Booklist

Today is the Great Heat of the year according to the 24 solar terms.

In China, this means that today is the hottest and sunniest day of the year. At this time, the combination of dampness and heat reaches its peak.

It’s true. Even yesterday, the day before the Great Heat, was very humid. At night, when I cleared my coffee cup from the morning, it seemed to have mold on it.

Even though it’s one of the most unbearable days for Chinese people, our culture honours it since it’s also the time when crops grow the fastest. Different regions have different ways of celebrating it.

I need to learn this type of positive attitude from the traditional culture.

Yesterday, my camellia died in the extreme heat. This morning, the only fruit on my fig tree fell. I should calm myself down and focus on the growing plants, since I’ve tried my best on my little windowsill garden.

I’ve been slacking off for a few days. Old friends may notice this from my lack of entries here.

The weather is the main reason. Under the high heat and air conditioning, I only want to do the things that I have to do. According to traditional Chinese medicine theory, our yang qi is damaged because we stay in air-conditioned rooms too long. I think, to some extent, this statement makes sense.

Another reason is the mosquitoes. I don’t know why, but after COVID-19, I have become allergic to mosquito bites. Each bite could cause unbearable itching. Dealing with these itches takes me a lot of time and really annoys me.

I’m trying to let those unchangeable things go and come back to normal.

I hope I can manage it.

In China, there’s a metaphorical term that refers to a job market situation where companies create positions specifically tailored for certain individuals. This means the hiring manager already has the candidate in mind, but due to compliance rules, they still have to go through the formal recruitment process.

This term is called 萝卜坑, which literally translates to “radish pit.”

Last night, a headhunter approached me and recommended a position at an international company. Over the phone, it sounded like a good match for my experience, but after reading the JD she sent me afterward. I realized it might be a radish pit.

The JD includes so many specific requirements and qualifications that you can almost picture the person it’s written for.

The headhunter seemed experienced. She probably recognized the situation too, but still had to fulfill her client’s requests.

It’s quite an interesting situation.

Twenty years ago, the radish pit situation typically occurred in local businesses, and rarely in international companies. But nowadays, the trend has reversed.

【德】叔本华 著

• 人的命运的根本差异可能要从三个维度来界定：1）Ta是怎样的人：最广泛意义上的品行（健康、力量、美貌、气质、德性、智力及其所受的教育）；2）Ta拥有什么（各类财产、占有物）；3）在他人的评价中占据何种位置……第一个决定性地优于后两个…… 一个性格忧郁的人会把一场戏解读成一出悲剧；而对乐观派来说，可能只是一场有趣的冲突；对一颗冷漠的心来说，它可能是毫无意义的事情。
• 我们唯一力所能及的事，就是尽可能充分运用我们所拥有的个人品质，然后只追求那些能让这些个人品质发挥作用的事物，或者说努力去争取和这些个人品质完美契合的事物——除此之外，一概避免。
• “一个人的内在拥有什么”才是他幸福的首要因素。
• 最能让我们直接感到快乐的就是温和而开朗的情绪……确保和促进喜悦感，应该是我们在追求幸福的路上要努力达到的最高目标。
• 有了健康，一切都是快乐之源。