First, a couple of links to things I found interesting to read:
- Corruption Taints Every Facet of Life in China - From the LA Times. This article confirms/exposes things I have suspected/believed for a very long time. Corruption is a serious problem here and I have seen it affect friends personally. Can the central government effectively deal with it? Hmmm…
- How would you like to be known as the Tourists of Evil Omen? It seems this unlucky British couple, Jason and Jenny Cairns-Lawrence , have been in New York City, London and Mumbai during terrorist attacks.
And in other randomness:
- I am about to go postal on “DouFu” woman, the character who comes around the apartment complex every few hours peddling her block of tofu. She lets you know she’s around by screaming “DouFu” loudly and frequently. She is not to be outdone by recycle man, who usually passes through around 0730 every morning shouting for you to bring down cardboard to sell to him. He doesn’t have a tag line, just an annoying animal call. While I was in the States this summer, I heard that our roommates got fed up and launched a couple of empty pizza boxes out the window, which I am sure were greeted with much happiness, since they are made of cardboard and were free.
- Another Chinglish moment in my editing work this morning: A flight maneuver called “S-Turns Across a Toad” instead of road brought me great joy.
- I know they mean well, but when they find out I have a cold, why does everyone immediately tell me to drink hot water and wear more clothes? I’m 32 years old and a registered nurse! I know what to do! Besides, the coffee helps my cough and I get overheated if I wear too many layers in a hot office! Everyone says the same thing, too. Hot water and additional clothing must be the “chicken soup” of cold cures here.
