Keep the good work!


Learning Material:
1. Treading Water: Mastering Egg Beater


2. Total Immersion Swimming Lesson


Resources from mitbbs swimming board
http://www.mitbbs.com/article_t/Swimming/31163149.html

"Good Boy"

Here is my car, a Honda Accord of the year 2000. I bought this car about two months ago and gradually began to enjoy this big toy.

Many people are concerned my safety. Especially Laoyifu, who is an experienced driver, called me specially to teach me how to drive safely. His teachings includes: don't drive when you can't calm down; pay your full attention when driving; don't drive with a slippers on; and practice more before driving in freeway . I should feel guilty in regards to the last piece of advice because I mistakenly drove to the freeway on the very first day. I felt a little bit of scared at first; but fortunately there was a heavy traffic at that time as a result the speed was not that fast. I managed to leave the freeway few minutes later. Now I feel more comfortable when driving, both local and freeway, after two months' practice . I would like to thank all people who care about me. As far as now I am all right.

I have driven it to several places around Los Angeles, such as Santa Monica, Getty Center, Six Flags, Chinatown and Huntington Beach. It makes my world even bigger. I love it, good boy!

Live As You'll Die Today

Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today.
- James Dean

Goodbye to Randy Pausch!

It was a coincidence, but it became more meaningful if I linked those two things together.

Yesterday, I first came to know the quotation in the beginning of this post:"Dream as if you'll live forever; live as if you'll die today". At the time I was wondering in Target aimlessly. I just bought a car and drove myself to this super market. It made me feel excited and powerful to control this big toy. But on the other hand, I had a strong feeling I should do something more meaningful. The first year of my PhD life seemed so flat. There was nothing noticeable and I am not sure what I should do in the future. Then I went by the picture & frame section, a poster with a white-black portrait of a serious man attracted my eyes: there were a line saying "Dream as if you'll live forever; live as if you'll die today" and the man was James Dean.

This morning I heard of the death of Randy Pausch in New York Times: Randy Pausch, 47, Dies; His ‘Last Lecture’ Inspired Many to Live With Wonder. I expected this result when I first heard of Randy Pausch: miracles seldom happens in real life. Randy was a virtual reality pioneer, a computer scientists and a professor at CMU. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in Aug. 2006; then he gave a series of lectures called "The Last Lecture" in the year of 2007, which inspired many people thanks to the internet. His most memorable lecture was about his childhood dreams and how he achieved them. If he had ever heard of James' words, he must have a better understanding of it.

It's Cherry Picking Time

It is cherry picking time in Calif. The most popular place near L.A. that has lots of cherry orchards.

Leona Valley (Website http://www.cherriesupic.com/ ) There is a report about this orchards in L.A. Daily News

CHERRY PICKING TIME: It's the season to load up on fresh cherries. For a fun family outing, head to the cherry orchards in the Leona Valley from June 6 through the end of the month.

Although more than two dozen orchards allow consumers to pick their own fruit, times and days vary. Most places provide all the equipment you'll need, including buckets, bags and containers.

Prices likely will average about $2 a pound if you pick your own (a few orchards also sell picked cherries). Take cash since some growers don't take credit cards. Ask if you can taste-test varieties to find the cherry you like the best.

If you go, make the trip worthwhile and pick plenty as the cherries will last two to three weeks in the refrigerator and are easily frozen whole with stems attached for a snack long after the season is over.

To get to the Leona Valley from the San Fernando Valley, take the Antelope Valley Freeway (14) north and exit at Palmdale Boulevard. Go left (west) 10 miles on Palmdale Boulevard to 90th Street and look for the cherry orchard signs. For more information, call the Leona Valley Cherry Growers Association hotline at (661) 266-7118.

The annual cherry parade starts at 10 a.m. June 14 on 90th Street west at Leona Avenue and goes north to Elizabeth Lake Road where it proceeds east. Plan to arrive early in the morning, before the roads close.

There is link to the relatively newly updated information about Leona Valley http://www.chowhound.com/topics/528281

The second place is Beaumont Valley http://www.bcvparks.com/ This place seems to charge a higher fee and is not as popular as Leona Valley.

Finally, I find this website PickOnYourOwn.org http://www.pickyourown.org/CAla.htm

Song Qiang Goes to the Moon

I am Song Qiang and I approve this message: Song Qiang goes to the moon in late 2008. Sorry I can't tell the exact date, which is a top secret presently. I understand that it's not Apr. 1st today. This is a serious message. In case you still suspect, here is the certificate from NASA

Accompanying Song Qiang, Qiang Song and 宋强 will travel in the same spacecraft: Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter.

Song Qiang feels it a great honor to be able to go to the moon. He said :"That is one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind". He sincerely invites all of you to join this travel. If you, like Song Qiang, has a forever lasting Moon dream, why not come along? Click here: NASA's First Step Back to Moon

Memo: Name Certificate # Song Qiang 580152 Qiang Song 579931 宋强 579827

USC Safety Chart

Exactly Speaking, the title should be USC unsafety chart.

The following map shows the distribution of criminal activities around USC area. The data is based on DPS crime alerts since Aug. 16, 2007. From the map we can see four hot spots and one noticeable line. The four spots are W 37th St. & Vermont, Orchard & Jefferson, W 30th St. & McClintock, W. 27th St. & Hoover. The most dangerous line is Hoover St. from USC gate 4 to Adam Blvd.

These hot spots may be explained by the criminals' behavior. They often linger around certain spots. Once they find a right target, they attack and flee. The above spots are hubs from USC campus to students' residence, so it is easy for them to find a target there. And They can easily escape in main streets by car. It's rare that they wait around your residence or break into your residence because its risk is too high for them. So, it matters most on the way from the campus to your residence, and less where you live.

I will update this map when new incident occur (I hope not). You can bookmark this map with this url .



View Larger Map


Disclaimer of Warranty.
THERE IS NO WARRANTY FOR THE MAP AND INFORMATION ABOVE. IT INTENDS TO BE USEFUL, BUT FOLLOW IT AT YOUR OWN RISK

Body Worlds: Our Bodies and Respect for Life

Configuration of the Arteries of the Head and Brain

On Friday afternoon, I went to California Science Center to see the Body Worlds exhibition. The single fact that the work on display are real human corpse make this exhibition the most special one. Before I continue, I would like to introduce the plastination technique. Basically, more than 50% percent weight of our body are water and lipid. Soon after one is dead, anatomist injects a kind of chemicals into the body, which replace the water and lipid. After this treatment, the chemicals polymerizes and solidifies, thus keeping the shape and microscopic structure of the body. It doesn't decay any more even exposed to air. Dr. Gunther von Hagens invented this technique in 1970s. It was initially used for anatomy teaching, and obviously it's scientifically good.

And then Dr. Hagens explores this controversial art form. He makes the bodies posing different postures as they are alive. So, there are runners, warriors, dancers, torchbearers, horse riders, etc. But their muscle and bones are naked. You can also see nerves, arteries and veins. You see with your own eyes the internal structure of human body. But they have not find a ideal way to keep the texture and shape of skin. When you face these plastinationed bodies, they look like sculptures at first glance. But they are real human corpses. That's why this exhibition impressive.

That's also why they have an emotional impact on the audiences. Actually similar exhibitions are not allowed some cities. Though my education in biology tells that human body can in fact be reduced to basic elements, such as carbons and nitrogens, I felt strongly that they are humans, who were alive like me no long ago. This feeling made me tired; I quickly finished this supposedly 3-hour tour in two hours.

I am not religions; I don't believe in the next life. What I am concerned is how to show our respect for life. In most culture, after one man is dead and his/her body is buried to ground; we believe they can return to the nature in this way. I ask myself whether do you like to be plastination-ed or buried or burned after you die. Well, it will be interesting to let my body perpetuate than to let the body decay in the earth or burned to ashes, it hurts me that my body will be peeled, cut and displayed. So, I haven't made up my mind.

References:
1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_worlds
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plastination
3. http://www.bodyworlds.com/en.html
4. There are many related videos in youtube.com, just search "body worlds"

Speak with Respect

The photo shows I stood in front of CNN's Hollywood office on Saturday Apr. 19, 2008. Many people (some estimated 2000~5000) gathered, among which there are Taiwaneses waving flags of China Republic and people from San Diego and Arizona. We, waving Chinese flags and singing Chinese songs, shouted again and again "CNN Liar" and "Cafferty Fire". I saw some Mexicans and black people saluting our demonstration. For the first time, I felt the strong sense of being a Chinese. Though it was not as exciting as I expected, it was worth memorizing.

Here I would like to state two points: 1) why I am angry at CNN and Jack Cafferty; and 2) my thoughts about speech freedom and press freedom.

The first point is straightforward. CNN reported Tibet incident inaccurately. For example it used a picture from Nepal to report what happed in China. Jack Cafferty commented on April 9 on CNN’s political programme, that "I think they're basically the same bunch of goons and thugs they've been for the last 50 years." Though CNN later made a statement saying Cafferty's comments aimed at Chinese government and CNN apologized to those who understood otherwise. But this explanation hardly stands if you listened to Cafferty's comments yourself. I guess Jack Cafferty actually aimed directly at those Chinese people protecting Olympic torch in San Francisco. The number of Chinese people involved in that activity and the passion they showed was astonishing. Besides, Jack Cafferty is jealous with favorable balance of China-US trade. So he attacked the whole Chinese people indeed. Therefore, our demand that Jack Cafferty himself apologize publicly and resign is justifiable.

As for the second point, I admit that we take advantage of the right of free speech and free demonstration in America, which we cannot have in mainland China now. Similar demonstration against CCTV or People's Daily is highly probably prohibited in the name of "harmony" there. In the long run, we Chinese should advance towards the right of free speech and free demonstration. However, the way and the pace they fight for that right should be decided by Chinese people, not by foreign medias. Anyway China is a complicated society with big historical burden, we can only gain the political rights and learn the political skills to use our political rights gradually if we don't want to see blood; certainly we don't. America's model of free speech and free demonstration, though not perfect (see how Jack Cafferty abuses his rights), may be an example for us. At least, I believe those who stood in front of CNN office today will appreciate the value of free speech and free demonstration.

I just noticed that CNN itself reported this event (see http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/04/19/cnn.china/index.html). At this point, I appreciate CNN's courage and frankness, though it may also be a tactic to restore their public image.
[updated Apr. 20, 2008]



I am going to attend the demonstration protesting CNN's inaccurate report on Tibetan incident and Jack Cafferty 's insulting remark against Chinese people. The above is my banner. I just made it myself with whiteboard and pen. It's simple but I hope it conveys my meaning:"If you value freedom of speech, then SPEAK WITH RESPECT".

I love the following quote

The fact that you can possess a gun doesn't mean you can shoot anyone in the campus. Similarly, the fact that you have freedom of speech does not equal to you can insult others.

Tibetan Protests Attack Olympic Torch Holder, Who is a disabled female in wheelchair

As a Chinese, I personally wish the Olympic torch relay will unite people of different belief. I hope it leads to a "journey to harmony" . However, you have the freedom of speech and the right of demonstration. I respect that; indeed your voices are heard. But, take care: don't turn a legal demonstration into a violent turmoil; don't do anything as shown in the following video again (if you choose not to watch this, I call tell you, in this video, Tibetan protestants attacked the Olympic torch holder, who is a disabled female in wheelchair). don't add to our hatred. What happened yesterday makes me worried 'cause you know hatred makes peaceful resolutions more hopeless.

And follow Dalai Lama's teaching (cited from Statement of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to All Tibetans)

8. The hosting of the Olympic games this year is a matter of great pride to the 1.2 billion Chinese people. I have from the very beginning supported the holding of these Games in Beijing. My position on this remains unchanged. I feel the Tibetans should not cause any hindrance to the Games. It is the legitimate right of every Tibetan to struggle for their freedoms and rights. On the other hand, it will be futile and not helpful to anyone if we do something that will create hatred in the minds of the Chinese people. On the contrary, we need to foster trust and respect in our hearts in order to create a harmonious society, as this cannot be built on the basis of force and intimidation.

Homecoming

First I announce I will go back to China this summer. I will stay there for nearly one month: from May 9th to June 6th. I am happy for I will see my family soon and can enjoy the leisurely life at home.

When counting down the days before leaving, I clearly realized that I have been in America for nearly one year. One question came to my mind:"how do you sum up the past year?" In the first glance, the year 2007 was unusual . I graduated from USTC in July and then came to United States, a country many people dreamed of coming to. I started a new life here and of course there were inevitably excitement and challenges though some challenge may seem a small piece of cake. I became acquainted with many people. While studying at USC computational molecular biology program, I allowed myself considerable freedom to enjoy America. Santa Monica, Laguna Beach, Las Vegas, San Diego, San Francisco, Yosemite: I went to some many places (I myself can't believe it!)

However, I feel that I don't have a clear memory of the past year. It seems strange but that's my true feeling. I know I was really excited or disappointed when somethings was happening. For example, the joyful feeling was really from the bottom of my heart when I first saw the beauty of San Diego bay; but that feeling became so distant now that I hardly recall. Maybe my limited memory can't hold so many things. Or it is still too early to give a summary of the past year: the meaning of many things will become clear when we look backward from a longer time scale.

Anyway, I am planning to go back home now. Yesterday a very old song suddenly came into my mind. The last time I listened to this Song dates back to about eight years ago when we still used cassette tape player. That song is Sailing by Rod Stewart.



And the lyrics

SAILING
I am sailing, I am sailing,
Home again cross the sea.
I am sailing, stormy waters,
To be near you, to be free.

I am flying, I am flying,
Like a bird cross the sky.
I am flying, passing high clouds,
To be with you, to be free.

Can you hear me, can you hear me
Thro the dark night, far away,
I am dying, forever trying,
To be with you, who can say.

Can you hear me, can you hear me,
Thro the dark night far away.
I am dying, forever trying,
To be with you, who can say.

We are sailing, we are sailing,
Home again cross the sea.
We are sailing stormy waters,
To be near you, to be free.

Oh lord, to be near you, to be free.
Oh lord, to be near you, to be free,
Oh lord.

Happy New Year of the Rat

Thank you, uncle!

Wish You Were Here

Even if you are a man, it may make you in tears when you listen to Wish You Were Here alone in deep night. For the first time I felt alone in this strange place. I miss badly family, friends and an uncertain "she". I followed Pink Floyd and sang "wish you were here" again and again.

Wish you were here Lyrics
Pink Floyd

How I wish, how I wish you were here.
We're just two lost souls
Swimming in a fish bowl,
Year after year,
Running over the same old ground.
Have we found
The same old fears.
Wish you were here.

And do you know I was singing to you? I guess we are two souls hoping to approach each other, at least I hope so. But I don't know you enough. You made me sometimes happy and some times nervous. I want to take care of you with my whole heart, but real life is full of cheating and betray. How I wish you could show a signal to get me out of all worries; however you face the "same old fears".

Mom, you know I was also singing to you. You made me assured. You loved me without reservation. It is some kind of happiness. I wish you were here. It will come true soon, I promise, mom.