VictoЯi〆維墮離亞♀

{Sunday Duo}No. 2 & 3 请给我6两饭

Sun, 28 Jun 2009 14:06:14 GMT

就像夏天少了阵雨会很奇怪，如果周日少了Sunday Duo，就会觉得完全没有精神再做些别的什么事情。

我给妈妈撒了个弥天大谎，说我获赠周日日语课程12节，这样她应该也就不会怀疑我周日提早出门的原因。

事实上我也希望这个white lie可以勾引我抓紧点时间背背日文单词（半个月不看了吧这玩意儿）。

小草莓吃什么都很快，其中有冰激淋，每次都是两大杯，第二杯通常是为了防止听课听着听着就睡着。

然后第一次有机会从小草莓杯子里挖个核桃仁吃吃，还第一次有机会一起看了会报纸拉。

终于在满怀期待中经历了大肠面，还有小菜饭骨头汤海带腐乳肉的大场面，咔咔。

小小的店面，小小的入口，陡峭的楼梯，油腻腻的桌面，

不太高级的餐巾纸，呼啦啦吹着的风扇，和蔼可亲的服务阿姨，超级入味的可口小菜，是这两个小吃店的共同点。

夏天，要的就是这样的大汗淋漓吃东西的感觉。

然后在走出店门的刹那，天已经变黑，一阵夏日傍晚凉爽的风吹来，惬意。

然后我们分道扬镳在小路边。

记得一次，天装模作样地下起了阵雨，我装模作样的急吼吼拿出蓄谋已久的伞，给小草莓打上。

那时小草莓拎着我沉甸甸的本本，才穿过一个红绿灯的模样，阵雨就不痛不痒地过去了。

我悻悻地收起了伞。

第一盒和最后一盒巧克力在Moca，收下是因为小草莓说不然就送给别人了！

巴卡拉竟然那么自然得和小草莓同镜头，其实这也是蓄谋的，现在手机一滑，呲溜一下，就会窜出小草莓一颗及绿叶一枝！

话说还喜欢穿马路，最好车越多越好，那是唯一几秒小草莓拽着我胳膊的时候。

积攒着积攒着，甜得很，可是一旦离开了周日和小草莓，一切又都很忧伤的样子。

因为事实是这样的：

小丑画花了自己的脸蛋

为了吸引全世界的注意

她说她爱上了全世界的微笑

在全世界需要她的时候

她觉得她成了全世界的唯一

有一天她会明白

对全世界而言

她只是个小丑

全世界的微笑都留给了他的全世界

对小草莓来说，全世界不是我。

这，就是事实。

...

Shanghai's historical pin-up boy

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 13:06:53 GMT

THROUGH his 20-year collection of stamps and badges, Sun Maoxing, 56, has recorded Shanghai's development in a special and simple way. Fei Lai checks out the content.

People collect different things and they collect these things for lots of reasons. Most do it for fun. However, for Sun Maoxing, a 56-year-old worker from Yangpu District, collecting is a little more than fun. It is something that reveals history, culture and development.

Through his 20 years' collection of stamps and badges, Sun has recorded Shanghai's development in a special and simple way.

"I might not be the one who has the most objects and the rarest," Sun says. "But I'm proud of it because my collection spans from 1949 till now and it is local. By following the collection through, even people from other cities and provinces can easily learn about the city's development.''

For the past 21 years, Sun has never stopped collecting badges. Every weekend, he goes to the market on Baotou Road in the district to see if there is anything worth picking up.

He has accumulated more than 5,000 badges in many different categories. His collections have been exhibited on more than 20 occasions.

City memories

The last time was in late May when Sun selected 500 badges and displayed them at Yangpu Library as part of activities celebrating the 60th anniversary of Shanghai's liberation.

He has collected badges since 1988. "The badges are concentrates of Shanghai's history over the recent 60 years, revealing how the city got to where it is now," Sun says. "The badges can talk indeed."

The theme of his latest exhibition was "City Memories of Shanghai" and it attracted and fascinated the elderly and the young.

"The old people favor the badges with a historical background such as those from the days during the 'cultural revolution' (1966-1976), while the young have more interest in how their school badges looked," Sun says.

"People enjoy the badges because these small articles awake long-sleeping memories from the past."

Although Sun has exhibited his badges at district and city levels, he clearly remembers five years ago when he lost a golden opportunity of having an exhibition organized by the Shanghai Archives.

The exhibition aimed to show the city's development with archives from local residents. In spite of his huge collection, Sun had not classified his badges so, without a clear theme, he was told he could not exhibit.

Learning from this, he spent the next three months classifying the badges. Categories such as city memories, sports, the "cultural revolution," school badges and tourism were included. He also divided sections like sports into more specialized areas like sports management, Olympics, national games, table tennis and student sport.

"At first, the collections were hung on old clothes in my wardrobe. But later they were stored in glass frames or fine boxes," Sun says. "Finally, they get to reach people."

Several communities have invited him to show his collections. Although there is no profit, Sun is willing to loan the badges.

"I hope more people can see these things," Sun says. "It's also my dream to hold a solo exhibition during the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai."

Patience needed

Sun's theme collection "Shanghai Walks towards the Expo" was displayed at the third Shanghai Archive Day in April. The badges he selected featured landmarks of Shanghai, including Yuyuan Garden, Broadway Mansions Hotel, Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Jin Mao Tower and Pudong International Airport.

Sun says there are three ways to collect -- buy the items at markets, barter with others or accept them as presents from friends and relatives.

The collector is very dedicated to his hobby. In 1993 he met a collector from Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, at the collectors' market on Zhaojiabang and Taiyuan roads. He spotted that the Nanjing collector wore a badge from the Chinese Olympic Committee. That was something he really wanted. He talked, negotiated and bargained.

Finally, he paid 40 yuan (US.85), one-sixth of his monthly salary at that time, and got the badge.

"Collecting badges is not an easy task. No one can have a complete collection with every badge," Sun says. "Don't be in a hurry. Patience is a virtue and we also need to keep an eye on our own lives."

The same philosophy is applied by Sun when he collects other items.

For the past 20 years, he has collected his own salary sheet, not missing a single one. From 50 yuan in the 1980s to the current 3,000 yuan or so, Sun considers it reflects the fruit of China's reform and opening up.

Since 1979, he has been a big stamp collector as well. What is unique about his stamp collection is that he keeps his family's activities on a stamp file.

"I've been filing for 12 years, which has given me a lot of knowledge about how to maintain archives," Sun says.

He keeps one file for his daughter. When great and meaningful moments and turning points such as birthdays, graduations and winning awards come round, he sends a letter to his daughter. The letters are usually highlighted with a postmark of the exact day and fine stamps. Sun hopes to record his child's growth with these special stamps.

The stamps have also helped class reunions for his middle school classmates.

"It's amazing that 44 out of 56 classmates have been found through a single list from that year," the collector says.

"We've had three parties. Each time we meet, I ask them to sign their names on the envelope and I send it to the post office that very day."

Now the classmates have decided to have another get-together after the World Expo 2010. Sun says there must be a lot more to share after participating in the event.

"The understanding of collecting is that however rich you are, it is impossible to collect everything. It doesn't matter how poor you are, you can start collecting something," Sun says.

"Be interested in it. Have fun. Do what you are capable of. That's all I expect from newcomers."
...

Fearless innovation the key to hope for the business world

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 13:06:14 GMT

INNOVATION works like an engine driving social progress. In the face of challenges such as the global economic downturn, energy-saving and environmental protection, innovation is a must for the growth of a man, an enterprise, a city, a nation and the world.

With innovation as a highlight, an award ceremony for the China Innovation List was held in Yangpu District recently. Business leaders from the top 20 enterprises on the list shared ideas on innovation with each other.

The list was drawn up by the Founder, a business magazine, and Booz & Company, a global consulting firm, after conducting research and assessments on more than 2,700 listed Chinese companies, each with market capitalization of more than US0 million.

Rather than putting the emphasis on a certain product, technology or business mode, the list focuses on the changes that innovation brings to an enterprise's sales, profit and impact, as well as on the significance to the whole industry and business organization.

Niu Wenwen, head of the Founder, said each crisis can become an opportunity for great innovation and the top 20 innovative enterprises achieved their significant innovative aims in product development, technology or business mode.

"It is the winter for the economy. However the ice is melting," Niu said. "Value brought by innovation not only belongs to an enterprise, an industry, but also belongs to society. Innovation is something that can guide us out of the mists of economic downturn."

The BYD Co Ltd ranked top of the list, followed by the Xinjiang Goldwind Science and Technology Co Ltd and Alibaba.com Ltd.

The ceremony was actually a part of "Innovative Future China Tour," a campaign co-organized by the Founder, enterprises, academics, investment circle and city and provincial governments.

Featuring forums, lectures and business negotiations, the campaign runs for a whole year in different places.

It aims at sharing experiences of innovation at key cities in China, providing funds, experience, methods and resources for innovative enterprises growing rapidly, inspiring entrepreneurs and giving them support. Before the Yangpu stop, the tour visited Shenzhen, Guangdong Province.

The forum in Yangpu District is themed "New Blueprint after Economic Crisis." Politicians, entrepreneurs and scholars gathered in the district, talking about issues involving technology transformation, rebuilding business modes, the construction of innovative environments, innovative cities and innovative countries.

As one of the places that has witnessed China's century-old industrial history and modern civilization, Yangpu will be a new site for the future development of Shanghai.

With the strategy of "Knowledge-based Yangpu," the district government has worked out an innovative development concept highlighted by the construction of three prime areas: university campuses, high-tech parks and public communities.

Knowledge-based

According to the concept, the university campuses will provide intellectual support to the high-tech parks. The high-tech parks will lead the campuses and the communities in development. The communities will provide public services for the park and the campus.

After a six-year effort, the concept has gradually taken shape in the district. A batch of enterprises in high-tech and creative industries has settled down here, driving Yangpu's future development.

Chen Anjie, Party secretary of Yangpu District, told the forum that the district is a place where innovative talents and leaders with courage and strength can release their passion and energy.

"The district boasts a long history, a strong academic atmosphere and resourceful talents," Chen said. "Shifting from traditional industry to a knowledge-based district, it is becoming one of the most important innovative bases in Shanghai."

Xu Liangheng, board chairman of TechSun Co Ltd which is based in Fudan Science Park, has a deep association with Yangpu District.

The Wenzhou City native graduated from Fudan University in 1990 with a master's degree. Having worked at science and research departments, and as a public servant and an entrepreneur, his experience proves that innovation could bring a great change.

"Yangpu is a place for dreamers and a cradle for entrepreneurs," Xu said. "Entrepreneurs should always walk ahead of the mass, bringing courage and faith to face any challenge."

Xu gave some advice to today's entrepreneurs.

Entrepreneurs should think about macro issues, rather than studying how much they have earned today.

Issues such as whether countries such as China and United States will form a new economic structure after the economic crisis, how this could be structured and how enterprises can get out of the difficulty should be considered. As well, both the enterprises and their owners should adopt a new mode to adapt to changes.

"Former experiences can be the most unreliable thing in an age of great changes," Xu said. "We'd better not apply the success of 10 years ago to today's case. We need to be creative."

Taking crisis management capability as the ultimate level of the spirit of entrepreneur, Xu said to succeed, enterprises must be prepared to go through difficulties like the economic crisis.

With the conclusion of the Yangpu stop of the "Innovative Future China Tour," the event will visit cities like Changsha (Hunan Province), Wuxi (Jiangsu Province) and Yulin (Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region).

The power of innovation will bring enterprises and the business world hope and confidence for sales growth and long-term benefit.
...

Hangzhou gears up for World Expo, 'Better City, Better Life'

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 04:06:01 GMT

HANGZHOU has always been a favorite of Shanghai residents who call it their "backyard garden" and tourists to China where it's the legendary "heaven on Earth."

So, as World Expo 2010 in Shanghai draws near, Hangzhou is preparing to receive droves of visitors and demonstrate that it actually lives up to the Expo theme, "Better City, Better Life."

The six-month extravaganza opens on May 1, 2010, and is expected to attract 70 million visitors from China and abroad. Eight million of them are expected to visit Hangzhou.

"Shanghai is the locomotive for the Yangtze River Delta and the country at large, while Hangzhou is a key city and transport hub in the region," said Wang Guoqing, Party secretary of Hangzhou. He addressed the Symposium on Hangzhou-Shanghai Economic Cooperation on Wednesday.

"Hangzhou's prosperity cannot be separated from its cooperation with Shanghai," he said.

"After the central government made the integration and development of the Yangtze River Delta a national strategy, Hangzhou's mission is to continue to cooperate with Shanghai and integrate itself into the region," Wang said.

Wang sees the World Expo 2010 as a historic opportunity for Hangzhou to achieve the mission.

The city will co-host the Expo theme forum "Harmonious Cities and Livable Life," put on an urban life demonstration project and prepare the Beijing-Shanghai-Hangzhou High-tech Industrialization Cooperation Exchange.

The city is promoting Expo ticket sales and encouraging enterprises to be active in organizing for the event.

The Hangzhou Pavilion will be part of the Expo's Sustainable Urbanization section in the Urban Best Practices Area that will showcase the best solutions to urban problems around the world.

The 400-square-meter pavilion will be known as "City of Quality of Life" and feature five kinds of water sources - river, stream, creek, lake, and sea - as part of its urban experience.

Hangzhou will be linked with Shanghai by high-speed passenger rail, cutting travel time to 38 minutes from around an hour and 20 minutes today. The top speed will be 350kph and the shortest departure interval is only three minutes.

"The concept of working in Shanghai and living in Hangzhou will come true," Party Secretary Wang told the two-city cooperation symposium. "We see a picture of the West Lake for Shanghai and the Huangpu River for Hangzhou."

The neighboring city is famous for both the West Lake and magnificent landscape as well as comfortable urban living and maintaining Chinese culture.

Several Hangzhou routes are on the official World Expo 2010 experience tour, including landscape in an urban ecosystem, high-quality city life, cultural exploration of traditional Chinese medicine, rural recreation and tea culture.

World Leisure Expo

Hangzhou will host the Second World Leisure Expo from September to November 2011. The first was held in 2006 and organizers aim for an event every five years.

Sponsored by the Hangzhou Municipal Government and World Leisure Organization, it features the theme of "Leisure: Enhancing Quality of Life."

The core concept of the event is "harmonious life, harmonious ecology, harmonious society and a harmonious world." The event aims to expand the brand impact of World Leisure Expo, strengthen cooperation between cities at home and abroad, provide a platform for a leisure industry exhibition and promote the leisure industry in China.

The expo is expected to help Hangzhou become an international tourism and leisure center and be an "Oriental Leisure Metropolis."

Preparation is underway for four main aspects: tourism and trade, culture and sports, exhibitions, conventions and forums.

The First World Leisure Expo was held in Hangzhou from April to October in 2006. It attracted 34.2 million visitors to its 233 conventions, exhibitions and cultural and commercial activities.

Eighty-eight cities and organizations from 26 countries and regions, plus 27 enterprises, set up exhibition halls at World Leisure Garden. The venue is a complex of leisure, resorts, conference sites and exhibition and residential areas.

The city promotes strategy of "revitalizing the city by creating a sound environment."

Cooperation strengthened

Shanghai and Hangzhou signed 41 projects for economic cooperation at the Symposium on Hangzhou-Shanghai Economic Cooperation on Wednesday.

The 28 projects invested by domestic enterprises in Shanghai reached about 11.6 billion yuan (US.7 billion). Those invested by foreign enterprises in Shanghai are valued at US5 million.

Among the domestic-invested projects, 23 exceeded 100 million yuan.

The projects cover a wide range of industries, including infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, modern services, real estate development, auto parts, garment manufacturing and e-business.

...

Dressing for the future

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 04:06:29 GMT

THE audience at the IFA Paris Shanghai Graduation Show in the middle of the month was swept away by the creative strength of the younger generation and its inspired vision of Expo. Fei Lai reports.

Shanghai's fashion industry is constantly distracted by world trends. But more importantly, it does find time to also acknowledge the talent of its own young designers.

Even if we are still in a period of economic downturn, the gifted new faces in the local fashion industry are filled with inspiration and motivation. The years ahead look prosperous and full of hope.

At the IFA Paris Shanghai Graduation Show in the middle of this month, the audience was swept away by the creative strength of the younger generation.

As the show had a World Expo 2010 theme, the student designers were inspired by the indissoluble link between fashion and the urban environment and development. Every element seemed to lead to a better future centering on "Human, City and the World."

The collection from Tang Wenbo, the gold prize winner at the graduation show, boasts touches of ancient architecture.

"When we look into the future, we should never forget the past. The application of brick and concrete elements stands for the city's thriving progress," Tang says. "Adding the color of red brings a Chinese touch. The dress is for the future, but we should never forget the traditional."

From afar, the model wearing her design looks like a female warrior coming from outer space at some time in the future. The audience could let their imagination run riot.

For the graduates of IFA Paris Shanghai, the annual fashion show is the ultimate test of the skills acquired during their time at school.

It also acts as evidence that they are on the way to becoming future stars in the fashion industry.

"I prepared for my show for almost five months, during which I went to bed at 3am and got up at 7am every day. All my work was made by hand," says Yang Mi, from Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, the silver prize winner. "We have many great and bold ideas. All we want to do is to make life interesting for people."

To match the World Expo theme, Yang incorporates the high-tech concept of solar energy in her designs.

"My collection features the theme of light," she says. "I want to design something that can shine even without light."

Audrey Sorignet, a fashion design teacher at IFA Paris Shanghai, has been in Shanghai for two and a half years. She thinks the city is a good place to cultivate young fashion designers as the information flow is so rapid.

"The place is full of possibilities. The city and its people are resourceful," Sorignet says. "The young designers not only focus on what is happening, but also future elements. I really see their potential."

Different studentshave different ways of finding inspiration.

Tang, the gold prize winner, says photography often gives her an aesthetic feeling, while Yang, the runner-up, says she prefers observing films, entertainment stars and American television series.

However, they all end up with one dream - to become a top fashion designer in the future.

"The biggest change is that the students' designs are becoming more and more localized. Rather than following stereotypes and making slight changes in the works of masters, they are fascinating the audience with creativity," says Lin Bin, marketing director of Siemens China, and one of the judges at the show.

"By thinking deeply about developmental challenges and creative solutions, IFA students not only employ skill and creativity but also reveal an understanding of life as they move forward together into the future," Lin says.

All the winners got a free six-month design course in Paris. The gold prize included a return air ticket to the city as well.

"Fashion designing brings me satisfaction," says Liu Chen, another runner-up at the graduation show. "The graduation show is my debut. My fashion career has just been launched. I will probably go abroad to further my study and fashion will become my life."

...

Juicy possibilities for your palate and your health

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 11:06:03 GMT

FRESH fruit and vegetable potions help you detox, fight jet lag and low immunity. A Healthy Living drinks menu helps travelers stay fit. Fei Lai takes a sip.

Summer is a good time to make your own fruit and vegetable juices in a blender or extractor. You get the vitamins, minerals and nutrients direct from nature.

Pear, apple, mango, carrot, tomato, berry and green vegetables also make delicious and healthy juices.

But experts point out that juices, though healthy, are no substitute for whole fruit in the daily diet as they contain little essential fiber and some vitamins are lost in mashing and squeezing.

"Natural juices from fruits and vegetables have some healing effects and help with detoxing, fatigue, digestion and skin quality," says Patricia Teixeira, a Brazilian nutritionist in Shanghai to launch the Healthy Living drink menu at the Park Hyatt.

"A mix-and-match thing will bring a magic touch to the drink's flavor and its function," she says of her selection of smoothies and juices.

The Care Smoothie is made with fresh raspberries, a powerful antioxidant, aloe vera, which aids digestion, and peaches, soy milk and ground almonds.

Peaches have a lot of lycopene and lutein, among other nutrients. Lycopene seems to have a protective effect against prostate cancer and lutein supports healthy eyes, says Teixeira.

The Health Smoothie is a delicious mix of banana, fresh-squeezed orange juice, strawberries, mint leaves, soy milk and ground almonds.

Strawberries support optimal health with antioxidants and beta-carotene that gives the bright red color to the fruit.

It helps protect against inflammation and heart disease, says Teixeira.

"Mint leaves have an exquisite fresh taste and support our digestive function," she says.

Anti-Jet Lag Juice includes kale, carrots, apple, salt and pumpkin seeds.

Kale supplies phytonutrients, helps in detox and helps one relax.

Carrots and apple balance blood sugar for a good nights' sleep.

Pumpkin seeds are rich in the amino acid tryptophan, a precursor to melatonin, the body's sleep hormone.

De-Tox Juice contains naval oranges, watermelon, mint and grape. Watermelon contains the amino acid citrulline that acts as a diuretic and helps detoxification.

Oranges contain vitamin C, bioflavonoid and fibers and helps lower cholesterol.

Purple/red grapes contain resveratrol that helps reduce inflammation and promotes healthy heart and arteries.

Immune System Juice contains oranges, pineapple, red apple and ginger. Ginger supports the immune system and helps fight and prevent colds. Oranges are rich in vitamin C and pineapple has an anti-inflammatory effect.

"This juice is ideal for you if you have a cold or flu-like symptoms," says the nutritionist.

Further, the enzymes in pineapple help resolve mucus in the respiratory tract and help clear the throat.

The last juice on the menu is Healthy Body Juice, which contains cucumber, beetroot, red apple and carrots.

"This fresh juice is rich in silica, which is known to support and strengthen the body's tissues," says Teixeira.

Beetroot, rich in iron and beta-carotene, supports the liver's detoxification function.

Apple contains pectin, a type of fiber that can absorb liquid and toxins. Carrots are rich in vitamin A.

"All these important nutrients will help you look great and feel good," she says. Teixeira, who has a background in physiology and sports biochemistry, says these fresh juices and concotions target common conditions of weary travelers, notably jet lag and immune deficiencies.

"The idea of taking time for a healthy breakfast rarely occurs to jet-setting business travelers," she says. "Guests want to maintain a healthy lifestyle while traveling, so offering these drinks at the hotel is helpful."

However, according to Weight Watchers, an international provider of weight management services, pure fruit juice cannot take the place of whole fruits and vegetables.

Juices don't retain much of the fruits' and vegetables' valuable cellulose fiber. Some vitamins that are easily oxidized are destroyed in the mashing and squeezing process.

According to the Balanced Dietary Pagoda of the Chinese Nutrition Society, adults should eat 200-400 grams of fruit each day. Experts recommend a cup of fresh juice in the morning, but don't drink high-acid juices on an empty stomach, lest they cause upset.

...

White collars trade in karaoke and clubbing to become 'red-collar' volunteers

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 11:06:46 GMT

MORE and more young professionals these days are caught up in the pursuit of money, advancement and pleasure. When they have spare time, many go shopping, clubbing, to karaoke, or just hang out.

But many of them do feel a void and ask, "Is that all?"

Increasingly they turn to volunteering - not donating money but giving off their time and talents to help others.

There's not much of a tradition of volunteering in China, but the Sichuan earthquake, the Beijing Olympic Games and the upcoming World Expo 2010 have brought out - and are still inspiring - the best in young people.

It's easy to give money, but not so easy to give time. Yet it's the time spent face-to-face with others in need that's most satisfying, or the time spent helping the community and the nation.

But people do volunteer for reasons other than a sense of social responsibility: Some want to try something different, some want to meet Mr or Mrs Right, some who have not achieved at work want to excel and be appreciated for other work.

Zhang Ning, a lawyer, found he was spending more and more time organizing volunteer events, so he resigned to become a full-time organizer. In 2007, one-third of his working time was devoted to volunteering; in 2008 it was two-thirds.

"I decided to resign because life is more meaningful and pleasurable through volunteering," he says.

Zhang first volunteered in 2006 when he helped a friend raise 200,000 yuan (US,260) at a charity event.

At that time, he had just returned after earning a master's degree in economics in the UK.

"I mobilized almost all of my lawyer friends to contribute," says Zhang.

"I was inspired by the outcome and saw great potential, so I paid more attention to volunteering and wondered how I could start my own organization."

Zhang and others point out there are many reasons for volunteering, and motives beyond a sense of social responsibility and desire to help others.

Some people do it to experience something different, some to find Mr or Mrs Right, some to escape office politics and some - who haven't achieved professionally - find a sense of satisfaction and success in volunteering.

"Materialism is overwhelming most of today's office workers," says Zhang. "All this pursuit of vanity makes them feel empty sometimes. Volunteering can truly enrich their lives."

Organizing volunteers, however, is more demanding. It's not hands-on the same way.

Capability, experience, contacts and the ability to network are essential.

Zhang and his partner have organized many activities involving last year's Sichuan earthquake relief, education and environmental protection.

Today, as World Expo 2010 draws near, volunteers are being recruited. Shanghai Charyou Youth Service Center, formerly Charyou.org, is a work station for Expo volunteers.

It is in charge of recruiting and organizing foreign volunteers and white-collar volunteers.

Zhang is looking past Expo. He wants to use the Expo to promote volunteer culture, build a city volunteer system and help achieve a harmonious society.

He is trying to organize a Red-Collar League, an umbrella group for volunteer teams from different enterprises.

Red is the color of passion and dedication. The league will share information on volunteering and projects and encourage more white collars to volunteer.

Around 20 teams have answered the call. Zhang says the willingness to help out is deeply rooted in his family and influenced him when he was a boy. His parents and relatives are all warm-hearted, he says.

"There are nine teachers in my family, including my parents, so I have been greatly influenced by our tradition of teaching, educating and helping people."

His family gave financial support to a needy student in his father's class, and the child's family. Now that former student and his family from Jiangxi Province have moved to Shanghai to work and frequently visit Zhang's family, still thanking them for their kindness.

We hope to help and to bring about change," says Shi Wenjun, chairman of the IBM Shanghai Volunteer Association. "Volunteering does take up spare time, as we can't do it during work. Personal leisure time is cut, but one's social responsibility doubles and your value triples. I will try to volunteer until the day I die."

She is deeply involved in the East China Normal University's joint program with IBM Cultural Caring. In the past year, around 170 university students from disadvantaged families have received free job training and English courses from 68 IBM volunteers.

The volunteers and students jointly worked out six different volunteer programs themed "I am a World Expo volunteer."

The programs: producing brochures to introduce Shanghai, offering classes explaining World Expos to kids, holding barter/recycling fairs to encourage environmental protection, visiting rural areas to promote Expo to farmers, and bringing mentally challenged children to the Expo.

"The young generation needs to be inspired. The more help we provide them (such as ECNU needy students), the stronger the volunteer legacy we leave them. Our work influences young people and hopefully can get them involved in volunteering, either for the Expo or other events and causes. They can be one of us one day and can do better than we do."

Shi started volunteering two years ago, first in community services for people with handicaps and schoolchildren of migrant workers. Now she's an organizer and finds that very satisfying, due to a multiplier effect.

Many people are enthusiastic volunteers at first, she says, but passion alone doesn't make someone a good volunteer. Time can dull the excitement.

"Only by 'smart' volunteering can we sustain the interest and inspire more people. Innovation matters a lot," says Shi.

The IBM Shanghai Volunteer Association, founded in 2004, has organized and carried out Young Volunteers Day for Science and Technology, Engineers' Week in eight city schools, Science and Technology Week Showcase for Senior Citizens, voluntary blood donation and first aid volunteers training.

All IBM employees are welcome in a "Donation Hub," in which everyone's time, labor and ideas are appreciated.

Shi has been inspired by Zhang Ning, who in 2007 founded Charyou.org, a volunteer service provider in the city. For Zhang, volunteering is "a way of life." The two became friends through volunteering. More expats are volunteering and joining River of the Heart, a charity program of the Community Center Shanghai.

One of the volunteers is IBM's Laura Wang, assistant to the vice president of operations and transformation for growth market.

"Foreigners and others can donate recyclable clothing at our drop-off locations around the city," says Wang. Every year in February, May and November there are parties to sort, catalogue and pack clothing.

Wang is working in another program, "Let the Blind See the World Through Your Eyes," in which volunteers record audio books for the visually disabled, in cooperation with the Shanghai Library. She is also interested in environmental initiatives to make the city greener. Some office worker volunteers are involved in Junior Achievement China (JAC), an international nonprofit organization that promotes business and urban responsibility.

Xu Ke, a market development manager from Dow Chemical (China) Investment Co Ltd, and Kenneth Zhao, from Dow's R&D department, have been volunteering with JAC for two years.

They take part in JAC's "Our City" school course that helps students "build" a city.

Students lay out a city, construct paper buildings, write news articles, open restaurants and other commercial outlets, and examine how banks work and why they are important.

The program will be expanded to more than 30,000 elementary school students nationwide within three years. Since last autumn, more than 70 Dow employees have taught pilot courses in 11 elementary schools in Shanghai and Beijing.

"This is my commitment to society. I take time from weekends to help the kids," says Xu. "Volunteering keeps me young at heart."

Volunteering for World Expo

Apply at www.expo2010.cn, www.wmsh.gov.cn or www.21campus.cn. Or call 962-010, the Expo hotline.

Applicants can visit one of 19 official Expo outlets in the city's 18 districts and Chongming County, or Expo offices in 53 universities.

For more information on volunteering for Expo, e-mail to charyouexpovol@expovolunteer.online.sh.cn or call 6248-5030.

Volunteering for Junior Achievement China

First register at community.jachina.org. Applicants are screened and trained for volunteer work.

...

West Lake Expo extravaganza of business, culture and leisure

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 10:06:47 GMT

THE 11th West Lake International Expo opening in October offers 100 projects and 40 festivals covering all aspects of Hangzhou's expanding economy and unique culture. It's a place to make business deals.

The expo is expected to generate 10 billion yuan (US.46 billion) in business and another US billion in foreign funding.

The event, to be held at numerous venues around the city, is themed "Hangzhou Confidence, Expo Quality" and will run about three weeks.

This year's Expo, including 30 conferences and 40 festivals, addresses challenges of the global economic downturn.

Fresher, richer and more colorful than last year's expo, this event expresses the city's international orientation, specialization and brand building.

The first West Lake Expo was held in 1929, but was suspended for many years.

It aims to expand domestic demand for Hangzhou goods and services,

The expo will showcase eight fields, including real estate, auto industry, tourism, telecommunications, trade, culture, fitness and the Internet.

There will be a shopping festival, electronics exhibition, real estate expo, auto show, tourism festival, art exhibition, dance contest and Internet business summit.

It will also promote industries with high potential, including traditional Chinese medicine, tea, silk, sports and recreation.

Hangzhou is raising the international profile of the West Lake Expo, which showcases the city's efforts to build itself into a destination for international conferences and the capital of festivals and celebrations in China.

The market for conferences in Hangzhou has been expanding.

Expo organizers will cooperate with professional exhibition and event-organizing institutions worldwide to stage a memorable, world-class event.

Foreign consultants in Shanghai will take part, promoting cultural exchanges and showcasing their nations. They include South Korea, the Philippines, Spain and France.

International events will include a tourism trade fair and an art festival featuring works of young Chinese artists.

Also on the program will be the China International Leisure Industry Expo, China (Hangzhou) International Industry Expo and the West Lake Modern Music Festival.

To build Hangzhou into a magnet for festivals, the West Lake Expo is cooperating with the International Festivals & Events Association and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to introduce more events.

Visitors can enjoy their favorites, such as the West Lake International Fireworks Festival and an international carnival.

The International Tourism Festival turns the spotlight on China's traditional festivals, including Chinese New Year, the Qingming Festival (tomb-sweeping day), Dragon Boat Festival and Mid-Autumn Festival.

Also expected to attract visitors are a traditional Chinese brand show, the West Lake Beer Festival, Wushan Temple Fair and Wulin Fashion Show.

Expo promoters call the series of events "a platform for developing the convention and exhibition industry, a carrier of cultural and ideological progress, and a festival for ordinary people and tourists from home and abroad."

...

你是什么人，读者，百年后读着我的诗？

Sat, 13 Jun 2009 15:06:22 GMT

15

I run as a musk-deer runs in the shadow of the forest mad with his own perfume.
The night is the night of mid-May, the breeze is the breeze of the south.
I lost my way and I wander, I seek what I annot get, I get what I do not seek.

From my heart comes out and dances the image of my own desire.
The gleaming vision flits on.
I try to clasp it firmly, it eludes me and leads me astray.
I seek what I annot get, I get what I do not seek.

我像麋鹿一样在林荫中奔走，为着自己的香气而发狂。
夜晚是五月正中的夜晚，清风是南国的清风。
我迷了路，我游荡着，我寻求那得不到的东西，我得到我所没有寻求的东西。

我自己的愿望的形象从我心中走出，跳起舞来。
这闪光的形象飞掠过去。
我想把它紧紧捉住，它躲开了又引着我飞走下去。
我寻求那得不到的东西，我得到我所没有寻求的东西。

40

An unbelieving smile flits on your eyes when I come to you to take my leave.

I have done it so often that you think I will soon return.

To tell you the truth I have the same doubt in my mind.

For the spring days come again time after time;
the full moon takes leave and comes on another visit,
the flowers come again and blush upon their branches year after year,
and it is likely that I take my leave only to come to you again.

But keep the iluusion awhile; do not send it away with ungentle haste.

When I say I leave you for all time, accept it as true,
and let a mist of tears for one moment deepen the dark rim of your eyes.

Then smile as archly as you like when I come again.

一个怀疑的微笑在你眼中闪烁，当我来向你告别的时候。

我这样做的次数太多了，你想我很快又会回来。

告诉你实话，我自己心里也有这样的怀疑。

因为春天年年会来；
满月道过别又来访问，
花儿每年回来在枝上红晕着脸，
很可能我向你告别只为的要再回到你身边。

但是把这幻象保留一会吧，不要冷酷粗率地把它赶走。

当我说我要永远离开你的时候，就当作真话来接受它，
让泪雾暂时加深你眼边的黑影。

当我再来的时候，随便你怎样的狡笑吧。
...

At Malu everything is looking vine for the festival

Sat, 13 Jun 2009 04:06:49 GMT

THE Malu Grape Park in Jiading District has grapes, more grapes, a lot of attractions, and now offers people a chance to adopt a grapevine of their own. It's an experimental promotion for a park that just keeps growing. Fei Lai uncorks the plan. Adopting a tree is a great way to make nature part of your family. But think again - try adopting a grapevine and see what more fun there can be for all.

At the Malu Grape Park in Jiading District, families can now adopt a grapevine for 800 yuan (US7).

After strolling through the peaceful park, the family can select a vine that appeals.

They can name the vine they have adopted, take care of it under the supervision of experts and decorate it - as long as no harm is done to the plant. And every year the family can have the fruit of their vine - about 10 kilograms of delicious fresh grapes.

Park staff will tell the family by phone or email exactly when they should come to pick their grapes. The owner family should complete its picking within 20 days.

"I'm very happy to hear that we can adopt a grapevine at the park. Since my family left our farm and moved to the downtown area of the district more than 10 years ago, growing grapes has become just a sweet memory from my childhood," says Lu Xiaofeng, a local resident.

"It's meaningful. The tree is like a harbor which holds and protects my love for the hometown. As well, I can bring friends from Shanghai's downtown area here to enjoy my grapes. That will really entertain them."

People who sign up to buy a grapevine have a lot more privileges and discounts as well. They get free admission to the park and a 15-percent discount when they buy grapes and try other entertainments in the park.

It's not just for individuals and families - businesses can also buy grapevines. The costs for this can rise up to 20,000 yuan, depending on the size of the business and the number of vines involved. Management and staff who jointly own grapevines can collect up to 250 kilograms of fruit a year.

Businesses can also use the park for business events, they can invite clients to join in grape picking and give their employees a place for fun after work.

The Malu Grape Park, which opened in 2006 at a cost of about 30 million yuan, is a place where city dwellers can enjoy the pleasures of the fruit of the vine.

Covering 30 hectares, visitors can pick grapes, boat on a lake and relax while listening to music and drinking wine in a 400-meter arbor decoratively strung with grapes.

Famous throughout the nation for their quality, Malu grapes are also among the most expensive, usually five to six times the average price of domestic grapes.

Yin Genxing, a technician from Malu Town's agricultural integrated services station, says the town's grape output will reach around 8,000 tons this year, 500 tons more than last year. Currently, the town has set aside 353.33 hectares for growing grapes.

"The town has been growing grapes for almost 30 years and there are more than 120 varieties. With improvements in quality and the influence of branding, they have won popularity nationwide and bring a fortune to local farmers," Yin says.

"Vine adopting is a new experiment for us. It builds a closer tie between consumers and Malu grapes. People can expand their knowledge of grapes and they are certain to fall in love with the place where their own grapes grow."

According to officials from the Malu Grape Research Institute, grapes grown in solar greenhouses are ripening early and will be available at the park later this month. Some lucky vine owners might be able to enjoy grapes within two weeks.

Last year, the park had over 200,000 visitors, more than half of whom drove their own cars to the park. They are the major targets of the vine adoption program.

"The park is improving its services and will offer a perfect outing for visitors." says Xu Qiong, who works at the marketing department of the park.

The 2009 Shanghai Malu Grape Festival will begin on July 5 at the Malu Grape Park. With the theme "A trip to World Expo, a date with Malu," the festival will run through to October 7.

This is the ninth festival and the three-month event offers a lot more than grape- picking and wine salons.

Some of the events on the program include a group wedding under grapevines on August 26, Chinese Valentine's Day, and a display of logos for the festival suggested by the public.

A World Expo vineyard with a love theme will be open at the park during the festival. Visitors will be able to write wishes for the World Expo and hang them in the vineyard. Grapes will be sold to raise money to buy Expo tickets for the underprivileged.

A passport which doubles as a tourist map of the district will be distributed citywide with the help of travel agents and auto clubs.

To match the Expo theme, a grape-themed Expo will be launched at the park's newly built science museum during the festival. Visitors can discover a variety of grapes and their various uses.

Quality matters

To encourage more people to experience the charm of the town and the district, routes for a one-day tour, either for tour groups or individuals, will be revealed by the local government, local travel agents and tourist Websites.

With the local government's support of tourism and grape cultivation, local farmers have benefited. Grape planting has become one of the main economic drives for local farmers.

Jin Huijuan is one of them. The grapes she grows won the Golden Grapes of Malu Town title last year, and their value has increased from 4 yuan per 500 grams in 2002 to 12 yuan last year.

"I don't know what the price this year will be. My job is to guarantee what I grow is of the best quality with the juiciest sweetest taste," Jin says. "As long as the quality meets people's demands, the price doesn't matter."

Although she has been growing grapes for seven years now, Jin started from scratch and was glad to see the changes introduced in grape growing techniques. To learn the scientific methods of growing grapes, she attended training courses provided by the town's agriculture committee. Although she knew little about the market, she studied hard and her efforts were returned with her harvests.

Nowadays, she is fully aware that quality for Malu grapes is as important as water is for man. Jin hopes more visitors will come to the town to pay homage to her fruit.

It usually takes less than 45 minutes to reach Malu from Shanghai's downtown area. With convenient transport and the lure of grapes, the town is becoming a very popular spot for outings with friends, families and colleagues.

The 2009 Shanghai Malu Grape Festival

Date: July 5-October 7

Venue: Malu Grape Park, 27 Dazhi Rd E.

Transport: A12 Expressway-Malu exit-Liuxiang Road-Dazhi Road

Website:www.maluputao.com...

Screening is the new weapon in the fight for health

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 05:06:39 GMT

Days grow long. Nights become short. Summer is awake. Autumn is ahead....

Designers come to the rescue - literally

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 15:06:18 GMT

THE earthquake tragedy in China's Sichuan Province has mobilized young student designers from universities and institutes all over the world. They have brought their minds to offer designs to make buildings safer during quakes and have even offered ideas to improve rescue work and help emergency workers.

The "Design Inspiring Humanism," featuring works from the 2009 Cumulus International Design Competition for the Earthquake Disaster Relief, will run through June 14 at the Knowledge and Innovation Community in Yangpu District.

A total of 108 pieces of design for emergency work are displayed. They come from more than 600 students from 56 design colleges in 14 countries and regions.

Sponsored by Cumulus, an international association of universities and colleges of art, design and media, and Tongji University, it aims to develop new tools and a new understanding of ways of handling emergencies with multidisciplinary inventions, adapting them to local conditions.

At the exhibition, there are emergency kits, which can be kept at a home or distributed instantly when needed.

To give survivors, injured or trapped victims, access to pure drinking water, water dispensation and instant water cleaning products have been designed.

The students have also come up with good ideas for special sanitation and shelter units for different categories of survivors like the elderly, children, families and for professional search and rescue teams.

Rings, necklaces, watches and clothing can be turned into pre-disaster identification tags as a way of storing essential data about the wearer.

One design for desks in classrooms makes them triangular and ready to act as temporary shelters. Special pillows can be turned into equipment that will help people escape a major disaster.

Chen Yinfeng, a senior student from Tongji University, who majors in industrial design, won the gold prize with his invention of the "multi-functional life-saving hammer." He was awarded 50,000 yuan (US,321).

"Mega machines are usually more difficult than smaller ones to bring into a rescue scene. Therefore, the idea of designing a special portable hammer for rescuers came to me," Chen says.

"Nowadays, many universities worldwide have been doing research and developing solutions to ensure there will be less damage and loss of life in unexpected natural disasters. I'm happy to have contributed to this."

With the 50,000 yuan reward, he is planning to donate some money to children in the quake-hit province. His work will also go on display in London, Milan and Helsinki.

"Design Inspiring Humanism" exhibition

Date: through June 14, 10am-6pm

Venue: KIC Plaza, 234 Songhu Rd

Admission: Free

...

VictoЯi〆 維墮離亞♀