贾岛《题李凝幽居》
闲居少邻并，草径入荒园。
鸟宿池边树，僧敲月下门。
过桥分野色，移石动云根。
暂去还来此，幽期不负言。
看到贾岛的这首诗，不禁让老朽回忆起，当年当学生时，语文教师刘老师专门用一节课时间，给我们讲了“推敲”一词的来历！贾大诗人在究竟用“僧推月下门”？还是用“僧敲月下门”？举棋不定！刘老师让我们学生选择“推”还是“敲”？并要说出理由！老朽当年是“初生牛犊不怕虎”第一个举手回答：既然贾岛是去拜访友人，还是用敲比较好，因为别人的门晚间必定是拴着门的，你推也推不开！没想到，我歪打正着，正与韩愈敲定的一样，用“敲”，显得不唐突，🈶礼貌！受到刘老师的当场表演！
2013年，老朽首次踏上澳洲土地时，全澳洲总人口只有2313万，而现在有2600多万！十年时间，从世界各国移民来澳洲的居然将近300万！如此一来，势必推高房价！澳洲的房价也的确是一路高歌猛进！谁说鬼佬不聪明？鬼佬只不过不像国人，惯耍小聪明，他们在大事情上聪明得很！几年前，老朽就发现，很多人家，把原来一块地上的房子扒掉，建两座房子，门牌号比如原来是8号，现在就一个还是8号、一个叫8A号。如图，实力雄厚的两栋房子勇士见，实力稍稍逊一筹的，就把地空那里，隔几年再建，反正地时是自己的私有财产，千秋万代都是，可以传给子子孙孙的！
阿根廷总统 哈维尔·米莱 达沃斯世界经济论坛
演讲全文（中文版）
非常牛逼的演讲，振聋发聩！强烈建议你们看完！
下午好！非常感谢。
今天，我在这里告诉你们，西方世界正处于危险之中，这种危险是因为那些本应捍卫西方价值观的人，被一种必然导致社会主义并由此带来贫穷的世界观所同化。不幸的是，近几十年间，受一些出于好意想帮助他人的人，以及一些渴望跻身特权阶层的人的驱动，西方世界的主要领导人已经放弃了自由模式，转而采用了我们所称的集体主义的不同版本。
我们在这里告诉你，集体主义实验永远不是困扰全世界人民的各种问题的解决之道；相反，它才是问题的根源。请相信我，没有人比我们阿根廷人更有资格来证明这两点。我们在1860年采纳自由模式时，35年间我们成为了世界上领先的大国。而当我们在过去的100年里拥抱集体主义时，我们目睹了我国的公民如何陷入系统性的贫穷，全球排名下降到了第140位。
但在进行讨论之前，首先，重要的是，我们需要看一下数据，展示了为什么自由企业资本主义制度不仅是结束世界贫困的唯一可能的制度，而且也是唯一符合道德的能实现此目标的制度。如果我们观察经济进步的历史，可以看到，从公元0年到1800年间，全球人均GDP基本保持不变。如果你看一下人类历史上经济增长的演变图，你会看到一个曲棍球棒形状的图形，在90%的时间里保持恒定，却从19世纪开始呈指数级增长。
这段停滞历史的唯一例外是在15世纪末发现美洲大陆。除了这个例外，在公元零年到1800年整个时期，全球人均GDP停滞不前。现在，不仅是从采纳资本主义作为经济制度那一刻之后，带来了财富的爆炸性增长，而且，如果你查看数据，你会看到增长在整个时期内持续加速。
从公元0年到1800年间，人均GDP的年增长率始终是约0.02%，也就是几乎没有增长。从19世纪开始，伴随着工业革命爆发，年复合增长率达到0.66%，照这个速度，要使人均GDP翻倍，需要大约107年。现在，如果你观察1900年到1950年之间，增长率加速到每年1.66%，意味着人均GDP翻倍不再需要107年，而是66年。
如果你观察1950年到2000年之间，你会看到增长率又提高为2.1%，这意味着仅需33年，我们就可以使全球人均GDP翻倍。这一趋势远未停止，迄今仍在持续发力。如果我们观察2000年到2023年之间，增长率再次加速到每年3%，这意味着我们可以在短短23年内使全球人均GDP翻倍。
也就是说，当你观察从1800年到今天的人均GDP时，你会看到工业革命之后，全球人均GDP增长了超过15倍，这意味着增长的繁荣使全球90%的人口摆脱了贫困。我们应该记住，1800年时，大约95%的世界人口生活在极端贫困之中，而这一数字在2020年大流行疫情之前降至了5%。
结论显而易见：自由贸易资本主义，作为一种经济体系，绝非产生问题的根源，而是我们结束全球饥饿、贫困，乃至极端贫困的唯一工具。上述实证证据无可置疑。因此，既然自由企业资本主义无疑在生产方面更为优越，左翼理论就转而攻击资本主义的道德问题，称其不公正。他们说资本主义是邪恶的，因为它是个人主义的，而集体主义是好的，因为集体主义是利他主义的，当然，是用别人的钱去利他。
因此，他们倡导社会正义。这个概念，近来在发达国家才变得时尚，而在我的国家已经在政治话语中的老调常谈了超过80年。问题在于，社会正义既不公正，也不促进整体福祉。恰恰相反，它本质上是不公平的，因为它是暴力的。它不公正，因为国家通过税收来获取资金，而税收是强制征收的。我们中谁会说他是自愿缴税的？这意味着国家是通过强制手段来获得资金，税负越高，强制越大，自由度就越低。
那些推动社会正义的倡导者，其出发点是整个经济就像一个可以由不同人分享的馅饼，但这个馅饼的大小并非是既定的。这是伊斯雷尔·柯兹纳（Israel Kirzner）所说的市场发现过程中产生的财富。如果企业提供的商品或服务不受欢迎，除非它改为适应市场的需求，否则生意将会失败。如果它们制造出高质量、价格吸引人的商品，它们将会生意兴隆并生产更多商品。
因此，市场是一个发现过程，资本家在其中找到前进的正确路径。但如果国家在资本家成功时惩罚他们，并妨碍发现过程，他们将破坏资本家的激励，后果是他们生产将会变少，馅饼将会变小，这将对整个社会造成伤害。
集体主义通过抑制这些发现过程，并阻碍发现的应用，最终束缚了企业家的手脚，阻止他们以更好的价格提供更好的商品和服务。那么，对于这样的经济制度——一种不仅让世界上90%的人口摆脱了极端贫困，而且以越来越快的速度持续让人们脱贫，并且在道德上更优越和公正的经济制度，学术界、国际组织、经济理论和政治界又是如何诋毁它的呢？
多亏了自由贸易资本主义，我们可以看到，世界现在正处于有史以来最好的时刻。在人类的整个历史中，从来没有比今天更繁荣的时期。对所有人都是这样。今天的世界拥有更多的自由，更加富裕，更加和平和繁荣。对于那些自由更多，拥有经济自由并尊重个人财产权的国家尤其如此。
因为拥有更多自由的国家比压制性的国家富裕12倍。自由国家中所得最少得10%的群体比压制性国家中的90%的人口生活得更好。自由的国家贫困率是压制性国家的25分之一，极端贫困率是50分之一，自由国家的公民寿命比压制性国家的公民长25%。
那么，当我们谈论自由主义时，我们指的是什么呢？让我引用阿根廷自由主义最大权威，阿尔贝托·贝内加斯·林奇（Alberto Benegas Lynch Jr.）教授的话，他说自由主义是基于非侵犯原则，捍卫生命、自由和财产权利，对他人生活计划的不设限制的尊重。其基本机构是私有财产、不受国家干预的市场、自由竞争、劳动分工和社会合作，成功只能通过提供更高质量或更优惠价格的商品来服务他人而实现。
换句话说，资本家、成功的商人是社会的恩人，他们绝非剥夺了他人的财富，而是为普遍的福祉做贡献。归根结底，成功的企业家是英雄，这就是我们为未来阿根廷所倡导的模式，一种基于自由主义基本原则的模式：捍卫生命、自由和财产。
现在，如果说企业资本主义和经济自由已经被证明是消除世界贫困的卓越工具，而我们现在正处于人类历史上最好的时期，那么需要问的是，为什么我会说西方正处于危险之中。我之所以这么说，正是因为在这些国家中，某些政治和经济体制的部门，本应捍卫自由市场、私有财产和其他自由主义制度价值，却有的是出于理论框架上的错误，有的是出于对权力的贪婪，正在破坏自由主义的基础，为社会主义敞开大门，这可能将我们置于贫困、苦难和停滞之中。
永远不应忘记，socialismo不管在哪里，都始终是一个导致贫困的现象，所有尝试过socialismo的国家都失败了。它在经济上、社会上、文化上都失败了，还导致了100 millones 死亡。西方今天面临的根本问题，不仅仅即使在柏林墙倒塌之后，并有了压倒性的实证证据之后，仍然倡导导致贫困的socialismo的那些人，还有我们自己的领导者、思想家和学者，他们依靠错误的理论框架，破坏了给予我们历史上最大规模财富和繁荣扩张的制度的基础。
我所指的理论框架是新古典经济理论，它设计了一套工具，不管是有意还是无意，最终服务于国家干预、社会主义和社会退化。新古典经济学的问题在于，他们所热爱的模型并不符合现实。所以，他们将错误归咎于所谓的市场失败，而不是重新审视模型的前提。以所谓市场失败为借口，引入监管，这只会扭曲价格体系，阻碍经济计算，因此也阻碍了储蓄、投资和增长。
问题主要在于，即便所谓的自由主义经济学家也不理解市场是什么。因为如果他们真的理解了，就会很快看到市场失败这样的事情是不可能存在的。市场不是描述供求曲线的图表；市场是一个社会合作的机制，你在其中自愿交换所有权。因此，基于这个定义，谈论市场失败是一个悖论。如果交易是自愿的，就不存在市场失败。市场失败唯一可能存在的情境是有强制存在，而一般能够实施强制的只有国家，因为它拥有暴力垄断权。
因此，如果有人认为市场出现了失败，我建议他们检查是否与国家干预有关，如果他们发现并非如此，我建议他们再检查一遍，因为显然有错误。市场失败是不存在的。新古典主义者所描述的所谓市场失败的一个例子是经济体中的集中结构。然而，如果没有规模收益递增功能，其对应的是经济中的集中结构，我们就无法解释自1800年以来的经济增长。
这不是很有趣吗？自1800年以来，人口增长了八到九倍，而人均GDP仍增长了15倍以上。因此，回报在不断增长，这将极端贫困从95%降至5%。然而，存在不断增长的回报涉及到集中结构，我们称之为垄断。那么，为什么新古典主义理论认为，创造了如此多福祉的东西却是市场失败呢？
当模型失败时，新古典经济学家怪罪于现实。他们不应该对现实而是应该对模型感到愤怒，并改变模型。新古典模型面临的困境是，他们说，他们希望通过攻击所谓的市场失败来完善市场的功能，但在这样做的过程中，他们不仅为社会主义打开了大门，也阻碍了经济增长。例如：对垄断进行监管，破坏它们的利润，并摧毁增长的收益回报，这将自动地破坏经济增长。
换句话说，每当你想要纠正一个所谓的市场失败时，由于不了解市场是什么，或者是因为沉迷于一个失败的模型，你就在为socialismo打开大门，将人民置于贫困之中。然而，面对国家干预是有害的理论证明，以及表明其失败的实证证据，情况本不应如此，集体主义者提出的解决方案不是更大的自由，而是更严格的监管，这产生了螺旋式不断增加监管的恶性循环，直到我们所有人都变贫穷。而我们所有人的生活，都取决于坐在豪华办公室里的官僚。
鉴于集体主义模式的惨败，以及无可否认的自由世界的进步，socialista被迫改变了他们的议程。他们抛弃了基于经济体系的阶级斗争，转而替换为其他所谓的社会冲突，这些冲突对社区生活和经济增长同样有害。这些新战役中的第一个是荒谬和非自然的男性与女性之争。自由主义已经提供了性别之间的平等。我们信条的基石是所有人生而平等，我们都拥有创造者赋予的同样不可剥夺的权利，包括生命、自由和所有权。这种激进的女权主义议程所导致的只是更大的国家干预，阻碍了经济过程，为那些对社会没有贡献的官僚提供了工作，例子包括妇女部门或致力于推广这一议程的国际组织。
社会主义者提出的另一个冲突是人类与自然之间的对抗，声称我们人类破坏了应该不惜一切代价保护的地球。他们甚至走得太远，主张人口控制机制或血腥的堕胎计划。不幸的是，这些有害的想法已经在我们社会中占据了强势地位。新马克思主义者设法渗入了西方世界的常识，他们通过占据媒体、文化、大学和国际组织来实现这一目标。国际组织可能是情况最严重的，因为这些机构对作为多边组织成员的国家的政治和经济决策有着巨大的影响。
幸运的是，越来越多的人敢于发出我们的声音，因为我们看到，如果我们不真正且果断地对抗这些观点，我们唯一可能的命运就是增加国家管制的水平，socialismo，贫困和减少自由，因此我们的生活水平将会变得更差。不幸的是，西方已经开始走上这条道路。我知道对许多人来说，暗示西方已转向社会主义，似乎听起来很荒谬，但这只是因为你将社会主义局限于传统经济的定义，才会显得荒谬，该定义认为社会主义是一种国家拥有生产资料的经济体系。
依我之见，这个定义应该依据当前的形势进行更新。如今，国家不需要直接控制生产资料就能控制个人生活的各个方面。通过印钞、债务、补贴、控制利率、价格控制和管制等工具，来纠正所谓的市场失败，他们可以控制数以百万计个人的生活和命运。这就是我们如何形成了这样的局面，即在大多数西方国家，许多被普遍接受的政治提议，无论它们是公开宣称为comunismo、法西斯主义、纳粹主义、社会主义、社会民主主义、国家社会主义、民主基督教或基督教民主主义、新保守主义、进步主义、民粹主义、民族主义还是全球主义，等等，都是集体主义的变种。究其根本，它们没有本质区别。它们都声称国家应该操控个人生活的各个方面。它们捍卫的都是与那个引领人类走向史无前例进步的模式相反的模式。
我们今天来到这里，是为了邀请西方世界的其他国家重回繁荣之路。经济自由、有限政府和对私有财产的无限尊重是经济增长的基本要素，而集体主义所产生的贫困并非幻想，也不是不可避免的命运，而是我们阿根廷人非常了解的现实。我们经历过这一切。我们经历这一切是因为，正如我之前所说，自从我们决定放弃让我们富裕的自由模式以来，我们就落入了一个不断下行的螺旋，我们每天都变得越来越贫穷。所以，这是我们经历过的事情，我们在这里警告你，如果那些通过自由模式变得富裕的西方国家，继续走这条通往奴役之路，这就是将会发生的情况。
阿根廷是一个实证示范，无论你有多富裕，或者拥有多少自然资源，或者你有多少的技术熟练或受过良好教育的人口，或者你的中央银行有多少金条，如果采取阻碍市场自由运作、自由竞争、自由价格体系的措施，如果你阻碍贸易，如果你攻击私有财产，唯一可能的命运就是贫困。
因此，在结束时，我想对在场的所有商业人士，以及那些虽然不在场却在世界各地关注我们的人说一句话：
不要被吓到，不要被政治阶层或依赖国家生活的寄生虫所吓倒！
不要屈服于只想掌握权力并保留特权的政治阶级！你们是社会的恩人，你们是英雄，你们是我们所见过最非凡繁荣时期的创造者！
不要听任何人说，你的雄心壮志是不道德的。如果你赚钱，那是因为你以更优惠的价格，提供了更好的产品，从而有助于普遍的福祉。
不要屈服于国家的步步逼近。国家不是解决方案；国家就是问题本身。你们是这个故事的真正主角，请放心，从今天起，阿根廷是你们无条件的盟友。
非常感谢，自由万岁，妈的！
Grandson? Granddaughter?
In any cultural system around the world, there are both shining aspects and flaws. This gives rise to the concept of comparative culture. As someone who specifically studies English, with Chinese being a foundational subject, it is natural for me to compare the two cultures. For example, in Chinese culture, we have specific terms for grandchildren - "外孙" and "外孙女" (wàisūn, wàisūnnǚ), while in English, they are simply referred to as "grandson" and "granddaughter". There is no distinction between "internal" and "external". Similarly, in Chinese, we have different terms for aunts and uncles, but in English, they are all referred to as "aunt" or "uncle". Furthermore, in Chinese, we have specific terms for grandparents - "grandpa" or "grandfather" for paternal grandfathers, and "grandma" or "grandmother" for paternal grandmothers. In English, these terms are also used regardless of whether they are paternal or maternal grandparents.
In our generation, both men and women were subject to the one-child policy, where couples were only allowed to have one child. It didn't matter whether the child was a boy or a girl; they were only permitted to have one. Otherwise, they would face dismissal from their government jobs, which would result in unemployment and potentially even starvation. At that time, I predicted that if this continued, the population would decrease exponentially. And now, young people are being encouraged to have three or four children. But can they afford to raise them all?
Since everyone only has one child, why do we still differentiate between "internal" and "external" grandchildren? They should all be referred to as "孙子" (sūnzi) or "孙女" (sūnnǚ) - grandchildren. Personally, I have always referred to my daughter's two sons as "孙子" (sūnzi) - grandsons. The eldest is Eason, and the second is Eric. I suggest that families with only one daughter should call their third generation grandchildren "孙子" (sūnzi) or "孙女" (sūnnǚ) - grandchildren, and refrain from using the term "外孙" (wàisūn) or "外孙女" (wàisūnnǚ) - external grandchildren.
随着时间的飞逝，几十年已经过去了。在这段时间里，我们看到了许多年轻人的才华和成就，无论是在少年班、全国各地的状元，还是在奥林匹克大赛上获得金、银、铜奖的学生们。这样的人才数量已经达到了几十万，甚至可能不止一百万。然而，大多数这些人过着平凡的生活，没有在学科方面做出任何创新或发明，更不用说获得诺贝尔奖这样的世界级荣誉了。这是否意味着中国古语中所说的“少聪大未必慧”是正确的呢？我们应该反思一下中国的基础教育和高等教育是否需要改革。
首先，我们需要认识到，这些年轻人的成就并不代表他们在创新和发明方面的能力。在当前的教育体制下，许多学生在追求高分数的过程中，过于重视应试能力而忽视了创新思维和实践能力的培养。他们被灌输了大量的知识和技巧，却缺乏思考和解决问题的能力。因此，即使他们在考试中表现出色，但在面对真实的挑战时，他们可能会感到无所适从。
其次，我们需要反思教育部门是否过于注重应试教育，而忽视了培养学生的创新意识和实践能力。传统的教育体制过于偏重于灌输知识，而忽略了学生的主动性和创造力
Less intelligence does not necessarily mean greater wisdom!
In recent days, I came across the story of Sun Weidong, a high-achieving student from Fudan University who has been wandering the streets of America for many years, sleeping rough. It is said that Sun Weidong was the top science student in a county in Jiangsu province and was also one of the prodigies in Fudan's youth class. He went to the United States for further studies, obtained a PhD, and even had the privilege of being a student of Mr. Li Zhengdao. He has long obtained American citizenship. This news has made me reflect deeply.
1. In 1978, next to the university where I pursued my studies, the University of Science and Technology of China established a youth class, so a few of my classmates and I took the opportunity to visit and see what it was all about. It turned out to be a group of children aged around ten! They couldn't even take care of themselves! Compared to them, we, the older generation, were twice their age, feeling unfortunate and unlucky.
Later, in the 1980s and 1990s, apart from the University of Science and Technology of China, other prestigious universities such as Xi'an Jiaotong University, Southeast University, Peking University, Tsinghua University, Fudan University, and Nanjing University followed suit and established talented classes, also known as youth classes. These programs are still ongoing.
2. Since the 1990s, various counties, cities, and provinces across the country have carried out grand activities to honor the top scorers in the national college entrance examination, the champions in liberal arts and sciences. The prizes for these champions, often amounting to tens of thousands of yuan and a house, were sponsored by entrepreneurs. However, most of these national champions were eventually admitted to Peking University and Tsinghua University.
3. Starting from the 1990s, China actively participated in an international competition for high school students: the International Olympiad in various subjects, including mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, and English. Some of these subjects even won gold, silver, and bronze medals for several years. The English competition was hosted by Jilin Tonghua's "English Tutoring Newspaper," and I was once invited to be a judge, so I am relatively familiar with it.
Time flies, and several decades have passed. The accumulative results of these talented youth class students, national champions, and medal
看图有感！
老朽2000年8月18日，拿到温州市鹿城区教育局颁发的《办学许可证》后，立即招生，第一期就招到近100个，第二期开始，开办外教班，我这是在当时十多家外语学校中，第一家聘用美国外教教学的培训学校！当时别说亲自听老外上课，就是大街上也很难看到一个老外的！广告一打出去，报名的人如过江之鲫！费用也高不少，光外教班就一下子招了60多个，坐得满满当当的，还要借凳子，才能坐下。就这样，外教班带动其他班，其他班助推外教班，周一、三、五，六个班同时开课；周二、四、六，又是六个班，周六、周日的白班，又有几个！
唉、古语曰：木秀于林 风必摧之！到了第六期，开学不久，妒忌、暗中使坏的本地同行就开始行动了！他们报告区公安局，说我非法聘用外国人工作，公安局跑来通知我停课！否则，罚款四万！后来，找学生去说情，降到2.8万！哦豁，辛辛苦苦赚到点钱，就这样被镰刀收割了！去哪里说理去？
只不过，老朽交了罚款后，继续办学，继续请老外来上课，公安局收割了我一次，也暂时不好意思来继续收割了，更不会像图中的两口子，交了罚款，还跳楼！
Translation:
Twitter often shows various symptoms of the Chinese people infected with COVID-19, which are clearly symptoms of the novel coronavirus! However, they insist on using a new term: mycoplasma pneumonia! This truly exemplifies the saying "covering one's ears while stealing the bell!" Recently, I myself fell victim to COVID-19 and personally experienced it. I know that the novel coronavirus is much worse than a common cold! They cannot be compared! The symptoms vary depending on each person's own immunity and resistance, and they are all different! My symptoms included persistent fever, loss of appetite, complete loss of taste buds, weakness throughout the body, fluctuating body temperature, profuse sweating, inability to sleep, a slight cough with phlegm that was not severe, no runny nose, and thirst, forcing me to drink a large amount of water. Overall, it was very uncomfortable and a serious illness. However, I did not experience muscle pain throughout my body, severe throat pain like a knife cutting, or diarrhea. This virus attacks a person in multiple ways: 1) the immune system, 2) the blood system, 3) the digestive system, 4) the taste bud system, 5) the joint system, 6) the nervous system, 7) the physical system, and 8) the respiratory system. With so many bodily systems being attacked simultaneously, one would be lucky to escape unscathed! As of now, my taste, appetite, and fever have all recovered, but the only thing that has not fully recovered is my fatigue: I used to be able to walk around the large community, about 5000 meters, without any problems, but now I have to take a break in the small park halfway through!
Thanks be to God Jehovah for His blessings! Hallelujah!
May those scum who study the curse of the novel coronavirus be condemned to eternal damnation!
推特经常看到天朝人感染covid-19的各种症状，明明就是新冠肺炎的症状嘛！却非要叫个新名词：支原体肺炎！这才真的诠释了什么叫：掩耳盗铃！老朽前不久，才中招新冠肺炎，亲历过，知道新冠病毒比重感冒厉害多了！绝对不能同日而语！表现症状，取决于每个人自身的免疫力、抵抗力，都是不一样的！老朽的症状是：持续发烧、吃不下饭、味觉味蕾全失、浑身无力、时冷时热、大汗淋漓、无法入睡、稍微有一点咳嗽、有痰，均不厉害、不流鼻涕、口渴，被迫大量喝水。总体感觉是非常难受、是一场大病；但没有出现浑身肌肉疼，喉咙刀片割似地疼，拉肚子等症状。这种病毒，是全方位攻击一个人的：1、免疫系统、2、血液系统、3、消化系统、4、味蕾系统、5、关节系统、6、神经系统、7、体力系统、8、呼吸系统。如此多的人体系统，同时被攻击，不死也要脱层皮！至今，老朽的味觉、食欲、发烧均已恢复，唯一的就是乏力还没有恢复：以前围绕大社区走一圈，约5000米，一点问题也没有，而现在，中途还得在小公园舔息一会儿！
感谢上帝耶和华赐福！哈利路亚！
赌咒研究新冠病毒的人渣，永世被打入地狱！
The Differences Between Chinese and Foreign Hospital Stays!
Last December, I unfortunately contracted COVID-19 while traveling on a large cruise ship. I was admitted to Queen Elizabeth II Hospital (QE II) for three days, during which I thoroughly understood the differences between Chinese and foreign hospitals.
Firstly, let's talk about the issue of companionship. Australian hospitals do not allow any companions, nor is it necessary. In my ward, there were four elderly patients with COVID-19, two of whom were a married couple in their late 80s. They had been hospitalized for quite some time, yet none of their children or grandchildren came to accompany them. Their daughter only called them briefly each day. In contrast, in China, when an elderly person is hospitalized, their children and grandchildren take turns to accompany them. If a middle-aged person or a child is hospitalized, they must also have a companion. At night, they may rent a single mattress and sleep in the corridor or hire a nurse for several hundred yuan per day. When someone falls ill, the whole family is restless; this is not an exaggeration. In other words, the responsibility of a nurse is shifted onto the patient's family members.
Secondly, all three meals are provided by the hospital and delivered to your bedside. Although I couldn't eat anything at the time due to the loss of taste and appetite caused by the virus, I still forced myself to eat a little of everything. Each meal provided by the hospital was well-balanced and nutritious.
Thirdly, there are toilets and showers in the hospital rooms, which can be used at any time.
Fourthly, all expenses, including meals, are completely covered. I stayed in the hospital for three days and didn't pay a penny.
Fifthly, there are no special VIP rooms in the hospital. Even if you are the Prime Minister, Governor, or Mayor, you still have to wait in line, stay in the same type of ward, eat the same food, and receive the same treatment as everyone else. There is no special privilege card like the blue social security card that only the privileged class in China possesses. Everyone has the same green Medicare health insurance card!
Lastly, in Chinese hospitals, it is common to give red envelopes as gifts. The attending doctor, head nurse, and anesthesiologist are indispensable, and it is expected to give them red envelopes. However, in Australian hospitals, none of the medical staff would dare to accept red envelopes, and the patients do not give them either. This is
新冠感染亲历记！
今天是2023年的最后一天，12月31日，很有必要把我12月，感染新冠病毒的前后经历，细说一下！
首先，要感谢耶和华上帝：感谢你老人家拯救了笃信你、跟随您的我等子民！荣誉归于您！哈利路亚！
其次，要赌咒发明新冠病毒的人，她及她的后代十八代，都将被打入地狱，永世不得超生！
12月6日，我与孩子们一家，在布里斯班港口，登上了海洋量子号巨型邮轮，开启了一周的悉尼—-布里斯班往返之旅！本来，上船之前，我曾带了一包口罩，结果，就第一天戴了几个小时，其余时间几乎没有戴，根本原因是，船上6千多将近7千人，基本没人戴口罩！而且就那么大的空间，甲板上到处是人，12部电梯人满为患、自助餐厅人头攒动、游泳池里下饺子似的、游乐项目全部排队很长、人们挨肩擦膀、我敢说，几乎所有的游客都是第一次坐邮轮，那股兴奋劲全都洋溢在脸上！
古语曰：福祸福所倚、福兮祸所伏！新冠病毒早已在这近7千人中蔓延，而不自知！
12日，结束七天旅游，我还没有感到哪里不适！15日，就开始发烧不退，39.2度，只好交替吃panadol以及Nufeng退烧药，大量喝水！吃不下饭、味觉全无、浑身无力、稍微运动，就大汗淋漓、稍微有点咳嗽，不厉害、根本无法入睡！如此，坚持了三天，到了18日，实在难受，痛不欲生，让女儿给我预定了滴滴，自己一个人跑去伊丽莎白二世医院看急诊了！一查，确诊我感染了新冠肺炎，住院治疗！采用了医院的最新新冠治疗方案，每天输药一袋，住院三天，症状明显减轻！
题都城南庄
崔护〔唐代〕
去年今日此门中，人面桃花相映红。
人面不知何处去，桃花依旧笑春风。
In the ancient Chinese poem "Du Cheng Nan Zhuang" by Cui Hu, the poet reflects upon the passage of time and the transient nature of life. With vivid imagery and profound emotions, Cui Hu captures the essence of the human experience and the beauty of nature.
The poem begins with the line, "Last year on this day in this courtyard," immediately setting the scene and drawing the reader into the poet's world. The mention of a courtyard evokes a sense of tranquility and familiarity, creating a space where memories and emotions intertwine.
Cui Hu then introduces the contrasting images of "human faces" and "peach blossoms." The vibrant pink of the blossoms represents the beauty and vitality of life, while the human faces reflect the passage of time and the impermanence of existence. The juxtaposition of these two elements creates a sense of harmony and balance, as they come together to create a picturesque scene.
The poet ponders the fate of the human faces, questioning where they have gone. This line reflects the universal human experience of uncertainty and the transient nature of life. It speaks to the impermanence of our physical appearances and the fleeting nature of our existence. Despite this uncertainty, the poet finds solace in the enduring beauty of the peach blossoms.
The concluding line, "The peach blossoms still smile in the spring breeze," encapsulates the essence of the poem. It highlights the resilience of nature and its ability to bring joy and beauty even in the face of the ever-changing human experience. The peach blossoms, untouched by the passage of time, continue to bloom and radiate their charm, reminding the poet and the reader of the cyclical nature of life.
Through his poetic exploration of the human experience and the beauty of nature, Cui Hu invites the reader to reflect upon the transient nature of life. The poem serves as a reminder that while our physical appearances may change and our paths may be uncertain, the beauty and vitality of nature remain constant. It is a testament to the enduring power of nature to bring comfort, joy, and a sense of peace amidst the uncertainties of life.
In conclusion, "Du Cheng Nan Zhuang" by Cui Hu is a poignant reflection on the passage of time and the transient nature of life. Through the use of vivid imagery and introspective questioning, the poet captures the essence of the human experience and the enduring beauty of nature. It serves as a reminder to embrace the present moment and find solace in the ever-changing yet constant beauty that surrounds us.
澳洲黑科技！
2000年的夏天，老朽陋室，离小区的大垃圾箱不远，导致以前我的厨房里，苍蝇多得很，用苍蝇拍打，喷剂喷，也不管用！后来，有一次在本地媒体上看到：用透明塑料袋装上自来水，里面放两枚新硬币，挂在厨房附近，可以驱赶苍蝇！我有点半信半疑，又一想，反正也制作简单，也不碍事，就找了两枚新5角硬币，放在袋子里，刚开始，似乎不管用，苍蝇居然敢在袋子上爬来爬去，我就在纳闷：谁闲着没事，挖坑让我等跳啊？也没管他，谁知半个月后，似乎不知不觉中，苍蝇就少了，后来几乎看不到苍蝇了！2001、2002、以及今年，早就是夏天了，却根本就没见一个苍蝇！而垃圾箱那边，苍蝇多如牛毛！塑料袋换了两次了，水也蒸发干了几次！看来，这就是澳洲黑科技！科技不一定要大发明、大制作！老朽曾经仔细分析原因：我觉得就是苍蝇的眼球，与硬币在水里反射的光，会被刺伤，也就是光的作用，成功驱赶苍蝇！苍蝇也是生命，驱赶总比打死要人道🉐多！
"Taking the Wine" by Li Bai
Have you not seen how the waters of the Yellow River flow from the sky, rushing towards the sea, never to return?
Have you not seen how the bright mirror in the grand hall reflects the sorrow of white hair, as morning turns the black strands into snow?
In the prime of life, one should enjoy oneself to the fullest, never letting a golden goblet go empty under the moon.
Naturally, my talents will be put to good use, even if I were to squander a fortune, it will return to me.
Roasting lamb and slaughtering cows bring me joy, but I must drink three hundred cups to truly revel.
My dear friends Cen and Danqiu, let us raise our cups and never stop toasting.
Let me sing a song for you, I ask that you lend me your ears.
Precious are the bells, drums, and sumptuous feasts, but I only wish to remain drunk and never wake.
Throughout history, the wise and virtuous have all been lonely, only those who savor wine leave their names behind.
In ancient times, King Chen held a banquet in Ping Le, indulging in ten thousand cups of merriment and jest.
The host, why speak of a lack of wealth, when all one needs to do is buy and pour for you, my dear friend?
Five splendid steeds and a robe of a thousand gold coins, call for the boy to bring forth the finest wine,
Together, let us drink away the sorrows of countless generations.
Translation: "Zhatangkou? Bengmianzi?"
Last year, I went to K-Mart, one of the largest department stores in Australia, and saw two colors of t-shirts that looked nice, so I bought one of each to wear. Later, I realized that these were the prescribed uniforms for Australian blue-collar workers, including construction workers, plumbers, electricians, painters, truck drivers, bus drivers, traffic controllers, and more. When I wore them outside, many people thought I was a blue-collar worker, but they never looked down upon me or treated me with disrespect just because I was wearing the clothes of a blue-collar worker! They still showed me respect!
The attire of the Governor, Prime Minister, Governors, Mayors, members of parliament, and officials in Australia is not much different from the attire of ordinary citizens like us. (Image 3 is a photo of me with the former Mayor of Brisbane, Graham Quirk.) I remember in 2015 when I first came to Australia and enrolled in TAFE college, a female Aussie teacher openly showed us, dozens of students, a pleated skirt she bought for 2 dollars at a thrift market, with a satisfied expression on her face! She didn't show any hint of inferiority!
In Australia, most of the luxury items in upscale stores are bought by us Chinese! We Chinese have a strong sense of face! In Wenzhou, we call it "zhatangkou"! On Little Red Book and TikTok, there are countless people flaunting their monthly salary of millions, flaunting how many properties they own, flaunting how much money they have in their savings, flaunting how much they spent on a meal, and so on! It seems like China is truly a wealthy country? But how do we explain what Premier Li Keqiang said, that 600 million people have a monthly income of less than 1,000 yuan? We care so much about face, but our inner well-being is neglected! The people also place great importance on face! People who are well-dressed are given a higher regard, while those who are poorly dressed are met with disdain! Haven't you heard the saying: "Dogs look down upon people"? And there's also what Xiang Yu said: "Wealth and nobility don't return to the village, like a beautifully dressed person walking at night!" This is actually a manifestation of authoritarian society and feudal society, where people are divided into different classes, where the privileged class
Let me tell you a true story: Twenty years ago, in 2003, I was chasing my dreams in Wenzhou, starting a foreign language training school. One day, I saw an advertisement in the local newspaper by a developer, promoting a clearance sale of apartments. As I had been renting a place, I decided to take a look. Coincidentally, one of my students was in charge of selling these apartments, and she enthusiastically recommended the riverside apartments with a view of the Ou River. Almost all of them had been sold, except for the ones with the number four, such as the fourth floor, fourteenth floor, twenty-fourth floor, and apartment number four. The average price of the ones already sold was over 5000 yuan per square meter, but the remaining ones were being offered for only 3800 yuan. For example, the fourteenth floor, apartment number four, was 98.88 square meters with three bedrooms and two living rooms. The total cost, including all fees, was less than 400,000 yuan. Coincidentally, I had 400,000 yuan in cash at that time, so I was tempted. The student asked me to pay a deposit of 50,000 yuan, and the apartment would be mine. As I was about to swipe my credit card, I thought to myself that buying a house was a big decision, and I should discuss it with my partner, whom I referred to as "Lao Ni" (Old Man). However, it turned out to be a problem. Lao Ni said, "Wasn't this 400,000 yuan intended for our daughter's study abroad? What will we do if we spend it on a house?" Our daughter was in the process of preparing for various study abroad procedures, including notarization. That night, I couldn't sleep at all. I kept pondering over the decision, weighing whether to buy the house or prioritize our daughter's future. As the morning approached, I finally made a decision: I would not buy the house. Our daughter was our only child, and we should use the money for her study abroad. The future of our child was the most important thing! Looking back now, if I had bought the house, there wouldn't have been enough funds for our daughter's study abroad, and she would not have been able to go. Six years later, in 2009, before I returned to Sichuan, I went to the nearby real estate agency to check
给你讲一个真实的故事：二十年前的2003年，我正在温州寻梦，开办外语培训学校，有一天，看到当地报纸上开发商在打广告，楼房清盘扫尾便宜甩卖。我一直是租房子，就去看了看，正好我一个学生在负责卖，她热情推荐说，这几栋瓯江边的江景房几乎全卖光了，温州人迷信，就剩下这些带四的要处理，四楼，十四楼、24楼、四号，已卖掉的均价都是5000多，这些处理的只要3800元，比如这个14楼4号，98.88平米，三室两厅，所有费用加一起，不到四十万，正好我手上有四十万现款，就动心了，学生让我先交五万定金，房子就是我的了。我正准备刷卡时，想想，买房是个大事，还是要跟老伲商量一下再说。结果回去一说，坏了，老伲说，这四十万不是给女儿留学的嘛？用了留学怎么办？当时女儿正在办理各种留学手续，公证手续！我那天整整一晚上没睡着，反过来复过去地苦思冥想，知道房子肯定涨价，买房子还是留学？钱财重要还是女儿前途重要？反复权衡，快天亮时，才终于做出决定：不买房子了，女儿只有一个，给女儿留学用，孩子的前途才是最重要！只要下一代过得比我们这一代好，才是最最最重要的！现在想想，当时要买房子了，女儿留学没有启动资金，肯定去不了。六年后，2009年我回四川前，又跑去那附近的中介，看那个江景房的红牌子上的价格：带四的房子涨了十倍，39800元一平米，就是说，六年来，三百多万与我失之交臂、没赚着！尽管如此，但我还是自认为：人一辈子要做出无数的决定，但这是我这一辈子做出的、唯一的、最英明的决定！否则，在天朝，像我这样的人，一不是特权阶层、二不是富商大老板，三不是官二代、红二代，就一枚极其普通的教师，全家都润了，是不可思议的事情！
人生的道路很漫长，但关键之处就那么几步！
东方、西方教育体系之差异（四）
八：时间差异：东方孩子们在校学习时间、在家做作业时间、节假日参加各类辅导班、培优班、奥数班、补课班…..的时间，绝对要远远大于西方孩子的，基本是三倍以上，高考工厂，如河北衡水中学，孩子们包括睡觉、吃饭等个人支配时间，很短！抖音上经常看到被逼疯了的孩子在哭诉！
西方孩子们可比东方的同龄孩子们，幸福了不是一点点：没有早自习，早上9:00到校，下午3:00，小学、初中、高中准时放学，从无拖堂现象，中间还有一个小时的吃午饭、休息时间，家庭作业小学基本不布置，初中一点点，10分钟-20分钟就能做完；高中半小时（有次在公交车上我看到：有四个太妹可能是一个小组的，一上车就掏出iPad，合作协助，讨论开来，10来分钟后，就做完了当天的家庭作业！）根本就没有中国教师那样布置的：一个单词抄写20遍、课文、句型背诵滚瓜烂熟、等机械型作业！属于西方孩子们自主支配的时间，远远多于东方孩子们！英谚语说：All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy(只是学习不玩耍，聪明孩子也变傻），老朽所在小区，每天下午3:00以后，就有一群孩子在草坪上踢足球、邻居有喜欢吹萨克斯的学生，就听见他吹；后面公园里，小篮球场上鏖战正酣！
老朽有时感到非常荣幸：两个孙子如果在国内，辅导他们的英语，不整得我皮哒嘴歪才怪！
Title: Eastern and Western Education Systems: Differences in Time Allocation
Introduction:
The Eastern and Western education systems differ significantly in various aspects. One of the notable differences is the way in which time is allocated for studying and other activities. Eastern students, particularly in countries like China, spend a significant amount of time in school, attending various extracurricular classes, and completing homework. On the other hand, Western students, especially in countries like the United States, have a comparatively relaxed schedule, allowing them more time for personal activities and leisure. This essay aims to explore the disparities in time allocation between the Eastern and Western education systems.
Body:
1. Eastern Education System:
In the Eastern education system, such as in China, students devote extensive time to their studies. They spend long hours in school, often followed by attending after-school tutoring classes, enrichment programs, and specialized courses like mathematics training (e.g., Olympiad math classes). The amount of time spent on these activities can exceed three times that of their Western counterparts. Notably, some schools in China, like the renowned Hengshui High School in Hebei Province, have gained a reputation as "exam factories" due to their rigorous and demanding academic schedules. Students' personal time, including sleep and meals, is often limited, leading to emotional distress as witnessed in viral videos of overwhelmed children on platforms like Douyin (the Chinese version of TikTok).
2. Western Education System:
In contrast, Western students, particularly in countries like the United States, have a more relaxed schedule. They typically start school around 9:00 am and finish around 3:00 pm. There are no early morning self-study sessions or excessively long school hours. Additionally, there is usually an hour allocated for lunch and breaks during the day. Furthermore, the amount of homework assigned in Western primary schools is minimal, and even in middle and high school, it can be completed within 10 to 20 minutes for most subjects. This stands in stark contrast to the mechanical and repetitive tasks often assigned by Chinese teachers, such as copying words multiple times or memorizing texts and sentence patterns.
3. Benefits for Western Students:
The Western education system allows students more control over their time, fostering a healthier work-life balance. The saying "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy" emphasizes the importance of leisure and recreational activities for overall development. In Western communities, it is common to see children engaging in various sports, hobbies, or artistic pursuits after school. This freedom to pursue personal interests enhances their
In recent years, a popular saying in Australia is "Winners never quit and quitters never win!" This phrase emphasizes the importance of perseverance and determination in achieving success. It implies that those who give up easily and shy away from challenges will never be able to accomplish great things.
Looking back to the early 1980s, I had the idea of earning some extra money by writing teaching experiences for various English newspapers and tutoring magazines in China during my free time. There was a great policy at that time: any envelope marked with the word "manuscript" would be exempt from postage fees. However, for nearly a year, I received rejection letters almost every day, filling up two large boxes.
After such a significant setback, many people might have given up and stopped writing. However, I am an obstinate person, determined to prove that my words could turn into printed text. Instead of giving up, I continued to work hard, burning the midnight oil, contemplating catchy titles, altering perspectives, cherishing my words, scrutinizing word choices, and revising sentences. I was relentless in my pursuit. Finally, my first short article, titled "Six Methods for Memorizing Words," was published in the "Learn English" newspaper in Linfen, Shanxi. I received a payment of 1.08 yuan. The moment I received the remittance, I was ecstatic! With 1.5 cents, I could buy seven packs of "Giant Wheel" brand cigarettes!
Strangely enough, after that moment, my articles started to be published in English newspapers and magazines all over the country, including Beijing, Shanghai, Shanxi, Shandong, Henan, Jiangxi, Hangzhou, Jilin Tonghua, Inner Mongolia Hohhot, and more. Even the rejected manuscripts from before, when I opened them, made revisions, and sent them back to the editorial departments, were all published! It was a mysterious turn of events! At that time, there were no computers or printers; everything was handwritten, which made it even more challenging.
To this day, if you search on Baidu or Google, you can still find many entries related to my work. In total, during the 1980s and 1990s, I published 19 books, as well as over 500 articles, short writings, and test questions in reputable publishing houses, newspapers, and magazines. If I had stopped writing after receiving those rejection letters, I would not have achieved what I have today!
"Winners never
