2019-07-27

"Spring Poetic Painting by Teachers and Students in Beijing" by Qing Dynasty Xu Yang (清代画家徐扬·《京师生春诗意图》)

【Aiden in English】

        The food is good. That's a simple fact anyone can draw up regarding China. There isn't a bad meal insight. But everyone already knows that.

        One would say eight days in a country across the globe is too short. I say it's perfe

2019-07-26

【Aiden in English】

        And I thought my dining experience was luxurious in Fragrant Pavilion in Hangzhou. 

        When one mentions "fit for a king", one sees a massive set of food in front of a gluttonous man with a gold crown and handlebar mustache. In China, that fat man is replaced by the given dictator of that generation, and he doesn't have a mustache. Disregard my tangent. Ton

2019-07-25

"Night Revels of Han Xizai" by the Southern Tang Painter Hongzhong Gu (南唐画家顾闳中·《韩熙载夜宴图》)

【Aiden in English】

        There are two types of people.

        Normal people and people who take dumps on a plane.

        Like who takes dumps on a plane? 

        A firetruck on fire is just a firetruck.

        I'm a ter

2019-07-24

【You say…】

        You say that you love rain,

          but you open your umbrella when it rains...

          You say that you love the sun,

          but you find a shadow spot when the sun shines...

          You say that you love the wind,

          But you close your windows when the wind blows...

&

2019-07-24

【You say…】

        You say that you love rain,

        but you open your umbrella when it rains...

        You say that you love the sun,

        but you find a shadow spot when the sun shines...

        You say that you love the wind,

        But you cl

2019-07-24

【You say…】

        You say that you love rain,

          but you open your umbrella when it rains...

          You say that you love the sun,

          but you find a shadow spot when the sun shines...

          You say that you love the wind,

          But you close your windows when the wind blows...

&

2019-07-24

【You say…】

        You say that you love rain,

          but you open your umbrella when it rains...

          You say that you love the sun,

          but you find a shadow spot when the sun shines...

          You say that you love the wind,

          But you close your windows when the wind blows...

&

2019-07-24

【You say…】

        You say that you love rain,

          but you open your umbrella when it rains...

          You say that you love the sun,

          but you find a shadow spot when the sun shines...

          You say that you love the wind,

          But you close your windows when the wind blows...

&

2019-07-24

Prosperous Suzhou by the Qing Painter Yang Xu (清代画家徐扬·《姑苏繁华图》)

【Aiden in English】

        Up above there is heaven; down below there are Suzhou and Hangzhou.

        I asked my mom what the difference was between the four attractions*, we saw in Suzhou today and yesterday. She said that some were... bigger. Amazing. Imagine the most generic Asian temple in the most generic Asian setting. Alright, you'

2019-07-23

【You say…】

        You say that you love rain,

        but you open your umbrella when it rains...

        You say that you love the sun,

        but you find a shadow spot when the sun shines...

        You say that you love the wind,

        But you cl

2019-07-23

【You say…】

       You say that you love rain,

         but you open your umbrella when it rains...

         You say that you love the sun,

         but you find a shadow spot when the sun shines...

         You say that you love the wind,

         But you close your windows when the wind blows...

         Thi

2019-07-23 

【Aiden in English】

        Suzhou is full of quirks. What are quirks? Well, it's a characteristic that makes one tilt the head a bit. Suzhou is quite full of mentioned quirks. I am going to elaborate.

        I'd never in a hundred years think that Pennsylvania summertime would be 'cool'; but in the face of hell's kitchen, I feel like even my high school's fans would be of grea

2019-07-22

【Aiden in English】

        Fine dining just took on a new meaning for me. 

        When people eat gold, it's the equivalent of running expensive wine through a wire mesh and throwing out the wine that passes through as if expecting to retain some nutrients. Luckily, I did not eat gold tonight. No, what a waste that would be. But I bring up gold because it certainly feels like we dined as wasteful arist

2019-07-22

【Far and Near】

Cheng GU (1949—1993)

     You,

     you look at me one moment

     and at clouds the next.

     I feel

     when you're looking at me, you're far away,

    but when you're looking at the clouds, how could we be nearer!

—— • —— • —— • —— • —— • —— • —— • ——

【《远和近》】

顾城(1956生—1

2019-07-22

【A Song of a Little Sparrow】

Dan JIAN 

         Only a step away, I would catch you.

         But I gave up.

         I gave up because

         An old sparrow I saw.

         Under the roof, my son stood in the shadow.

         Got it? Son asked.

2019-07-22

【Spring On Lake Qiantang】

Juyi BAI (772—846)

      West of Pavilion Jia, north of Lonely Hill,

      Water brims level with the bank and clouds hang low.

      Among some sunny trees the first orioles trill;

      Down from the eaves to peck in mud young swallows go.

      My eyes seem dazzled by f

2019-07-22

【Some People Don't Say Much】

Dong HAN (1961—)

        some people don’t say much 

        they are neither mute nor introverted 

        saying only what’s necessary 

        speaking only when courtesy demands it 

        floating on the surface of speech 

 &n

2019-07-22

【Night Observations】

Lan WA

       Who in deep night measures the area of darkness

       An angel? An Owl? A schizophrenic patient? 

         Surveyor? Insomniac? Poet? Departed sage

         Forest, high mountain, the abyss

         A goose rises skyward in sudden fligh

2019-07-22

【Monologue】

Yongming ZHAI (1955—)

     I, a rhapsodist, am full of the charm of the abyss

     given fortuitous birth to by you. earth and sky

     unite as one, you call me a woman

     and strengthen my body

     I am as soft as the white-feathered body of the water

     carrying me in your hands, I hold this world

    &

2019-07-21

【Single Heart】

Qi AN (1969—)

        Single heart aches to be double, so it adds self to

        the purity of a river and

        the dawn of a garden.

        It learns Tao,

        round PAST for three,

        round NOW for three, and

2019-07-21

【Aiden in English】

        A lotus flower grows to a certain height. Within a patch, the ideal situation for all is that each grows to the same height. Life would be simple for every plant.

        On my way to the hotel room in West Lake State Guest House, I spotted a grove of lotus plants bundled together near the bank. They varied in height, some shading others. The flowers on top grew in size and surfac

2019-07-20

【Sunset and Moonrise on the River】

Juyi BAI (772—846)

      The last departing rays pave their way on the river;

      Half its waves turn red and all the others shiver.

      How I pity the third night of the ninth month, alas!

     The moon looks like a bow, dewdrops like pearls on grass.

—— • —— • —— • —— • —— • —— • —— • ——

【《暮江吟》】

白居易(772生—846卒)

一道

2019-07-20

【Mount Heaven's Gate Viewed from Afar】

Bai LI (701—762)

      Breaking Mount Heaven's Gate, the great River rolls through,

      Its east-flowing green billows hurled back here, turn north.

      From the two river banks thrust out the mountains blue,

      Leaving the sun behind, a lonely sail comes forth.

—— • —— • —— • —— • —— • —— • —— • ——

【《望天门山》】

李白(701生—762卒)

天门

2019-07-20

【Tune: " Fair South Recalled"】

Juyi BAI (772—846)

      Fair southern shore

      With scenes I much adore;

      At sunrise riverside flowers redder than fire,

     In spring green river waves grow as blue as sapphire,

      Which I can't but admire.

—— • —— • —— • —— • —— • —— • —— • ——

【《忆江南》】

白居易(772生—846卒)

2019-07-20

        南京三伏天气温通常在38^oC/100^oF以上，如果是单纯的干热反倒没什么可怕，但出了黄梅霉雨的七月，空气湿度依旧很大，炎热指数往往超过42^oC/107^oF，因此只要外出活动，浑身燥热汗如雨下，感觉就像生活在蒸笼里面似的。站在生物医学角度来看，人体内有一种热休克蛋白，具有应激反应性功能，42^oC/107^oF高温条件容易大量诱导产生，从而保护机体免受伤害。估计蓝鲸人热休克蛋白表达高于正常水平，对热的耐受性自然要比突然造访的我们强出百倍，今天上午参观完南京长江大桥并转悠过中华门瓮城之

2019-07-19

【Aiden in English】

        Nanjing is a rather interesting city designated as the UNESCO City of Literature in 2019. However, among the other cities of my traveling career, it does not deserve to be revisited for a fourth blog post. Yet last night, a peculiar thought crossed my mind. What amazing flash of enlightenment entered my head? Well, I need to tell you how my night went first.

        Ever since my arrival, m

2019-07-18

【Aiden in English】

        And we're back. China beckoned re-adventure, and I answered the call. Well, technically, my mother answered and dragged me along. The story went a little like this.

        "How was your day, Aiden?"

        "Alright, nothing much."

        "Any big news in sports?"

        "Yeah, a lot of stuff has been happening."

2018-08-25

【Thoughts on a Silent Night】

Bai LI (701—762)

             Before my bed a pool of light—

             Is it hoarfrost upon the ground?

             Eyes raised, I see the moon so bright;

             Head bent, in homesickness, I'm drowned.

—— • —— • —— • —— • —— • —— • —— • ——

【《静夜思》】

李白(701生—762

2018-08-25

【Seeing Meng Haoran off at Yellow Crane Tower】

Bai LI (701—762)

        My friend has left the west where towers Yellow Crane

        For River Town when willow-down and flowers reign.

        His lessening sail is lost in a boundless azure sky,

        Where I see but the endless River rolling by.

—— • —— • —— • —— • —— • —— • —— • ——

【《黄鹤楼送孟浩然之广陵》】

李白(70

2018-08-25

【Aiden in English】

        Well, it's the final day. I can't say I'm glad to go home, but YouTube and Snapchat, and Instagram do have a large hole that food can't fill. In addition, I miss air conditioning and not being sweaty all day. I would say Philadelphia is a rather hot city temperature-wise, but the air feels crisp and refreshing, not a massive wet towel plastered to your skin. Speaking of which, a cool shower would feel g

2018-08-24

【Aiden in English】

        Today truly was the first day I felt this adventure in China was almost over. Thirty-six hours in Nanjing, twenty-four more in Beijing, and then fourteen hours sitting in one place surrounded by strangers while flying through freezing clouds. Oddly enough, when the finish line is in sight, Mom slows the pace down, deciding now would be the best time to spend some family time. 

      &n

2018-08-24

【The Answer】

Dao BEI (1949—)

    Baseness is the secret knock of the base

    Integrity is the epitaph of the noble

    Look how the gilded sky drifts full of

    The inverted crooked reflections of the dead

    The ice age has passed,

    So why are there icicles everywhere?

&nb

2018-08-23

【Declaration for Luoke YU】

Dao BEI (1949—)

          Perhaps the final hour comes

          I have left no testament

          Only a pen, for my mother

          I am no hero

          In an age without heroes

          I just want to be a man

          The still horizon

  &n

2018-08-23

【Coming Home at Night】

Dao BEI (1949—)

 After braving the music of the air raid alarm

 I hang my shadow on the hat-stand

 take off the dog's eyes (which I use for escape)

 remove my false teeth (these final words)

 and close my astute and experienced pocket watch (that garrisoned heart)

 The hours fall in the water one after the other

 in my dreams like depth bombs they explode

—— • —— • —— • —— • —— • —— •

2018-08-23

【A Country Night】

Dao BEI (1949—)

          Evening sunshine and distant hills

          fold into a crescent moon

          passing through an elmwood

          the bird nest is empty

          a path encircles the pond

          chasing a dog with a dirty coat

        up to

2018-08-23

【Farewell Doesn't Mean Forgetting】

Dao BEI (1949—)

            I'm leaving for a distant place.

            Don't blame me for going too far way.

            I will tell you why.

            We share the same moon every night.

  &nb

2018-08-23

【Nice to Meet You】

Dao BEI (1949—)

            I don't remember how many times

            I've prayed in secret

            For my dream to come true.

            One day

            We

2018-08-23

【Aiden in English】

        Shanghai was fun while it lasted, and two days certainly do not do it justice. That is also why Mom furiously pushed the exploration of Shanghai yesterday and today. Luckily, we covered a good bit of the touristic section last night, so all that was left near the city center was Shanghai Tower and its surrounding metal forest. 

         An oasis is normally describing a

2018-08-22

【Hope and Dashed Hope】

Dao BEI (1949—)

      Hope, hope, where can I find hope?

      Between the collapse of two waves,

      Between two rippled peaks,

     And in the valley of waves, there hides hope.

     If hope's peak never sinks into valleys,

     The sea shall lose its exist

2018-08-22

【Aiden in English】

        Alright, so now I'm in Shanghai... That was fast. I guess it's expected of a bullet train. Leaving Nanjing in the late morning, we arrived in Shanghai at midday, receiving a very, very warm welcome with delicious Shanghai cuisine. Luckily, the humidity dialed down a notch to a bearable level, and many shops in Shanghai had air conditioning. 

        I suppose that wou

2018-08-21

【On Phoenix Terrace at Jinling】

Bai LI (701—762)

       On Phoenix Terrace once phoenixes came to sing,

       The birds are gone but still roll on the river's waves.

       The ruined palace's buried 'neath the weeds in spring;

       The ancient sages in caps and gowns all lie in graves.

       The three-pe

2018-08-21

【To Wang Lun Who Comes to Bid Me Farewell】

Bai LI (701—762)

        I, Li Bai sit aboard a ship about to go,

        When suddenly on shore footsteps and songs o'erflow.

        The Lake of Peach Blossom is a thousand fathoms deep,

        But not so deep as the friendship Wang Lun and I keep.

—— • —— • —— • —— • —— • —— • —— • ——

【《赠汪伦》】

李白(701生—762卒)

李白

2018-08-21

【On Death-Bed】

Bai LI (701—762)

        When flies the roc, he shakes the world.

        In mid-air, his weakened wings are furled.

        The wind he's raised still stirs the sea,

        He hangs his left wing on the sun-side tree.

        Posterity mine, hear, O, hear!

2018-08-21

【Aiden in English】

        I've heard plenty of demonic college anecdotes. In some ways, the stories line up with the Marine Corps, terrifying experiences by banding together strangers into bonds stronger than bullets. In this case, it appears college years make bonds strong enough to even survive the test of time.

        You know, normally meeting old friends at a hospital isn't a good thing. However, when most of th

2018-08-20

【The Summit Temple】

Bai LI (701—762)

         A hundred feet high the Summit Temple stands,

       Where I could pluck the stars with my own hands.

         At dead of night, I dare not speak aloud

         For fear of waking dwellers in the cloud.

—— • —— • —— • —— • —— • —— • —— • ——

【《夜宿山寺》】

李白(701生—762卒)

危楼高百尺，

手可摘星辰

2018-08-20

【The Waterfall in Mount Lu Viewed from Afar • II】

Bai LI (701—762)

       The sunlit Censer Peak exhales incense-like cloud,

       The cataract hangs like an upended stream sounding loud.

       Its torrent dashes down three thousand feet from high

       As if the Silver River fell from the azure sky.

—— • —— • —— • —— • —— • —— • —— • ——

【《望庐山瀑布 •

2018-08-20

【Aiden in English】

        Mixed in between the constant ingestion of food and sweating, this summer trip was sprinkled with visits to friends in China. Friends normally meant old college folks mom hasn’t seen in three decades, so most of the time, I felt detached from the conversation, hence the time to write these journal entries. Each friend often gave long, elaborate hellos that were cut short by my mom in order to fit in the time slot within a busy

2018-08-19

【The Moon over the Eyebrow Mountains】

Bai LI (701—762)

      The crescent moon looks like old Autumn's golden brow,

      Its deep reflection flows with limpid water blue.

      I'll leave the town on Clear Stream for Three Canyons now.

      O Moon, how I miss you when you are out of view!

—— • —— • —— • —— • —— • —— • —— • ——

【《峨眉山月歌》】

李白(701生—762卒)

峨眉山月半轮秋，

影入