It is a sunny day in London, as I cross the green on the way to work, I can’t help to appreciate this quiet and nice neighbourhood. Environment does have an effect on our mental health, which is becoming a problem in the modern society we live in. A peaceful, clean and eco logically balanced environment could help us calm down, relieve pressure and create harmony in life.
On the first day I moved to my new flat in London, I found a roll of trash bags in the hallway. Later on I found out that these orange bags are not just “free trash bags”, they are used to collect recyclable items from households. And they have very detailed instructions on the bag what can go in as “recyclable objects.” I have started sorting my household trash and find most of the trash items can actually go into these big orange bags. Well, I admit it takes a little more efforts to sort your trash but it is worth the time considering the benefits for the environment.
Europe is more advanced in environmental protection than other continents I have lived. The first time I was travelling in Europe (that was one year after I left the USA) I found that most of the soft drink bottles are made of glass instead of plastics, apparently because they can be used/recycled even glass bottles are heavier and easy to break so it is probably not cost effectives in terms of the logistics. And also I found in many hotels throughout Europe, they have started using the refillable Shampoo/Body wash bottles (those bottles stick on the wall) to replace those disposable little bottles.
Three years living in the USA, I rarely saw good initiatives to protect the environment. In a way I guess they don’t have to worry that much as Asians and Europeans, where the land has been used for thousands of years and certain measures have to be in place to prevent the deterioration of the environment.
In China, I find there is a tendency to get things started, but not getting it done so the expected result is never achieved. In the apartment I used to live, which is in a brand new modern complex, there were two separate trash bins, one for recyclables and one for non-recyclables. But there is no clear instruction what should go in which one. So in the end, most people just dump everything to non-recyclable bins.
Then today I read this interesting article on the “recyclable phones.”
The UK's Science Museum is due to open a new exhibition this Wednesday which is to showcase pioneering phone technologies as well as the environmental impact of mobile phones. The exhibition, opening in the science and technology news gallery of the Science Museum - will include the first UK display of NEC's phone with a biodegradeable cover? currently only available in Japan. Also on display is a prototype phone cover with an implanted sunflower seed. As the sunflower grows, it gets additional nutrients from the biodegrading phone cover. This unique design, yet to hit the shelves, should give you the option to simply bury your used phone cover in your garden? thanks to researchers from Warwick University and materials company PVAXX.
Phone with a real sunflower growing on it, that does sound quite innovative!
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Thursday, March 23, 2006
News Coverage
I was sincerely expecting to see a broad range of news coverage on the British TV when I moved here. Coming from a country with news censorship, I am happy to embrace what the free press has to offer. But I have to admit so far I am very disappointed by the news coverage on the five channels I have. The local news is dull, dominated by crimes (bank robbery, missing persons, etc), polictical scandal and sports. The international news coverage by BBC world is more or less like CNN and other news channels. When there is a "breaking news" like bird flu, sharon is gravely ill, the news channels will be bombarded with the close watch on the development of the case...As if this is something on everybody's agenda!
I once talked to a friend who is a senior producer at CBS, and surprisingly he has the same frustration about the variety of news coverage. He said he even sent a letter to the president in their news division with a proposal on reforming the news content and production so that news could be something more interesting, enlightening to watch rather than the same story repeated by the different network TVs.
It is fair to say that reading news on Internet is a good alternative, it has all the information you want to know and you can customize it to your own interest and taste. The downside as compared to conventional TV news is that it is not as multi media as TV news (this of course will improve with broadband and streaming technology). Also people tend to have their TV on when they get up in the morning, so they can do multi-tasking but with Internet news, you literally have to sit there and click your mouse. But who knows, we have video on demand now so news on demand is probably on the way.
I once talked to a friend who is a senior producer at CBS, and surprisingly he has the same frustration about the variety of news coverage. He said he even sent a letter to the president in their news division with a proposal on reforming the news content and production so that news could be something more interesting, enlightening to watch rather than the same story repeated by the different network TVs.
It is fair to say that reading news on Internet is a good alternative, it has all the information you want to know and you can customize it to your own interest and taste. The downside as compared to conventional TV news is that it is not as multi media as TV news (this of course will improve with broadband and streaming technology). Also people tend to have their TV on when they get up in the morning, so they can do multi-tasking but with Internet news, you literally have to sit there and click your mouse. But who knows, we have video on demand now so news on demand is probably on the way.
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Three years, Peace is still a remote dream to come true
Three years after, the country is still on the brink of civil war, and very doubtfully the life is getting better for the average citizen in Iraq. Dictatorship has to go, but the question is what kind of benefits this has brought to its people. Free Election is one step further towards democracy, but do most people gain anything practical from this? A sense of pride, participation and making decision for themselves, yes maybe, however, when the basic security is not guaranteed, it is a bit like asking someone living below poverty line if he likes a luxury cruise in the Caribbean’s. Of course, it is something nice to have, but how much help that really is for someone who is looking to have his bottom line secured.
There tend to be a big gap between the reality and illusion. The reality is that the world, as much as the complexity of life itself, is a place with imbalances and inequality everywhere. The illusion is that we think there is a cure for all the issues we have in life, once we get the action in place, the world will be a better place. But the trouble is, do we always have the golden formula for all the complicated issues we have, not really. So maybe it is wise to wait until we make a bridge between what we think they need and what they really need.
There tend to be a big gap between the reality and illusion. The reality is that the world, as much as the complexity of life itself, is a place with imbalances and inequality everywhere. The illusion is that we think there is a cure for all the issues we have in life, once we get the action in place, the world will be a better place. But the trouble is, do we always have the golden formula for all the complicated issues we have, not really. So maybe it is wise to wait until we make a bridge between what we think they need and what they really need.
Sunday, March 19, 2006
Everybody's London?
"It doesn't get more international than London." Someone in the group said. I was at a London internatonal community social event, a few local Londoners, mostly people from other parts of Europe, and as usual, I was one of the few people from Asia. I looked around, well, yes, I guess you can say that, even though to me, Europe is like one big family and even culture and economy wise, there are still distinctive differences.
It is always a good idea to get 0ut and meet people, I admit it is a bit difficult to be in a foreign land again, but then again, I am not alone. It was a rainy night, and it was my third week in London, I was very glad I didn't choose to stay in the hotel room. That would be a pity, for being in such an exciting city.
Then I was surprised to hear some comments about British by some of the newcomers to London. "I feel people are kind of cold here, I have been here for 3 months now and still don't have any local friends. "
Well, I think it is never easy to the newcomers to any community, especially in big cities, you easily get lost - you see the excitement and dynamics of the city but you feel isolated and not part of the aciton. I don't feel I should make a judgement yet, after all, four weeks is too short time to get to know a city and its people.
Loneliness is something we as human beings always have to fight against, it is natural to feel lonely, because essentially only you knows yourself the best, nobody else does. But should this stop us from communicating and sharing with others? the answer is no. I always believe it adds some real meanings to my life when I am connected with others.
After a few emotional ups and downs in the first four weeks, I start to feel quite happy with being here and eager to explore what is out there in this city.
And it is a sunny day today, my fourth week in London. Had a nice walk by the river Thames, lovely day. When I was sitting in a polish cafe in Ravenscourt, the sun was streaming down in the table, I was content with the moment; and then I realize maybe we get too greedy and demanding for what life could offer, to live the moment, and remember every single good moment you have lived, that is one way of living too.
It is always a good idea to get 0ut and meet people, I admit it is a bit difficult to be in a foreign land again, but then again, I am not alone. It was a rainy night, and it was my third week in London, I was very glad I didn't choose to stay in the hotel room. That would be a pity, for being in such an exciting city.
Then I was surprised to hear some comments about British by some of the newcomers to London. "I feel people are kind of cold here, I have been here for 3 months now and still don't have any local friends. "
Well, I think it is never easy to the newcomers to any community, especially in big cities, you easily get lost - you see the excitement and dynamics of the city but you feel isolated and not part of the aciton. I don't feel I should make a judgement yet, after all, four weeks is too short time to get to know a city and its people.
Loneliness is something we as human beings always have to fight against, it is natural to feel lonely, because essentially only you knows yourself the best, nobody else does. But should this stop us from communicating and sharing with others? the answer is no. I always believe it adds some real meanings to my life when I am connected with others.
After a few emotional ups and downs in the first four weeks, I start to feel quite happy with being here and eager to explore what is out there in this city.
And it is a sunny day today, my fourth week in London. Had a nice walk by the river Thames, lovely day. When I was sitting in a polish cafe in Ravenscourt, the sun was streaming down in the table, I was content with the moment; and then I realize maybe we get too greedy and demanding for what life could offer, to live the moment, and remember every single good moment you have lived, that is one way of living too.
Monday, March 06, 2006
Weekend in London
It is a lovely day to take a walk in the Hyde park, the chilliness is still in the air, but we have beautiful blue sky, and the grass is already green (or it stays green all year long, I am not sure). I think I start to like the city a lot, apparently it has a very metropolitan life as I experienced last night. Walking down the street in Chelsea, it almost feels like the busy streets with stores, restaurants and bars in Shanghai. And yes, it is just amazing to see how British really like to drink a lot – even during lunch hours, you see people having beer in pubs. Funny though I think I spot the Chinese beer “Tsing Tao” on one table during the dinner in a trendy Asian restaurant in Chelsea. And again, the price for the standard cocktail drinks shocked me. A majitto would cost 8 pounds in a nice pub in Chelsea, which is far more expensive than centro, the swanky lobby bar in Kerry Center in Beijing.
The UK representative to Euro Vision was selected tonight and to my big surprise and disappointment, the rap singer Daz Sampson got the ticket to Athens. I thought that was totally a strange performance, not that I don’t like rap, I actually do, but “this mid aged guy had this old fashioned stone wash Jacket on, singing and dancing along with some under aged girls” – as one of the panellists pointed out, “everything was wrong and altogether it looks right.” He is not my favourite for sure, and I seriously it is a joke to send a singer/performer like him to Euro vision, it is very doubtful that UK will get a chance this year in the competition.
A lady in the office who helped with the relocation asked me how I am getting along with the life in London, as she said “ I guess it could be difficult that you might find people are not super friendly here as they don’t tend to make eye contact.” It is probably true, but well it is more or less the case with most major big cities, there are always some snobs there, but once you manage to break the ice, you will find the nice warm people around you.
I like the Parkinson show, compared with Larry King, who annoying like to take over the show, trying to be smarter and outshine the guests. Mr. Parkinson, knows how to get the best out of his guests and let them shine and be themselves.
The UK representative to Euro Vision was selected tonight and to my big surprise and disappointment, the rap singer Daz Sampson got the ticket to Athens. I thought that was totally a strange performance, not that I don’t like rap, I actually do, but “this mid aged guy had this old fashioned stone wash Jacket on, singing and dancing along with some under aged girls” – as one of the panellists pointed out, “everything was wrong and altogether it looks right.” He is not my favourite for sure, and I seriously it is a joke to send a singer/performer like him to Euro vision, it is very doubtful that UK will get a chance this year in the competition.
A lady in the office who helped with the relocation asked me how I am getting along with the life in London, as she said “ I guess it could be difficult that you might find people are not super friendly here as they don’t tend to make eye contact.” It is probably true, but well it is more or less the case with most major big cities, there are always some snobs there, but once you manage to break the ice, you will find the nice warm people around you.
I like the Parkinson show, compared with Larry King, who annoying like to take over the show, trying to be smarter and outshine the guests. Mr. Parkinson, knows how to get the best out of his guests and let them shine and be themselves.
Thursday, March 02, 2006
House Hunting in London
I spent two days on house hunting in London, quite an experience I have to say. The lady from the relocation company drove me around in her big landrover SUV, and we managed to see 16 properties in day one and 8 properties in day two, I was amazed by what we were able to achieve. And at the end of day two, we actually made our offer. I finally set my eye on this one bedroom house in Brook Green, a very nice residential area with lots of trees and green and beautiful period houses. My to be home is on the 1st floor (by British standard) of this converted period house. The reception room has two big bottom up windows overlooking the garden and street. It is high ceilings throughout and the bedroom is on the slightly lower level, with big wardrobes and shoe cabinets. The main reason I chose this flat over the much spacious two bedroom flat in a modern block is that I just love the style of those flats split in the period houses, they got a bit more charactern and flavor than the new modern flats. And this house is only 10 minutes to my office, which is a real plus considering the traffic situation in London.
Even I had been told many time that property price in London is just outrageous but I was still shocked to learn how much I end up paying for my rent. That is £1200 ($2000 or CNY 16000) per month for a one bedroom flat, not even in the most expensive areas like Kensington or Chelsea. But then again, it is London, there is a certain life style you don’t get elsewhere, so there is a price to pay.
Even I had been told many time that property price in London is just outrageous but I was still shocked to learn how much I end up paying for my rent. That is £1200 ($2000 or CNY 16000) per month for a one bedroom flat, not even in the most expensive areas like Kensington or Chelsea. But then again, it is London, there is a certain life style you don’t get elsewhere, so there is a price to pay.
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