Chinese Chess or xiang (4th tone) qi (2nd tone) is a popular game, often played by old men in the back streets of cities, towns and villages throughout mainland China. These players are often surrounded by bystanders, as absorbed as the players themselves. Their points are chalked up and I've seen cases where they peck their point sheet to their ear lobes with wooden cloth pegs! I tried to take a photo of some players once but they forbade it. I used to feel sorry for these old folks. It seems as if xiang qi occupied their lives to the exclusion of all else. That was before I understood how mentally challenging and stimulating the game was and how it can even help ward off dementia.
The origin of the game is debatable. Some scholars claim it originates from India, others say it began in Persia. But in China, records show that the game was played as early as the fourth century. It was believed to have been created by one of the generals in the Chinese epic, Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
Like western chess, the equivalent of the king, is the general or jiang (4th tone) He is assisted by the mandarins or shi (4th tone) Other pieces on the board are the elephant, the cannon, the soldiers and the chariot, each character in red or black depending on the player.
Today, like online martial arts, online Chinese chess is also very popular among young people.
Monday, December 24, 2007
The Brain and Dementia
Have you wondered why some old folks remain mentally alert while their peers have short attention spans, repeat themselves, suffer forgetfulness - the usual signs of old age and dementia?
Studies confirm what many of us already know- to retain our mental sharpness, we need to be mentally stimulated. It works on the same principle as physical exercise. To keep fit, we need to run or walk. We carry weights to strengthen our muscles. Our brain, too, functions in a similar fashion. The more we exercise the brain, in this case, through mental activity, the sharper it becomes.
Old people should not give up mental exertion. Deng Xiao Ping, the father of China’s opening and modernization lived until his late eighties or early nineties. Like many old people in China, he spent his time playing Chinese chess, when he was not working on national matters. The game requires full concentration and excellent memory. You need to think ahead of your opponent, make the right strategies for the wrong move could spell disaster.
If you're not into mental games, get involved in things just to be occupied. Participate in church activities, spend time with little ones, get involved in ballroom dancing, learn things that interest you or travel - anything you have a passion for. Remember, there's nothing more pathetic than a fuddled, old mind.
Studies confirm what many of us already know- to retain our mental sharpness, we need to be mentally stimulated. It works on the same principle as physical exercise. To keep fit, we need to run or walk. We carry weights to strengthen our muscles. Our brain, too, functions in a similar fashion. The more we exercise the brain, in this case, through mental activity, the sharper it becomes.
Old people should not give up mental exertion. Deng Xiao Ping, the father of China’s opening and modernization lived until his late eighties or early nineties. Like many old people in China, he spent his time playing Chinese chess, when he was not working on national matters. The game requires full concentration and excellent memory. You need to think ahead of your opponent, make the right strategies for the wrong move could spell disaster.
If you're not into mental games, get involved in things just to be occupied. Participate in church activities, spend time with little ones, get involved in ballroom dancing, learn things that interest you or travel - anything you have a passion for. Remember, there's nothing more pathetic than a fuddled, old mind.
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Car thefts
I was chatting with my sister in law while waiting for the traffic lights to turn green when I heard a loud bang. I almost jumped out of my seat! A taxi had hit my bumper! I came out to inspect the car but didn't see the dent that was caused and so I let him off.
My sister in law then told me that she didn't leave the car because my engine was on and anyone could have made off with the car. The presence of passengers in the car would not deter such people.
Her warning was confirmed today when I heard a similar case where a man got out of to inspect his brand new car which had just been hit. While he was doing that, another car swerved in, and a man jumped out and drove off with his car and the man's wife was in the car! Fortunately for her, she had the presence of mind to jump out. When the car was finally recovered, the authorities found a long knife in it.
There are also cases of cars being hijacked right at one's doorstep as the driver is shutting the house gate. And ladies, don’t think for a moment, that just because of centralized locking you can have your handbag sitting on the front passenger seat. There have been cases of motorcyclists, breaking window glasses when the traffic lights are red and heading off with the driver’s handbag while all she can do is stare in shock. Many a window screen have been broken because the remote control for paying toll was sitting prettily on the dashboard. Ah, the pain to the heart and the pocket when that happens.
So be alert, drivers! Remember never to leave your car, unattended with the engine on. Anything can happen in a split second. And don't invite covetousness, either.
My sister in law then told me that she didn't leave the car because my engine was on and anyone could have made off with the car. The presence of passengers in the car would not deter such people.
Her warning was confirmed today when I heard a similar case where a man got out of to inspect his brand new car which had just been hit. While he was doing that, another car swerved in, and a man jumped out and drove off with his car and the man's wife was in the car! Fortunately for her, she had the presence of mind to jump out. When the car was finally recovered, the authorities found a long knife in it.
There are also cases of cars being hijacked right at one's doorstep as the driver is shutting the house gate. And ladies, don’t think for a moment, that just because of centralized locking you can have your handbag sitting on the front passenger seat. There have been cases of motorcyclists, breaking window glasses when the traffic lights are red and heading off with the driver’s handbag while all she can do is stare in shock. Many a window screen have been broken because the remote control for paying toll was sitting prettily on the dashboard. Ah, the pain to the heart and the pocket when that happens.
So be alert, drivers! Remember never to leave your car, unattended with the engine on. Anything can happen in a split second. And don't invite covetousness, either.
Friday, December 21, 2007
Masters and Ph. D Writers for Hire
The New Straits Times has an interesting article today on how “hundreds of masters and PhD students are getting "professional thesis writers" to pen their theses. This seems to be a growing trend in many countries. Not only is the practice unethical but prone to potential danger. Imagine being on the operating table of a surgeon who “bought” his degree in this manner or hiring a lawyer with poor legal foundation or having a professor who is only a lesson ahead of his students. Unfortunately, the culprits get away with it.
A doctor who buys his degree can play safe by working as a medical practitioner who dispenses medicine for coughs and aches and pains. Likewise, the lawyer who gets someone to write his theses can work safely just rubber stamping standardized sales and purchase agreements. The professor with poor research skills would be like the blind leading the blind.
The examination authorities should come down hard on such practices. The busyness of the candidate should be no excuse. The university's reputation is at stake here and especially since we want to make our country a regional educational hub.
Make sure all theses pass Copycat/copy scape tests. Apart from the thesis, marks should be evenly distributed on ongoing course work, class participation and not just the thesis.
A doctor who buys his degree can play safe by working as a medical practitioner who dispenses medicine for coughs and aches and pains. Likewise, the lawyer who gets someone to write his theses can work safely just rubber stamping standardized sales and purchase agreements. The professor with poor research skills would be like the blind leading the blind.
The examination authorities should come down hard on such practices. The busyness of the candidate should be no excuse. The university's reputation is at stake here and especially since we want to make our country a regional educational hub.
Make sure all theses pass Copycat/copy scape tests. Apart from the thesis, marks should be evenly distributed on ongoing course work, class participation and not just the thesis.
Pregnancy and the College Girl
Jamie Lynn Spears (sister of Britney Spears) who plays the popular, teenage virgin on “Zoey 101” is pregnant. The news of her pregnancy sparked off a controversy about sex, contraceptives and teen pregnancy. Parents worry that the news would send the wrong message that it is cool to be sixteen and pregnant as American teens regard her TV character as their role model.
In mainland China, if a female student is pregnant, she would be expelled from school or college. This spells total devastation for her future. For this reason, both teachers and doctors are often empathetic and apparently, it is the unwritten, standard procedure to help such girls undergo abortion to save their future. Rare is the case of one who would dare upset society's propriety and one's own prospects by giving birth in such circumstances.
I once conducted a debate on the moral issue of abortion and the majority of the forty odd students in the senior class concluded that the mother's future should come before the foetus. In other words, pragmatism should rule the day.
In mainland China, if a female student is pregnant, she would be expelled from school or college. This spells total devastation for her future. For this reason, both teachers and doctors are often empathetic and apparently, it is the unwritten, standard procedure to help such girls undergo abortion to save their future. Rare is the case of one who would dare upset society's propriety and one's own prospects by giving birth in such circumstances.
I once conducted a debate on the moral issue of abortion and the majority of the forty odd students in the senior class concluded that the mother's future should come before the foetus. In other words, pragmatism should rule the day.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Riding the Bicycle in Beijing
Crossing the road in Beijing can be a real hazard. The roads can be three or four lanes wide both ways. Luckily, I overcame the phobia when a Chinese professor showed my Australian friend and I how, when he accompanied us on a trip to a museum. We had to cross one of those wide, busy roads and he grabbed us by our arms and guided us across, lane by lane. That was such an effective lesson in road crossing, China style. Not that there are no pedestrian crossing or overhead bridges. The trouble is those could be a mile off, from where you are. Not to mention, the tedious task of walking up those long bridges for those with tired feet.
Taking public buses was another challenging experience. When you take the public bus in Beijing, you need to know which station you’re disembarking because if you miss it.... boy or boy! Are you headed for a long, long walk! Sometimes - the next station could be a kilometer away.
Everything in Beijing is on a super-large scale even the campus. So a bicycle comes in handy when you do errands. I had learned to ride a bicycle when I was a kid but had not ridden for several decades. I soon learned the truth of the statement that once you’ve learned to swim or ride, you never forget it.
I relearned how to handle the bicycle on my good friend’s bike in Tienjin and after that I was riding all over the neighborhood and its surroundings and I learned how to ride on icy roads without falling.
Bicycling is another very good form of exercise but unfortunately, our roads do not make allowance for bicycle lanes.
Taking public buses was another challenging experience. When you take the public bus in Beijing, you need to know which station you’re disembarking because if you miss it.... boy or boy! Are you headed for a long, long walk! Sometimes - the next station could be a kilometer away.
Everything in Beijing is on a super-large scale even the campus. So a bicycle comes in handy when you do errands. I had learned to ride a bicycle when I was a kid but had not ridden for several decades. I soon learned the truth of the statement that once you’ve learned to swim or ride, you never forget it.
I relearned how to handle the bicycle on my good friend’s bike in Tienjin and after that I was riding all over the neighborhood and its surroundings and I learned how to ride on icy roads without falling.
Bicycling is another very good form of exercise but unfortunately, our roads do not make allowance for bicycle lanes.
Walking and dementia
Dementia in old age is terrible. Not only do you forget where you leave your house keys, your car keys or where you parked your car. Imagine the terror experienced when you can't find your car in one those monstrous malls with multiple levels of parking and exits. In more severe cases, you may forget about your bank savings or fail to recognize a relative or friend.
The latest scientific findings (New York Times, 20th) show that walking reduces the risk of dementia or memory loss. We all know that brisk walking is good for blood circulation and cardiovascular function but that walking can help boost memory is so exciting! And so simple! So what are you waiting for? Invest in a good pair of canvas shoes, look for a park and the most suitable time and begin your daily walk for better health!
The latest scientific findings (New York Times, 20th) show that walking reduces the risk of dementia or memory loss. We all know that brisk walking is good for blood circulation and cardiovascular function but that walking can help boost memory is so exciting! And so simple! So what are you waiting for? Invest in a good pair of canvas shoes, look for a park and the most suitable time and begin your daily walk for better health!
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