Thursday night hiking of Mount LianHua
Time: 7:30pm, July 14th
place: Mount LianHua. Southern entrance opposite to Children's Hospital
Let me know if any of you would like to go. My cell is 13798312671.
6.16 journal
Accumulating virtue at Mount Lotus
I haven't been to Mount Lotus for a few weeks. Today, I started jogging again. Passing through the heavy traffic, I jogged to the west gate of Mount Lotus.
"Young man, could you help me carrying this bag?" I was stopped by a lady who is carrying a huge bag. She is quite thin, looks around 40, with a heavy Cantonese accent.
"Where are you going?" I asked cautiously, thinking about the traps I experienced before and the traps I heard.
"I'm going to the pond. This bag is too heavy." She replied.
"ok." I said with some hesitation,"what's in the bag?"
"loach.(ni qiu). I'm setting them free."
I started to feel a bit ashamed and picked up the bag, full of water. Being curious, I asked lots of questions while we were walking towards the pond. She bought these loach from the market and took a taxi to here. Lucy loach. She is a Budhaist and a vegetarian, but only started to believe in Budha a few years ago. She told me repeatedly that I was accumulating virtues(Ji De) by helping her carry the bags. I assured her that I will carry these bags to the pond regardless.
The pond looks more beautiful than ever, probably knowing a few more lives would stay in her arms. Beside the lake, beneath the trees, she started to pray in the breeze. I was a little moved and left her quietly.
Jogging twice to the top, my heart was filled with pleasure. Everyone in park seems to be happy, relaxed, some singing, some reciting a poem. Rain stopped. Back to the pond, the lady has gone, left with the bliss of solitude. Her loach must be happily back to nature. So am I.
PS. Reminds me of a cliche: Don't do it just because it only does little harm. Don't avoid doing it just because it only does liitle good.
Spiritual goodness! The moral code is disappearing, for many cheats are prevailing nowadays which make us alertic to avoid the traps.
"For many, the yearning of their spiritual nature are expressed by church. For others, spirituality manifests itself as concern for those around them. "
Really appreciate your cliches very much.
virtue has the fruit of goodness.
6.23 journal
Very few people in the park, mostly older people. Did not meet the lady who set loach free last week so I wasn't able to JiDe this time. The pond is peaceful, especially with the beautiful songs by the frogs. Rain patting leaves as Cicadas（Chan） also join the chorus. Here is what they sang:
Forget your trouble, forget your pills,
Put aside, your monthly bills,
Let your heart, with pleasure fills,
Dances up, to Lotus hills.
that time i had a walk with my wife in the drizzle .
tomorrow i will be there at 7:30 PM.
yaoji,sorry.my night hiking is cancelled now.
no problem.
6.30 journal
The rain stopped just before I stepped out. Fresh air, cool weather, perfect for the hiking. As I finished jogging, walking towards the southern gate, I was drawn by some music, "Shepherd Su Wu". A group of people was practising Tai-Chi beside the lake. Chatting with a man dressed in traditional Chinese costume, I realized that he is a master of Chen Style small frame Tai-Chi. He is teaching here everyday and I noticed all students are elderly people. He showed me the complete 70 movements that he is teaching. The movement is quite beautiful, especially with the traditional costume. It'll take a month to learn if I come to learn every day.
I was never interested in KongFu before but as I grow older, I found that I become more and more interested in these folk arts. Just listening to the folk music, slowly moving their body, they looked quite submerged in enjoyment. Maybe I'll learn it oneday.
It seems Yaoji has a lot of interests such as Hiking, Biking and Para-glider. Look forward to the day when I see you strike Tai-Chi, dressing in a traditional costume.
As for me, I do not consider to take up Tai-Chi before age 40's. Currently, I prefer butterfly-dance more.
Lend me a space.
Jun.30
I went wenhuagong to swim : Jobs made me a little bit worn out. I wondered if I could have strength to strike in the water. It was drizzling. People were hiding their gloomy faces under umbrella. I told myself I should go ,otherwise the mould would soon have patronage on me. So I went.
No much swimmers in deep water zone. There were only 4-5people. Due to rains,the water was high up to the edge of pool. The pool of water like a plump lady, kept shaking her waves and her rippling eye sights. I jumped into her. Sometimes I could not find the right feeling between motion and buoyancy. But the feeling of yesterday was ok. I kept swimming for 100M and stopped for a rest,then went for another 150M. I was still not good at long distance but I was making progress. It seemed climbing hills never made me so tired ,i think,because I have not adapted to breathe in water and I did not persist.
A boy could swim very fast. He had reached the termination while I was till in the half way. He was lifeguard in this pool. He was very kind to tell me what were mistakes in my acts: "Your hands' strike shall not exceed 140angles while you gonna hold the water. Instead of kicking behind, you legs shall be kicked aside slantingly to reach biggest motion. After that hold your legs to keep balance of body. "
His words were effective which made the swim less arduous. The night had fallen. The lights played shadow in the bottom of pool. The dance of lights were weaving an elegant blanket in water palace. Before, I felt the light's shadow at the pool was awful. Since I was capable to swim more freely, I found it pretty indeed. They had rhymes of waves.
Jul.2 to Jul.3
For successive two days, I have been in Wenhuagong to swim. No teammate from Liangqi came. I remember last year many teammates gathered here, competing and exchanging experiences, while I, as a beginner kept watching with admiration their dragon-like performance. Water was still that water. Pool was still that pool. Only people were not those with whom I was familiar. The lifeguard was the only person with whome I could have a little chat. He had completed his 1000M while I swam over 500M. "Wonderful." I praised. He shaked his head, "No, my lung gets some problem because of heavy smoking." 1000M already makes me tired. You look, that old lady comes here everyday to swim across 2000-3000M." By his finger's direction, I saw an aged lady swam leisurely without any signal to give up. I heard the life-guard kept coughing. Looking at his healthy tanned skin,I thought,"If I will love a man much, pray he does not smoke too much. That is because I hope my man will be free of disease, safe and sound to accompany me in life sailing until we both become very very old with pretty wrinkles and without teeth, I could say,"darling, thank you for accompanying me to swim across the life pool." Then we could sit in beach of heaven and have a permanent rest together...
Opps, I had a little water choke, so I stopped the unrealistic illusion and got out of water. Since I begin swimming better, the stay in water becomes shorter and shorter for realizing the bleached water does no good for skin and eyes. I usually swam from 6:00Pm to 7:00PM so that I still have some time left for cooking dinner for myself.
On the way back, I passed RenMin Park. I ever lived around here two years ago, often came here to walk alone by the lake, or dance a lonly dance. Some gardenia has been planted presently, bestowing me fragrance until I reached bus station. Then I smelt my yet-moist hair sweet and soft flying like wings in night wind.
JUL.17
I am gradually turning from terrestrial to amphibious animal, being not so timid to water as before. A friend told me when you get adapted to everything you met, happiness will come upon you. Limbs as fin, I play games with water, which makes me love life better, for when you stop breathing air in water, you will recognize breath is so important for us. It is a blessing that I still can meditate clearly in water. One time, I even imagine that I can meet a white waves riden prince. Stretch your hands lined with your straight legs, while body in moment is in a beeline, it is so called "streamline". Think about dorado, that is it. I turn waist to reach opposite direction. It is felt I am as tender as weed.
Accumulating Happiness and Health
Mt. Lotus has become my most favorite place during the stay in sz so far. I would be a little bit different if I moved here two years ago. Yet it is not late to move in this area currently.
Like an early bird, in every morning, I jog on the lawn. I meet friendly old people at the site equipped with mechanical appliance for physical exercises. One old woman,with her leg hanging from an iron bar and her head pointing toward ground greets me," Good morning. I see everyday you wear a hat."
"Good morning. mmh...It will protect my hair from dust and coldness. Does Headstand do any good? I see everyday you play headstand." I ask.
"Being old, I am incapable to think reversely. To play headstand probably will make it possible. Haha..." I laugh too. This woman is very humorous. I like her. It is not easy for a lady in her age to play headstand due to high blood pressure.
I keep going. Then I meet an old couple who are playing a kind of feather ball. It is like a slow motion of playing badminton. The lady accepts the ball slowly and patiently from her partner. The ball stays on the racket for seconds, then the lady starts to send it back gracefully to her man. Vice versa. I am amazed at their harmonious "give and take" . It seems older they grow, purer they become.
The lawn is full of active and encouraging atmosphere. Birds bravely walk among us. Falling leaves in the early winter have embroidered a natural blanket in a green background. Bees do not hover around flowers. They prefer to fly down and smell the light fragrance of grasses.
It is quite different when I step in the lawn again after one day' labor. It is quiet with few people. Grasses under a whole day's sunshine has become softer, like a mattress for a fairy. Darkness is so dear that I feel I am walking on the edge of the city.
"Do you see a cat passing by?" Two guards with elec. torch ask me.
"No." I say, thinking the cat shall be sleeping and guarding near the nest of birds in the bushes for I hear birds' sweet somniloquy. I also hear the muttering of crickets. At the same time, I hope the missing cat can also be asked by these two guards,
"Do you see a girl passing by?"
In the next day, the two guards without recognizing me stop me ,"Well, it is dangerous to wander around here at nights."
I smile in darkness, dodging the torch. " It is a way to my home."
I am not alone actually. I see a boy and a girl are kissing in a bench. I see a man sitting lonely is lighting a cigarette. Sometimes, I imagine it is him. Another man walking by is sending mobile message. He is not him again. I keep going on and on until I fall into solitude.
A moon is lying above the ridge of Mt. Lotus.
"Good night. Moon." I hear her blessing. And I hear her reciting a poem from a friend,
Forget your trouble, forget your pills,
Put aside, your monthly bills,
Let your heart, with pleasure fills,
Dances up, to Lotus hills.
Lend me a space again.
I wake up early today. It is a warm winter. The window is opened and the wind goes through a whole night, bringing the dreams of Mt. Lotus. Two leaves sticking in the trousers thanks to yesterday's hiking in the lawn fall in front of the bed. I shake the trousers again and put on for morning jog towards the office. I am happy and refreshed. It seems I have regained quite a good mood which is similar to what I felt in 25years old to encounter whatever I will suppose to meet. The water tap is irrigating the lawn. Flowers in different colors are welcoming the Spring while the Winter is still prevailing.
I imagine that I am a Mediaeval girl. The hat shall be with flower laces. The skirt be in hencoop-style swaying the most romantic air. The lawn slope reminds me the movie plot that the Princess of Australia,i.e, Xixi drifts down the lawn towards her king. She is really my favorite during my young girlhood. She disappears in my mind for quite a long time and now she comes back.
I am looking for mimosa. I like teasing this kind of plant. The simple touch will make it shrink. The shrink probably will make it alive and active. Why not let her perform this function which is bestowed by nature. I have found more than 5 clusters of mimosas under the trees and flowers. They are very cute. I find strong rays will also make them shrink.
Passing by a kindergarten near to Mt. Lotus, I watch two young girls are teaching children Disco. The music is rhythmical and fresh. The dance is free. In our generation, we have no chance to be taught this kind of music. The generations go on. They will have their own happiness. Really they will.
It is raining hard. It seems I am the only person walking on the lawn of Mt. Lotus tonight. The rains drop into grasses patiently and silently. There are all rains around me.
It is not wise to walk here in rainy days. Water makes the lawn become a swamp. With me as nonentity under the umbrella, rains keep pouring in. I admire those trees. Don't they be afraid of rains in Winter? However they enjoy the rain's caress. The density of leaves filter the rains and pat my umbrella in away of rhythmic music. I hum a classic english song of "Rhythm of the Rain " thanks to which I do not feel lonely in the big big rainy world. I just wanna change the mentioned girl in the song to be a man. Then it will be exactly for me.
Listen to the rhythm of the falling rain,
Telling me just what a fool I've been.
I wish that it would go and let me cry in vain,
And let me be alone again.
The only girl I've ever loved has gone away.
Looking for a brand new start
But little does she know that when she left that day.
Along with her she took my heart.
Rain, please tell me, now does that seem fair
For her to steal my heart away when she don't care
I can't love another, when my heart's somewhere far away.
The only girl I've ever loved has gone away.
Looking for a brand new start
But little does she know that when she left that day.
Along with her she took my heart.
Rain, won't you tell her that I love her so
Please ask the sun to set her heart aglow
Rain in her heart and let the love we knew start to grow.
Listen to the rhythm of the falling rain,
Telling me just what a fool I've been.
I wish that it would go and let me cry in vain,
And let me be alone again.
Ooh listen to the falling rain...
I am heading towards the mansion of Lotus to watch a movie. I have heard that the mansion will be closed in the end of this year with 2weeks to come. It is not easy to persist on a pure pursuit of culture and art in this young immigrant city. As a matter of fact, the mansion can not balance the limited revenue and greater expenditure. It is rather a pity. It has carried many good nights of mine. To watch movies is not the only reason for my frequent visit. To meet and communicate with friends here is becoming a substantial supplement to the outdoors in my spare time.
I walk along the ridge of Mt. Lotus. The buildings in the Lotus Road are parallelized to the hills.
This is a weekend. People coming from every part of the city go uphill to view the statue of Mr. Deng Xiao Ping with reverence and the most luxury skyscrapers in the central area.
The lake with Lotus faded becomes the fishing site. Citizens bring their expertised fishing equipment, throw threads far across the lake. sit in their small chairs then wait patiently.
"To fish is in order to release a fish. But when a fish falls into the love with fishing hook and is tempted by hurt, the fish can not save itself." I think.
I sit by the lake and open my book. From the slope comes the music of minority Dai's calabash flute. Under an old banyan, a middle-aged man is playing "The Depth of Bamboo Forest". The music shows the charm of bamboo's dances in the wind. Another man takes his turn to play "Er Hu" called " Horse Racing". The rhythm is airy and brisk. The performance is amazing. The man not only pulls and pushes the string in traditional way but also hits the handle and pats the end to imitate the fast rhythm of a horse or hundred horses' running clop. The traditional music is so overwhelmingly impressive and moving that all of the listeners forget to return home while the darkness falls.
A lady begins to sing Sister Liu's Folk songs with a man. Every sound is lingering in the air, vibrating and penetrating.
All performers are totally immersed in their strong interest in music.
They come here every weekend to show their love in music and teach us that the Life is beautiful. The charm of folk music will be appealing to generations.
An aged man sings "Wondering". His song is very young and strong. He sings as belows:
Wandering
Wandering people miss you, dear mother.
Wandering feet go across the ends of the Earth, without a home near
Winds in Winter mixed with snow flakes, run my tear.
Wandering, wandering, how much golden days disappear
Little grasses in Spring is shooting up in bud, here comes another Spring and Summer
Little grasses in Spring is shooting up in bud, her comes another Spring and Summer
流浪的人想念你 亲爱的妈妈，
流浪的脚步走遍天涯 没有一个家，
冬天的风啊夹着雪花 把我的泪吹下，
走啊走啊走啊走 走过了多少年华，
春天的小草正在发芽 又是一个春夏,
春天的小草正在发芽 又是一个春夏；
I hum the tune with the singer. The tears is coming up. This is not only a song for a son but also for a daughter, especially in a city we spent the youth with nobody. I feel a little bit cold now. The lights in the park are on. I need go to eat now. To eat will make me think of nothing temporarily.
Near to the gate, in the falling darkness, it is to my surprise that I find the heard so called "Love Bridge" set up by some retired elders. I have heard that parents instead of their children come here to look for their son-in-law or daughter-in-law because their children are too busy to date and think of love and marriage. Today it is too late to see the amazing scenery. A few girls come bravely to show the elders their ID card and request the input of their personal data in a paper slip. Then the elders will write some of their data into a post hung in 2ropes between trees. Most of comers are girls. Comers' birthday ranges from 1947 to 1988. Most of them are in their thirties.
Near to the elder's "Love Bridge", there is a small group of young people who are discussing the activities going to be in Christmas Eve. They are from a website which was originally served for schoolmates in a medical college for communication among them. Gradually it has become a club for friendship, love and marriage. The success rate is not so convincible. People just wanna try. Without try, the possibility will be the least.
All the phenomenons are natural. The yearning for love and marriage is prevailing for those single people in this lonly city. The demand comes from the need.
Merry Christmas
Today, when I get out the building I live, I notice a lot of paper-cut of santa claus are hanging from roof in queue. The air of Christmas is becoming richer. I pass by the Lawn of Lotus Park as usual. Park Culture Festival is held recently in many big parks in sz. The scenery of Park as a public share is more popular than Seaview as for most common people, since the seaside is gradually occupied by richer's villas. The chrysanthemum is blooming well. The red lantern is light by the Sun.
I hear the song of " The Phenix Bamboo in the Moonlight". A group of ladies are dancing with the music. At the other side of the lawn, there is one middle-aged man in white playing Taichi along the music of "Streams From High Mountain" by ancient zither. All noises out of the Lawn seems to be sheltered by their own intoxication. It is so harmonious and peaceful. I remember my colleague had every expressed their care after I told them I would go climbing Mt. Lotus yesterday night, " Please be careful. It is the end of a year. The security around Hill area is not so good." Maybe they are right. I will shorten the lingering time at nights. Instead, I will take longer breaths in the moring so as to enjoy the precious gift bestowed to the central area by Nature.
The Topic of Earthquake
Dec.26.06
She is one of earliest comers for physical exercises. She is a lady in her 70years old. However she looks very young with a spiritual and wrinkless face. According to the chat with her. I get to know that she retired from Goverment Design office 2years ago.
"In May of this year, I walked in this way." She imitates the walking style, with her waist bent and her head lowered. Then, under her husband's persuasion, she begins to have physical exercises in Mt. Lotus everyday. Then comes the miracle. Her waist disease is cured and she can walk with her back in straight way again. Fitful physical exercises will make one energetic and young. This fact strengthens my confidence. I will not longer be afraid of growing older.
A moment later, several ladies come. They begin to discuss the Earthquake.
"I have ever had relatives living in Tangshan. There are only 2women survived from 30 personsin the relative family. One of the women has ever tried best to wake up her sleeping daughter. But her daughter slept soundly. Never woke up when the roof collapsed towards her. One of these 2women afterwards kept creeping on the ground whenever she saw a strange wall. The shadow remains after catastrophe, causing a series of psychological problems. "
"Dec.26 is a cursed day. In this day Indonesia Tsunami happened. Then Taiwan earthquake also occured yesterday, i.e. Dec.26. In this day, a famous man was born in China..."
Yesterday's memory comes.
I was reading by the table. Suddenly I felt a little bit dizzy. The table seemed to shake. The booksheet had a quiver. I looked back to the place of bed and chest. They were in strange trembling silence. The reading lamp seemed befogged. "Earthquake must be occuring somewhere." This was the first thought coming up. The second thought was I imagined there were somebody digging the building bases of this city.
Also It seemed there was a cursed monster snoozing in the core of the Earth. The earthquake came simply because he turned his body for comfort. I wonder what will happen once the monster wakes up one day. The reasons for him to wake up might be he felt thirsty because of desertization or breakage of regional water-soil ecological system Possibly he felt too hot because of the damage of ozonosphere or troposphere. Possibly he smelt the odour due to the sea pollution....
My colleague's mobile short message pulls me out of my imagination. "Hi, J, Earthquake is coming! I am dating with a man. We sit by the table and order from menu, then table moves leftward and rightward. The menu is unsteady too. We look out of window and see a lot of people coming down from the nearby building. They are discussing and look a little nervous as well as exciting."
I replied, "Well, let it come."
I was thinking what most people would do if an unexpected serious Earthquake would turn them to death 5minutes later. For a family, they will hug together and die in a blessing harmony. For a single man or woman, may they call to the person who he or she has ever loved or is loving? I believe there must be this kind of love which is always going beyond the reach of any disasters.
"I love you. Alway do."
That is not bad if in this way. Indeed.
Jan.22.07
The life around the Mt. Lotus is not longer lonely. I make friends with those middle-aged ladies who come for physical exercises.
Today, the lady I talked with yesterday night has taken her husband here. He has his canes to support his handicapped body. Under the help of his wife, he does some hand-up and body-up exercises.
“Would you put off your clothes?” His wife suggests.
“not hot yet.” He smiled to his wife, like a child to his mother. His is more thanks-giving. When I get off the work, I meet them again in the gate of Mt.Lotus North Residential area. They go out for a night walk after dinner. The wife leads the way in front of the husband. It reminds me “Beautiful Mind”.
What a couple! I know this kind of love is imperfect. Yet, it is true love.
"Spring Festival Flower Market" extends from the street right down my office building to the gate of Mt. Lotus. The atmosphere of Spring Festival is thickening. I can see the patches of red spot out of window.
"Is it a big market?" I asks the colleague who just comes back from the Market.
"Yes, it makes quite a scenery."
I pass by the Market on my way home. I find it impressive. At the eastern gate, there are many stands for porcelain. Little objects are delicate. There are angels, bowls, animals statues....pig which is the emblem of lunar chinese year. There are big objects such as basin, vase, ancient beauty statue and so on, whose prices range from hundreds to thousands. In a strict terms, it is not a "Flower Market", but a more appealing Temple Fair. You can also find a lot of delicious foods from overseas, such as korean DaGao, Arabic Baked Lamb, Tianjin GuanTangBao......India music is haunting about to stimulate appetite. Some toys in actual big size stand up to make a booth like a zoo party. Walking along the aisle, there are chains of red candle lanterns, propitious chinese couplets, lucky knots which all appear enthusiastic Red, whileas various plants show their gentle and lively Green at the other side of aisle. Flower fragrance penetrate. Junzi orchid blossoms in golden red. Narcissus springs up sprouts. ..
I leave the lively market behind. The familiar silence of Mt. Lotus like an old acquaintance is in front of me again. While I think of my coming trip to Vietnam and Cambodia, I meet a moving Scenery. An old man is walking totteringly backwards. I mean he walks by facing his direction with his back. His wife is going forwards, facing to face to him. His wife wears very thick glasses. Then I understand she has a very weak eye sight. In order to protect her from uneven places or potholes, he leads the way by reverse-walk, keeping directing her direction by instruction words and his initial footprints . In this way, they do their night physical exercises.
Happy Valentine! Dear old friends.