Posted in Curiosity, Medicine, Wellness on Jun 14th, 2007 No Comments »
These days, you have to be careful about what you ask for.
I asked for a medium sized cup of coffee. I is not a good idea to do this without looking at just how big is a medium sized cup. What I got was the tower of coffee. It is quite possible that I just [...]
Posted in Curiosity, Language, Wellness on May 10th, 2007 No Comments »
Affirmations never worked for me. They are like lost post-it notes from another dimension, lacking a certain verve, and calling to a dream that might be best forgotten.
Taiwanese stationary on the other hand, incorporates the best of intentions, with the slight twist of English that is not wrong, but neither is it quite right.
It speaks [...]
Posted in China, Curiosity, Travel on Apr 15th, 2007 4 Comments »
It is a kaleidoscope of sizzle and boil, clanging, chatter, horns, slurping and the ever present squeaking of wheels. At at time when most Americans are stumbling through coffee, the Chinese have swarmed onto the breakfast street.
.
.
Soup and noodles.
Bao zi, you tiao, cigarettes and cabbage.
Steamed buns, rice gruel, flat breads, fruits.
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.
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Tables that spill into [...]
Posted in China, Curiosity, Language, Travel on Apr 11th, 2007 2 Comments »
The oddest thing about being here in China this time….
…..is that it does not [...]
Posted in Curiosity, Language on Mar 21st, 2007 No Comments »
My friend Ronnie in Taiwan has been there learning Chinese for a year and half now. As I recall, having lived there long enough to know how the seasons turn through the years, after a period of time, you begin to realize just what you have gotten yourself into. Ronnie has it right:
A year and [...]
Posted in Curiosity, Medicine on Mar 18th, 2007 2 Comments »
The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds the most discoveries, is not “Eureka!” (I found it!) but “That’s funny…”
~Isaac Asimov
Posted in China, Curiosity, Taiwan on Feb 13th, 2007 No Comments »
Temples in Taiwan are freckled everywhere. They can be small as a phone booth, or sprawl a whole city block. They are populated with statues, smoke and prayers. Old people while away the afternoon, students pray for passing grades, prayer beads are mumbled over and shined by hands in constant motion.
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All temples have their particular [...]
Posted in Acupuncture, Curiosity, Health, Medicine, Wellness on Feb 8th, 2007 No Comments »
It is a common question. I hear it all the time.
All acupuncturists hear it.
All the time.
Can acupuncture treat backache, asthma, assist weight loss, depression……?
Can acupuncture help me with my memory, my lack of energy, my annoying boyfriend……..?
Will acupuncture cure my urinary infection, reduce my appetite, erase my wrinkles, take 20 years off my knees?
These [...]
Posted in Curiosity, Health, Medicine, Wellness on Jan 6th, 2007 No Comments »
One of my teachers likes to say:
There is what the patient thinks is going on
There is what the doctor thinks is going on
Then there is what is actually going on
This is not to say that patients are enmeshed in a world of subterfuge , or that doctors don’t know what they are doing.
It’s more to [...]
Posted in Curiosity, Health on Jan 1st, 2007 No Comments »
I’ve had two Asian friends who live Asia, and one who lives in America, ask me …
What is your new year’s wish?
They did not say resolution.
They said 希望.
Wish.
At first I tried to correct to them,
then realized it was me that needed correction.
It is not about instant transformation.
It’s about being mindful of your choices.
What is [...]