12.24
Christmas in Shanghai
Every year in December, Shanghai is filled with the spirit of Christmas. Maybe this is something unique to China. Even my friend in Guangzhou asked me a few days ago, “How about the decorations in big shopping malls this year?”
Unlike in other countries, where Christmas is about family and religious reasons, in China, it’s more about business and fun. And it’s more popular among the younger generation than the old ones. But in Shanghai, it’s a season for all generations. I believe that’s what gives Shanghai its unique Christmas atmosphere – you can do what you like here, as long as it’s legal, and nobody cares about your age or anything else.
This atmosphere encourages people having businesses to try their best to attract customers, from big shopping malls to tiny cafes.
If you’re in Shanghai right now, I recommend you visit a Christmas market. It will be a special experience.
Don’t forget to wrap yourself up in warm clothes. It will be quite cold at night.
(I’m trying to write in English without native text. How did I do? )
From pbarcellona: I would recommend reading as much as you can in English (modern stuff, the way people actually talk and not something too bookish), to get your brain soaked in the grammar. “Don’t practise until you can do it right, practise until you can’t do it wrong.”
12.26
An Irrational Thing I’ve Done
I’ve been reading a book called “The Psychology of Money” recently.
At the beginning of the book, the author tells a story about a technology executive who carried a stack of hundred-dollar bills several inches thick. He showed it to everyone who wanted to see it and many who didn’t.
In my eyes, that’s really a show-off thing to do, even childish and irrational.
A few minutes after closing the book, I suddenly remembered an irrational thing I’d done.
It was five years ago. I bought a Louis Vuitton Neverfull when I was traveling in Paris.
Five years later, I’ve used this bag less than five times. I can’t use it on weekdays, because I prefer a bag with broad shoulder straps to carry my laptop more comfortably; I don’t like it on weekends, because it’s not that casual.
I mean it’s a good bag, but not for me.
Every time I see it, it reminds me that, “There are many nice things in the world, but only a few matter to me.”
12.28
Warm Feedback
Every time I post an entry here, I receive a lot of nice feedback, even for those that I don’t think are good.
My heart feels warm when I read these words, maybe because I was raised in a very different way with indifferent and harsh feedback.
When I was at school, I was always one of the best students. But my parents rarely gave me positive feedback. My teachers thought I could do better so they tended to tell me what I was lacking.
Thank you all for giving me warm feelings this winter!
Well, I’m on my way to go hiking now. It’s a long trail today. I hope I can finish it and take some pictures to show you.
Have a nice day!
12.29
About Yesterday’s Hike
Yesterday, the weather at our hiking destination was pretty good. It was sunny, not too cold, but a little windy.
The scenery was fantastic. Even though it is winter now, the mountains are still full of life.
I think there are three reasons for this lively feeling.
Firstly, in the mountain region, there is a village where camellias are planted. Now it’s camellia season, and many camellia flowers are blooming between the mountains and the village.
Secondly, there are many tea gardens on the top of the main mountain we climbed yesterday. You know, tea plants are always green.
And thirdly: the streams along the trail.
I took a lot of pictures and videos during my hike, but I want to show you the water in the streams first.
I like the sound of running streams and I hope you like it too.
12.31
Thanks and New Year’s Resolutions
After reflecting on 2024, I want to express my gratitude to all my friends here. When I was making my list of 2025 resolutions I just realized that one of my resolutions from 2023 had come true.
It’s about using English, and yes, it was a resolution from two years ago.
As a typical Chinese student, I performed well in English at school, but I struggled to use it effectively. I used to feel lucky that although I worked in a foreign company, my boss was Chinese, so I only needed to read and write in English. Then two years ago, I noticed it was not fair that I had spent so much time learning this language but never mastered it.
So, at the beginning of 2023, I made a New Year’s resolution to practice listening and speaking English.
This morning, I listened to an English video while doing my morning chores. Now, I can speak with people from different countries in English. I might still make some mistakes from time to time, but hey, people can understand my English expression and I can almost get what they are saying – That’s way better than I wanted in 2023.
I think continuously writing and receiving feedback from you guys helps me a lot. Thanks again!
By the way, I think New Year’s Resolutions are useful.
If you can’t make it in one year, then give it two.