Tao Te Ching

[Tal]

http://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/lao-tzu/works/tao-te-ching/index.gif (http://www.geocities.com/~jimclatfelter/jimztao.html)

The Tao Te Ching (http://www.beatrice.com/TAO.html) was written in ancient China over 2500 years ago.

Winnie the Pooh (http://www.algorithms.com/users/belascot/pooh.html) is a character from a children's book written by A.A. Milne in 1925.

What more to say? ;)

[Fredfredson]

Those who know others are intelligent; those who know themselves have insight.

Those who master others have force; those who master themselves have strength.

Those who know what is enough are wealthy.

Those who persevere have aspiration.

Those who maintain their position endure.

And those who die and yet do not perish, live on.

Dao De Jing

"Well," said Pooh, "what I like best -- " and then he had to stop and think. Because although Eating Honey was a very good thing to do, there was a moment just before you began to eat it which was better than when you were, but he didn't know what it was called.

[Tal]

:) Great quotes Fred. A lot of beauty and wisdom to be found in Chinese culture for sure. I've been learning Mandarin recently and reading about the culture and the history. I'm applying for a teaching position there starting in September.

How about this:

If you think Superman or Spiderman has been around a long time, think about Monkey. He has been China’s favorite superhero for at least five centuries. He’s amazingly strong, he can fly, and he has a few tricks those other superheroes never heard of. And he’s always ready to do battle with demons, dragons—sometimes even the gods.

Monkey stars in The Journey to the West (http://www.china-on-site.com/monkey.php), an epic comic fantasy from the sixteenth century. The part retold here is about Monkey’s early history—and the one time he didn’t come out on top.

Monkey: A Superhero Tale of China (http://www.aaronshep.com/stories/036.html)

http://www.myimgs.com/data/Talche/monkey.jpg
(http://www.ewtoo.org/~matt/monkey/story.htm)

Some may remember the gloriously hokey Japanese TV series Monkey (http://www.monkeyheaven.com/).

[cwinton]

I've been learning Mandarin recently and reading about the culture and the history. I'm applying for a teaching position there starting in September.

WHAT?!?! Do tell!!!!

[Tal]

:D Not much to tell right right now (still negotiating salary and so on) but my current plan is to be in the southern city of Shantou (http://members.cox.net/amyeldridge/shantou_002.htm) from September. The job would be teaching English to medical students at the University and would be for at least a year!

It would be a big change for me (have to admit to being nervous!) but it would also be an adventure and the chance to see things and places I've never seen before. Wish me luck!

[Dave]

Tal go for it!! Any opportunities like the one you have come along very rarely. Grab it with both hands and good luck :)

[Tal]

:cheers Thanks mate! In fact only five minutes ago I received formal notification of the job offer from my contact there, and have just emailed back my acceptance, so it looks like I'm on my way! :)

Omigorsh, the enormity of it is really starting to sink in! http://smiley.onegreatguy.net/scared.gif

Oh well, here's to the future! :D

(PS. My boss is called Dr. Hu! Now you know where your nemesis is hiding!)

[Tal]

Just to continue the China theme and offer something new to be charmed or amazed by, I cannot resist posting a link to this amusing site (http://chake.chinatefl.com/phomo2k3.html) I found recently.

Scroll down the page to enjoy pics of the amazing replicas of the White House and Mount Rushmore that have been created in China's 'America Land' amusement park!

The What House!

Near Hangzhou is a nice tourist trap called the Song Dynasty City. It's a restored ancient city from the Song Dynasty. At the front gate, you'll see a huge sign for another tourist trap called "America World". Some crazy developer here decided to build a theme park with an American theme right next door to an ancient Song City.

And guess what sits right in the middle of America World? A full-size replica of The White House. I almost dropped my camera when I turned the corner and came upon this view. Other replicas in the park include the Washington monument (under construction-that's the scaffolding for it on the left) and the Magic Castle of Disney Land.

http://chake.chinatefl.com/images/hzwh_small.jpg

[PhilosopherA]

I think Bruce Lee must have gotten much of his philosophy from the Tao Te Ching. One of the important points it makes is that we should strive to be like water. When we think of strength we think of a rock, but a rock can wear down and crack over time. What destroys the rock? Among other things, water. Water cannot be destroyed; it only changes form. Water is humble. It seeks the lowest point. It can be refreshing in a glass or a bath tub, but it can be highly destructive in a river or ocean. It is precicely because of water's humility and it's lack of resistance to change that it is so powerful.