Beyond My Soul™

Elective Posting in Malaysia!

noreply@blogger.com (ChrisLee) — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 15:52:00 +0000

Hopefully can get my Elective posting done in Malaysia... not here!

Anyway, my heart told me to do back there, and that will be the final decision.

Otterbox Defender Series case for HTC Desire HD (A9191)

noreply@blogger.com (ChrisLee) — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 19:20:00 +0000

Just got my Otterbox Defender case for my HTC Desire HD from eBay. Overall it is a very good protection for the phone, but its bulky size cause an issue. If you plan to skateboarding or mountain climbing and still want your phone to be with you, surely this is a recommended accessories. Otherwise a really big bulky piece in the pocket might cause a pain in the ass.

I gone through the internet and hardly found picture comparing side by side of the Otterbox Defender with the Desire HD. That's why I don't really get my mind clear until I got the Defender.

Here is some picture of Otterbox defender taken with my Canon EOS 500D

Come in a package like this

Fresh out from package

Fresh out from box

Side views of it (hardly found in the internet)

Otterbox in the extra Holster

HTC Desire HD (on the left) & Otterbox Defender (on the right)

Overall is good but a bit bulky

HTC Desire HD

noreply@blogger.com (ChrisLee) — Sat, 05 Mar 2011 08:28:00 +0000

I got my HTC Desire HD, and had been using for nearly a month since. I can say I really LOVE it. Not to compare to what I first intended to get -- an iPhone 4 or whatsoever.

Tech Specs for HTC Desire HD is truly satisfying. No doubt it can be consider currently a top end smartphone for now.

HTC Desire HD vs iPhone 4 Comparison Chart

If anyone thinking of getting a HTC Desire HD... Go ahead!

Ten PC Commandments

noreply@blogger.com (ChrisLee) — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 20:32:00 +0000

I. Thou Shalt Not Fear Thy PC
The computer isn’t out to get you. It won’t explode suddenly. It harbors no sinister intelligence. Honestly, it’s really rather dumb.

II. Thou Shalt Save Thy Work
Whenever you’re creating something blazingly original, use the Save command at once! In fact, use the Save command even when you make something stupid that you don’t even want to save. You’re not going to run out of room on the PC’s storage system by saving stuff you don’t need, so why not save for the sake of it?

III. Thou Shalt Back Up Thy Files
Nothing beats having that just-in-case copy of your stuff. The computer itself can run a backup program to make that safety copy, or you can duplicate your files yourself. Either way, that secondary, backup copy can save your skin someday.

IV. That Shalt Not Open or Delete Things Unknownst
Here’s the rule, written in modern English: Delete only those files or folders you created yourself.

V. Thou Shalt Not Be a Sucker
The Bad Guys are successful in spreading their evil, malicious software on the Internet because people let down their guard. Don’t be a sucker for human engineering.

VI. Thou Shalt Use Antivirus Software, Yea Verily, and Keepeth It Up-to-Date
I highly recommend that you use antivirus software on your PC. Keep that software up-to-date.

VII. Thou Shalt Upgrade Wisely
New hardware and software come out all the time. The new stuff is generally better and faster, and it’s important to some people to be the First On The Block to have a new hardware gizmo or software upgrade. You don’t have to be that person.

VIII. Thou Shalt Compute at a Proper Posture
Using a computer can be a pain. Literally. You must observe proper posture and sitting position while you operate a PC. By doing so, you can avoid back strain and the risk of repetitive stress injury (RSI).

IX. Thou Shalt Keepeth Windows Up-to-Date
Microsoft keeps Windows continually fresh and updated. The updates fix problems, but they also address vulnerabilities that the Bad Guys exploit.

X. Thou Shalt Properly Shut Down Windows
When you’re done with Windows, shut it down. Choose the Shut Down command from the Start button menu. The PC automatically turns itself off.

2010 Summer Trip Reminisce

noreply@blogger.com (ChrisLee) — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 13:33:00 +0000

Mission: Travel around European cities
Date & Time Depart: 27 July 2010 12.00
Duration: 31 days

Preplan Destination: Riga (Latvia), Stockholm (Sweden), London (UK), Birmingham (UK), Manchester (UK), Liverpool (UK), Dublin (Ireland), Oslo (Norway)

Actual Destination: Riga (Latvia), Stockholm (Sweden), London (UK), Oxford (UK), Birmingham (UK), Manchester (UK), Sheffield (UK), Liverpool (UK), Dublin (Ireland), Oslo (Norway), Mora (Sweden)

House 39 on Fire again

noreply@blogger.com (ChrisLee) — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 10:01:00 +0000

New Template

noreply@blogger.com (ChrisLee) — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 18:56:00 +0000

Blogger release a new way of using new template for my everyone blog. I don't know when it started, but somehow I guess it started quite a long time ago.

Today I attended the 6th year graduation ceremony. To graduate is great ~~but might not really~~ for RSMU students. I can see their cheerful face everywhere they went. It is the ending of 6 years ~~torturing~~ education exclude for those who are in pre-medical years, that would total it up to 7 years.

So they are graduated. Fast and furious eh?

All the best to them in their future, especially their careers. By the way they shouldn't broke their sworn Hippocratic Oath, and in the verse it promise them this:

"If I do not violate this oath, may I enjoy life and art, respected while I live and remembered with affection thereafter. May I always act so as to preserve the finest traditions of my calling and may I long experience the joy of healing those who seek my help."

I just finish my 2nd year. Still got 4 years to go, long journey thou.

Bon Voyage!

Postal operators struggle to reach Russia

noreply@blogger.com (ChrisLee) — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 23:28:00 +0000

Customs rules blamed as DHL and UPS consider halting deliveries.

Russia's parcel post is failing to deliver - and that could spell disaster for next week's local start-up for auction website eBay.

DHL and UPS are the latest companies to complain of problems making international deliveries in Russia, a week after similar problems with national mail company Pochta Rossii were reported.

The two express-delivery firms have been forced to up their delivery times for four days to 10, Kommersant reported, and are seeking high-level talks with customs officials and Pochti Rossii bosses to discuss the issue.
A DHL employee was quoted as saying that new deliveries to Russia are no longer being accepted and existing parcels could be stuck in limbo for up to a month, waiting in transit warehouses in Europe.

The company's website released a statement saying it was working with the independent Association of Express Carriers to find a speedy solution.

UPS has similar problems, according to CEO Ivan Shatskikh, and is looking to join the talks with customs bosses. Unofficially, a source told Kommersant, deliveries to Russia may simply stop.

Pochta Rossii blames the customs service for the delays. On its website a statement said that all international parcels have to go to customs for screening and registration within a legally-defined timeframe, and once checked by the authorities they are delivered to customers the same day.

The statement added that the number of international deliveries rose by 50 to 90 per cent in the first two months of this year, and Pochta Rossii urges more customs points to open in a bid to tackle the problem.
However the customs union insists it has no problems and blamed the post office for failing to handle the extra deliveries, Kommersant reported.

Deliveries from Russia were not affected by the delays.

Internet auction site eBay, which is due to launch a Russian branch on March 25^th, reportedly refused to work with Russian buyers last week because of problems with deliveries. Site rules usually require delivery within 30 days, but sending goods to Russia could take up to two months.

The post service denied any complaints from eBay or similar websites but The Organization for the Protection of the Consumer Rights advised eBay customers to file lawsuits against Pochta Rossii and even offered help in compiling them.

woooo....

noreply@blogger.com (ChrisLee) — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 19:05:00 +0000

Microbiology exam, Russian Language exam, Physiology exam...
Except for Biochemistry which don't really make my life suffer...

Err... and what the microbiology teacher called it "Protocol"...
Still way so far to finish it.

And yet the mood is not here...
Wonder when I can finish my so what called "Protocol"

Happy Mother's Day

noreply@blogger.com (ChrisLee) — Sat, 08 May 2010 19:09:00 +0000

Dell XPS M1530 [Condemn]

noreply@blogger.com (ChrisLee) — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 11:12:00 +0000

Disclaimer: I accepts no liability for the content of this post, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided, unless that information is subsequently confirmed in writing. Any views or opinions presented in this post are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of myself. WARNING: Fans and any other supporters of Dell should not read the following post. I accepts no liability for any damage caused by mean of mentally or physically by reading this post.

First of all let's take a look at what is Dell XPS M1530

So that is what exactly mine look like

Have I mentioned my Dell sucks? Well it does. And it always has.

Procedure:

I buy at the price RM4000

Used 1.5 years

Now it can't even boot up. It boot up with white strips in black screen

Nothing can be done

I called Dell Moscow

Service damn bad

Can't speak fluent English

They ask me to go to a workshop which want me to pay 1000rubles for only diagnose

I called Dell Malaysia

They can speak better english

RM 1050 to repair my laptop

WTF is that?

Result:

Dell sucks! A laptop which compromise durability didn't work fine

Conclusion:

Do not buy Dell because of their website look good, or they promise something astonishing which will turn you an idiot like them.

2 Explosions Hit Moscow Metro

noreply@blogger.com (ChrisLee) — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 08:55:00 +0000

For more pictures: http://www.themoscowtimes.com/photogallery/2996/

At least 37 people were killed and 33 wounded on Monday when suicide bombers detonated explosives on two packed Moscow metro trains during the morning rush hour, the worst attack in the Russian capital in six years, officials said.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the blasts but suspicion was likely to fall on groups from the North Caucasus, where the Kremlin is fighting a growing Islamist insurgency.

The first blast just before 8 a.m. tore through the second carriage of a train as it stood at the Lubyanka metro station, close to FSB headquarters. It killed at least 23 people.

Another blast about 40 minutes later wrecked the second carriage of a train waiting at the Park Kultury metro station, killing 14 more people.

"Two female terrorist suicide bombers carried out these bombings," Moscow Mayor Yury Luzhkov told reporters at Park Kultury metro station.

Surveillance camera footage posted on the Internet showed motionless bodies lying in Lubyanka station lobby and emergency workers treating victims.

The Moscow metro system is one of the world's busiest, carrying about 7 million passengers on an average workday, and is a key element in running the sprawling and traffic-choked city.

The blasts practically paralyzed movement in the city center as emergency vehicles sped to the stations. Helicopters hovered over the Park Kultury station area, which is near the famous Gorky Park.

Service on the Red Line, on which both stations are located, has been suspended from Park Kultury to Komsomolskaya.

Passengers, many of them in tears, streamed out of the station, one man exclaiming over and over "This is how we live!"

At least a dozen ambulances were on the scene.

The ruble fell to 34.25 from 34.13 against the Central Bank's dollar-euro basket. Russian equity markets opened down 0.15 percent.

Prosecutors said they had opened an investigation. Prime Minister Vladimir Putin was being updated regularly on developments, a spokesman said.

The current death toll makes it the worst attack on Moscow since February 2004, when a suicide bombing killed at least 39 people and wounded more than 100 on a metro train.

Chechen separatists were blamed for that attack.

Wye Kitt's 24th Birthday

noreply@blogger.com (ChrisLee) — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 09:50:00 +0000

Say goodbye to your old self...

and have a new cake

Happy Birthday WyeKitt

They whom attend

Patrick, Kris, WyeKitt

WyeKitt, Eliz

WyeKitt, ChinKit

WyeKitt, Billy

ViVien

Angelina Beh

ЦСТ буфет (Che Ce Te Buffet)

noreply@blogger.com (ChrisLee) — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:32:00 +0000

The Missing Piece by Shel Silverstein

noreply@blogger.com (ChrisLee) — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 16:20:00 +0000

Health Tips - Cholesterol

noreply@blogger.com (ChrisLee) — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 10:53:00 +0000

I first expose to the word cholesterol when my dad tell me about this on his blood test report.

So why cholesterol?

Cholesterol is essential in body for multiple function.
-Cholesterol is need for manufacture of steroid hormone
-Cholesterol stimulate liver to produce bile acid (bile acid essential of digesting of fats)
-Cholesterol act as structural support of our cell (cell membrane), and also transportation.
-Cholesterol help to form the myelin sheath (a sheath that provide good conductivity of the neuron)
-Cholesterol is beneficial for body immune system

So let's review this:
Our body consist of a lot of hormone drive us go through our normal daily activities, lack of a bit of hormone may cause disease of the body.
As we knew that bile acid helps on digesting fats. High level of cholesterol stimulate liver to produce more bile acid, thus eliminate fats. Therefore not necessary only obese people risk of getting high level of cholesterol.
Our body need cholesterol to maintain structural support for cell membrane to function normally.
Myelin sheath is a sheath provide good conductivity of impulse between neuron. It is found abundantly in the brain. More myelin sheath can help the brain to prevent memory loss.

How does cholesterol transports?
Lipoproteins (act like a public bus for cholesterol)

Two type of lipoproteins
-High Density Lipoproteins (HDL)
Carry cholesterol away from artery to the liver and destroyed.

-Low Density Lipoproteins (LDL)
Build up in the inner wall forming a plaque. The hard deposit my block the artery and cause atherosclerosis.

But we need to know that:

Cholesterol prompt to cause Atherosclerosis (the hardening of the arteries). Because of this, high level of cholesterol will be very dangers for health.

Health problem cause by Atherosclerosis:
-Myocardial infarction (heart attack)
-Stroke (when blockage in the brain)
-Peripheral Vascular Disease

Way to reduce bad cholesterol:

1. Reduce total cholesterol (HDL+LDL) level
Regular aerobic exercise (jogging, brisk walking) and weight loss play an important role.

2. Reduce intake of saturated fats
List of saturated fats
Foods from animals that have high amounts of saturated fatty acids include beef, beef fat, veal, lamb, pork, lard, poultry fat, butter, cream, milk, cheeses and other dairy products made from whole milk.
Foods from plants that contain high amounts of saturated fatty acids include coconut oil, palm oil and palm kernel oil (often called tropical oils) and cocoa butter.

3. Raise HDL cholesterol

Onions, omega-3-acids, soluble fibers help to increase level of HDL (high density lipoprotein). List of food with high level of omega-3-fatty-acid: http://www.dietaryfiberfood.com/fats/omega-3-fatty-acid-epa-high-foods.php

4. Have at least 2 serving of soluble fibers daily

Soluble fiber is found in whole grains, oats and oat bran, brown rice, fruits such as citrus fruit, apples, grapes, etc. and legumes & lentils. The soluble fiber raises HDL levels and helps lower total cholesterol.

5.Increase your consumption of omega-3 fatty acid foods

such as fish, cold-pressed flaxseed oil, safflower oil, sunflower oil, canola oil, dark green vegetables, etc.

6.Avoid food sources of cholesterol such as egg yolk, liver, kidney, brains, etc.
List of food high in cholesterol content http://www.dietaryfiberfood.com/cholesterol-high-avoid.php

7.Avoid high fat dairy products such as regular milk, cheese and cream.

8.Reduce alcohol intake.
However, alcohol (wine or beer) in moderation may raise HDL levels.

9.Avoid Trans-Fatty Acids

These bad fats are found in many fried foods and even in many cookies, crackers, fast food, snack food, fried food and baked goods industries. Check the nutrition labels on your food and keep away from these.

Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cholesterol
http://www.fatfreekitchen.com/cholesterol/raise-hdl-cholesterol.html
http://www.dietaryfiberfood.com/cholesterol-high-avoid.php
http://www.dietaryfiberfood.com/fats/omega-3-fatty-acid-epa-high-foods.php

2010 Chinese New Year Celebration II

noreply@blogger.com (ChrisLee) — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 15:21:00 +0000

... continue from the previous post, that is all about the food.
Now I going to describe the people that night (and obviously it is also with pictures).

There are roughly 18 people attend during the Chinese New Year eve celebrating with me. I know most of them, but also some exception.

Angelina(host), Eliz, Zhang Lu(host)

Angelina, Kristina, Mei Kuen(host), Pauline

Dominic, Billy, Yen Sheng

All of them

Vi Vien

Chris

Vi Vien (again)

Chin Kit

Vi Vien, Angelina

Billy, Yen Sheng

Eliz

Dominic

Tze Yin

Betty

All of them

Tze Yin

Eliz, Betty

Anand, Vi Vien

Yen Sheng, Giju

Zhang Lu's dog

Vi Vien, Yi Jun

Allysha, Chin Kit

And thanks again for Angelina, Mei Kuen and Zhang Lu dedicate the place and decoration. Thanks for everyone who prepared the food. Wish you guys enjoy auspiciously throughout this year.

Last but not least, wish everyone having a prosperous Chinese New Year. The Year of Golden Tiger.

2010 Chinese New Year Celebration

noreply@blogger.com (ChrisLee) — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 17:00:00 +0000

It is good to hear that we have come to a Chinese New Year. Thanks for the host so that we could celebrate our Chinese New Year merrily in a cosy room : )

So I would like to slightly describe the food that night (not with word of course).

Have a nice time during Chinese New Year eve, although tiring at the young late night.

Last day of 2010 Winter Holiday

noreply@blogger.com (ChrisLee) — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 19:48:00 +0000

Well finally, the last day of 2010 Winter holiday. That means no more "lepak" time again.

Pictures of who follow me to Kurskaya, thanks for the caring and all the warm dinner you guys had for me during the cold winter holiday.

Khoo Vi Vien

Patrick Lim Soo How

Betty Ling Sie Leh

Wong Chin Kitt

Pros
no more time wasting
no more money wasting

Cons
no more happy time
stress and pressure get to say hello

PS: Thanks to my blockmate Toh for present me a Big Ben souvenir from U.K.

The Dream of a Butterfly

noreply@blogger.com (ChrisLee) — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 21:51:00 +0000

It was a cool evening in ancient China. Chuang Tzu's friend went looking for him at the local inn. He found Chuang Tzu sitting at a table, sipping his drink in a contemplative mood.

"There you are!" Chuang Tzu's friend greeted him. "I thought by now you would be telling everybody another one of your stories. Why so quiet?"

"There is a question on my mind," said Chuang Tzu, "a question about existence."

"I see. Would you like me to leave you alone to your thoughts?"

"No, let me share it with you. Perhaps you can provide me with your perspective."

"My perspective is of little value, but I would be glad to listen." He pulled up a chair.

"I was out for a stroll late in the afternoon," said Chuang Tzu. "I went to one of my favorite spots under a tree. I sat there, thinking about the meaning of life. It was so warm and pleasant that I soon relaxed, dozed off, and drifted into a dream. In my dream, I found myself flying up above the field. I looked behind me and saw that I had wings. They were large and beautiful, and they fluttered rapidly. I had turned into a butterfly! It was such a feeling of freedom and joy, to be so carefree and fly around so lightly in any way I wished. Everything in this dream felt absolutely real in every way. Before long, I forgot that I was ever Chuang Tzu. I was simply the butterfly and nothing else."

"I've had dreams of flying myself, but never as a butterly," Chuang Tzu's friend said. "This dream sounds like a wonderful experience."

"It was, but like all things, it had to end sooner or later. Gradually, I woke up and realized that I was Chuang Tzu after all. This is what puzzles me."

"What is so puzzling about it? You had a nice dream, that's all there is to it."

"What if I am dreaming right now? This conversation I am having with you seems real in every way, but so did my dream. I thought I was Chuang Tzu who had a dream of being a butterfly. What if I am a butterfly who, at this very moment, is dreaming of being Chuang Tzu?"

"Well, I can tell you that you are actually Chuang Tzu, not a butterfly."

Chuang Tzu smiled: "You may simply be part of my dream, no more or less real than anything else. Thus, there is nothing you can do to help me identify the distinction between Chuang Tzu and the butterfly. This, my friend, is the essential question about the transformation of existence."

原文：
昔者庄周梦为胡蝶，栩栩然胡蝶也。自喻适志与！不知周也。俄然觉，则蘧蘧然周也。
不知周之梦为胡蝶与？胡蝶之梦为周与？？周与胡蝶则必有分矣。此之谓物化。

译文：
庄周梦见自己变成一只蝴蝶，飘飘然，十分轻松惬意。这时全然忘记了自己是庄周。一会儿醒来，对自己还是庄周十分惊奇疑惑。认真想一想，不知是庄周做梦变成蝴蝶呢，还是蝴蝶做梦变成庄周？

Many philosophers and students of the Tao feel that of all the stories ever told by Chuang Tzu, this is the one that best captures his essence. There is so much agreement on this that the butterfly has come to represent Chuang Tzu in Chinese culture. But what is so special about this story? It seems rather short and simple, so why do people consider it to be so imporant?

One thing that sages have observed about the world is that many people talk too much but convey little that is meaningful. The Tao seems to be the opposite in that it says nothing and yet expresses everything. The sages occupy a position between the two in that they speak concisely but convey a world of wisdom. This characteristic applies to Chuang Tzu and this story as well - it may not seem to say much, and yet embedded within it are four important lessons for us to ponder.

First Lesson: Oneness

By connecting himself with the butterfly, Chuang Tzu is pointing out that all living things are united by the life force within them. The drive to survive and thrive in us is the very same drive that also exists in everything from the largest creatures to the smallest insects. When we recognize this, we can begin to see ourselves as part of nature rather than apart from nature.

Chuang Tzu has chosen the butterfly deliberately to emphasize this point. In terms of appearance, the butterfly seems as different from a human being as anything can be. Nevertheless, at a fundamental level it is exactly like us - a manifestation of life, and therefore of the Tao, in the material world.

If we can say that about a butterfly, then we can say that about anything. Therefore, one of the most basic truths in the world is that all are one.

Second Lesson: Life is Like a Dream

Chuang Tzu also points out in this story that a dream can seem every bit as real as our waking existence. All the sights and sounds, feelings and emotions in the dream can be just as vivid and intense as our experience in reality.

This lesson is an exercise in detachment in two areas of life: emotional obsessions and material obsessions. The key to this lesson is the realization that if we can see how dreams can seem completely real, then we can also see how reality can be just like a dream.

We can become emotionally obsessive when we interact with others. Sometimes people say positive things about us and we grasp onto their compliments and approval; sometimes they say negative things instead and we cling to the destructive feelings of taking offense or being attacked.

Let us use the negative side as an example. Suppose someone has said something that you find extremely hurtful and insulting, and you become angry. You wish to regain your tranquility, but your anger makes it impossible. What to do?

Step one: recall to mind Chuang Tzu's equivalence between dream-state and reality. If you experience the insult in a dream, you would feel just as hurt, offended and angry.

Step two: realize that you already have a natural ability to deal with it. If the event occurred in a dream, you would simply shrug it off upon awakening. It's only a dream; everything's okay. We have all done this before. We are all experts in dealing with bad dreams.

Step three: apply this natural ability to deal with your negative emotions. Although the event has actually occurred and isn't a dream, your emotional reactions to it are, again, exactly identical. This basic equivalence gives you the leverage to manage your rage. Handle the negativity as if it is the result from a nightmare, and reflect on how in some ways this is literally true. Soon you'll discover letting the anger go is not so impossible after all.

Third Lesson: Awakening Awareness

Becoming fully awake is a powerful metaphor in spiritual cultivation. The word "buddha" literally means someone who has become fully awakened. Compared to this true state of wakefulness, our everyday consciousness resembles sleep, and everything we consider real in life turns out to have no more reality than a dream that fades into nothingness.

This may be difficult to understand. After all, at this very moment you probably feel very much awake. Why would anyone say you are asleep when you know you aren't?

The truth is that almost everyone operates at a low level of awareness most of the time. Consider the last time you locked a door, walked away, and then had to go back to double-check because you couldn't be sure you actually locked it. Or, think of the last time you walked into a room and couldn't remember why you went in there. Were you looking for something? If so, what was it? Chances are you had to retrace your steps just to reconnect with your original intent.

If you've ever had experiences similar to the above, then you already understand Chuang Tzu's point. As we go through the motions in day-to-day existence, we seem to be sleepwalking most of the time. Once in a while we have a moment of clarity, like a sleeper awakening just enough to check the alarm clock, and then we go right back into slumber.

How can we become more fully awake? This is something that requires persistent effort. Tao cultivators who focus on this aspect of life would consistently practice being present. Through diligent repetition, they develop the habit to always ask themselves "What exactly am I doing right now?" and "What exactly is going on around me right now?" People who do this invariably make surprising discoveries. They catch themselves doing things that make little sense, or they suddenly become aware of something significant and obvious that somehow eluded their notice before. The more they practice this, the better they get at it, and being in the moment becomes a more natural and much more frequent occurrence.

Fourth Lesson: Transformation

The last lesson from Chuang Tzu is also the most important. The butterfly in the story is crucial, because it represents joyous freedom - a liberating state of spirituality where one transcends fears, just like the butterfly flying free of the limitations imposed by gravity. A Tao cultivator who achieves this freedom becomes an unbounded individual, not held back by emotional or material attachments that tie most people down.

The transformation that Chuang Tzu speaks of in this story, in conjunction with the butterfly, form a powerful imagery that represents the complete process of Tao cultivation. We start out making slow progress, learning one lesson after another, just like the caterpillar crawling slowly, eating its way through leaves.

After sufficient accumulation of knowledge over a period of time, the mind begins processing the information to extract wisdom for the soul. This is a time of meditation, reflection and quietude, much like the fully grown caterpillar going into the chrysalis stage.

Then, the magical metamorphosis begins. Miniature wings, almost imperceptible, expand rapidly to become much larger. A spectacular transformation takes place, and the stunning creature that emerges from the chrysalis bears no resemblance to its former self. The child has become the adult.

In the same way, someone who goes through the metamorphosis of the Tao has become a new person. The Tao cultivator has transformed into a sage. The wings of spirituality have expanded to become much larger, much more colorful and beautiful.

Now we can see even more clearly that Chuang Tzu chose the butterfly with careful deliberation. It is also quite obvious now why the butterfly has come to represent Chuang Tzu in Chinese culture. Every piece of the puzzle fits together so well that it simply cannot be any other way.

Is Chuang Tzu telling us with this story that we all have the potential to turn into the butterfly?

Yes, but not without going through the larval and pupal stages. To jump directly into the butterfly stage can only be a dream that soon comes to an end. If you encounter people who claim to be enlightened, be especially cautious, because in all likelihood they are merely caterpillars no different from you and me. They may be convinced they are the butterfly, but that’s because they are dreaming.

What Chuang Tzu has given us is a glimpse of what we can achieve through Tao cultivation. If we have patience, diligence and faith as we seek and consume nutritious leaves, then the day will come when we go into the chrysalis and eventually emerge from it. That is when we will know... that the joyous freedom of the butterfly is no longer a dream!

T.G.I. Fridays Outing

noreply@blogger.com (ChrisLee) — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 20:24:00 +0000

Post-exam lunch? or just someone's idea to go to T.G.I. Fridays
Err.. just a coincidence today is Friday

What drink? Colourless

Vi Vien

Went for lunch, and then after that to Alamin Travel for the refund. 6000r. WOOT! That means no more Egypt. Later on spent some time on the so claimed largest Europe shopping mall Golden Babylon Rostokino.

Well that was humongous big, especially for the media mart. Deciding to buy a pouch for my camera but can't make a decision. There is a lot of electronic device. Having fun with a lagging Alienware cost 99999r.

'Avatar' Officially Overtakes 'Titanic'

noreply@blogger.com (ChrisLee) — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 14:22:00 +0000

Avatar hit IMDb All-Time Worldwide Box office rank no.1

It's official - "Avatar" is the new king of the world... or at least, the worldwide box office.
On Monday, the James Cameron-directed film passed Cameron's own "Titanic" as the highest grossing film of all-time, taking in $1.859 billion globally - after only 37 days in theaters.

Review Kitaisky Kvartal @ Moscow

noreply@blogger.com (ChrisLee) — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 03:06:00 +0000

Kitaisky Kvartal is a Chinese restaurant located in the Taganskaya Square of Moscow city.

Peking Chicken

I went to this restaurant with Vivien for our celebration. We order quite a number of food that day. There is a variety of Chinese food served in this restaurant. Among the famous one there is Peking duck, Peking chicken, Gu-Lo pork meat, brine duck, fried pork ribs, Guang Dong fried duck, stewd carp, Guang Dong tiger shrimp, shark fin soup, soup dumpling (little basket bun) which is served in bamboo basket.

Among the drinks, inevitably there is surely liquors in Moscow restaurant. There is other drinks like other normal beverages, cocktails, wines and the difference from others is the varies sort and varieties of Chinese tea provided. From typical chinese tea (Chrysanthemum tea, Wu Long tea) to Japanese green tea.

The price of this restaurant is fairly okay. As prices are not very unreasonable, but slightly slant to the expensive bar. Foods and drinks for 4 person will roughly cause about 2200-2700 rubles. For a Chinese this surely hit the "Oh yes this is a nice deal", as Chinese food is a memory to be recall.

Ambient Rating: 7.0/10
Food Rating: 7.5/10

Price Rating: 7.0/10

Service Rating: 6.8/10

Overall Rating: 7.1/10

Daddy's Letter

noreply@blogger.com (ChrisLee) — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 09:35:00 +0000

苦尽甘来，虽有一定的道理，但却不一定是每个人都愿意接受的人生哲学。辛苦，只不过是一种相对的标准。具备吃苦的能力及愿意吃苦的态度之后，人生的脚步就踏实多了。无论你相不相信，吃得苦中苦，方为人上人的说法，但可以确定的是，不愿忍受辛苦的人，即使侥幸获得成功，也无法品味其中的甘美。祝苦中作乐，乐在其中。

Chinese Quartal Dinner 1st Year Anniversary w Vivien

noreply@blogger.com (ChrisLee) — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 20:28:00 +0000