Above the Equator

This morning, my throat was even more sore — it honestly felt like I was swallowing razor blades. I spent the whole day drinking water, but the pain didn’t ease up much until the evening. Today was the second day of our company’s Global Account Manager meeting. Sky led the morning session, focusing on CLPS’s core product capabilities: AI, RPA, Power Platform, GUANCE Cloud, and Qdbase. He also covered our ODC capabilities and sales strategy. A lot of attendees found his presentation both helpful and engaging.

I think I might have COVID again. Just before boarding SQ832 yesterday, I started feeling a sore throat coming on. Right away, I thought about the MOM’s email reminding all employers in Singapore to take steps to protect their employees from COVID. It’s true—cases have been on the rise lately in Singapore. Today marks the first day of the company’s global account manager meeting, but I’m feeling completely wiped out. It honestly feels like five knives are stabbing my throat, and I can barely keep my eyes open.

SQ832. After a five-hour flight from Singapore to Shanghai, I arrive in my second hometown once again. I spent 19 years in this city, starting with my first year at university and continuing until the strict COVID lockdowns. It was here that I met my wife, and by the time I left, we had two beautiful daughters. I have a deep affection for this city, although I find it challenging to connect with the country and its society. In my opinion, Shanghai has the most elegant atmosphere among all Chinese cities, largely due to its colonial history. In no other Chinese city can you find so many people who genuinely cherish freedom, in terms of both material enjoyment and spiritual enlightenment. However, I do not often see this in other places, even in my first hometown. Anyway, the first meal I had after landing was, of course, Reganmian, or “hot dry noodles.” That dish represents the taste of my first hometown and brings back fond memories of my childhood.

  The final exam at SMU wrapped up this morning! The two-hour-long “Advanced Obligations” exam turned out to be easier than I expected — I’d say it was quite manageable. I think I did reasonably well. With that, all the requirements for the LLM program are now complete. All that’s left is to wait for the final grades from my last two courses to be released. Today was also the SOTA (School of the Arts Singapore) Open House. Xara attended the event with great enthusiasm, arriving at 9:00 a.m. and staying until 2:00 p.m. It’s clear she’s genuinely interested in the school. I truly hope she gets the opportunity to be admitted.

  Shirakawa was precisely what I had in mind for Japan’s snow mountain. After seeing only city views in Singapore, it was overwhelming to be surrounded by such breathtaking beauty. I felt deeply grateful for bringing my family here to witness this incredible sight.

Every time I visit a castle in Japan, I am amazed at how completely all the ancient Chinese architecture has been destroyed. If historians were to study how these ancient buildings were destroyed, I would guess that there were three peak periods of destruction: 1 ） after the Mongols invaded China in the 13th century; 2) during the Qing dynasty, many Ming-ear structures were destroyed; and, 3) during the political movements initiated by the CCP in the 20th century. All of the above rulers tried to destroy the roots of Chinese civilization.

  Kanazawa Castle is an essential part of the city’s history. For over 280 years, it was the home of the Maeda family, which governed the Kaga Domain—present-day Ishikawa and Toyama.

  Every morning, I wake up to a view that feels like a living painting, filling me with a calm and joy I didn’t expect. From my balcony, I have a sweeping look at the city, where urban life meets the open sky and sea. Rooftops and greenery blend together in a scene that’s both lively and peaceful. I never thought a cityscape could be this beautiful, but here it is, right in front of me, every day. With my morning coffee in hand, I step out and let my gaze wander. Sunlight washes over the rooftops, glints off the high-rises, and casts a warm glow over everything. The sky, dotted with soft clouds, stretches endlessly, adding depth to the horizon. It’s a reminder of the vastness of the world and the endless possibilities within it. Standing here, it all feels comforting and grounding—a daily ritual that resets my mind and prepares me for the day.

  A fancy Japanese restaurant that does not sell sake.

Nasi Bakar is a traditional Indonesian dish that translates to "grilled rice." This culinary delight typically consists of seasoned rice mixed with various ingredients, such as vegetables, meat (chicken, fish, or seafood), and spices. The rice is then wrapped in banana leaves and grilled or baked, giving it a distinctive smoky flavor while retaining moisture from the banana leaves. The preparation of Nasi Bakar usually involves cooking the rice with herbs and spices to enhance its flavor. Once cooked, it is combined with the chosen fillings, wrapped securely in banana leaves, and then either grilled over an open flame or baked in an oven. This method of cooking not only adds a unique flavor but also creates an appealing presentation. Nasi Bakar is often enjoyed as a snack or a main dish and is popular in various regions of Indonesia. The versatility of the ingredients allows for many variations, catering to different tastes and dietary preferences. It is typically served with...

Nasi padang is a Minangkabau dish of steamed rice served with various choices of pre-cooked dishes originating from West Sumatra, Indonesia. It is named after the city of Padang, capital of the West Sumatra province. A miniature banquet of meats, fish, vegetables, and spicy sambals eaten with plain white rice, it is Sumatra's most famous export and the Minangkabau people's primary contribution to Indonesian cuisine.

  What a coincidence! After I bought two batik shirts and found a seat at Bali Timbungan Sarinah, I heard somebody call my name. It was the professor who led this SMU event in Jakarta and Bandung! He recommended this Bali grilled fish, which is delicious. I can see the Professor enjoys this dish very much, too! From Wikipedia: “ Ikan bakar literally means ‘grilled fish’ in Indonesian and Malay. Ikan bakar differs from other grilled fish dishes in that it often contains flavorings like bumbu, kecap manis, sambal, and is covered in a banana leaf and cooked on a charcoal fire.”

  My first lunch in Jakarta was sop buntut, namely oxtail soup. This dish was well-spiced and delicious!

It always feels good to be back to school. Even though we can put millions of books into a small Kindle, the existence of libraries reminds us that education and knowledge are the primary driving forces to lead a society out of ignorance and bias. 

I took this phone near Li Ka Shing Library, Singapore Management University. This is the heart of Singapore, where you can find a blend of modern architecture, cultural landmarks, and natural beauty. I always feel inspired when I am surrounded by young students.

I love taking photos around SMU, my university in downtown Singapore. The outlines of the university buildings are interesting, and the colors of the pictures are always vivid and exhilarating. I took this backlight photo this afternoon using my iPhone 12. Those leaves made me notice that the trees on the campus are genuinely different.

  East Coast Park (ECP). This photo was taken by my elder daughter using her iPhone SE. ECP is where my family can find natural beauty, recreational activities, and a serene environment. I love watching those big ships waiting to come into the Singapore port. Sometimes, you can see magical lights and shadows just like this.

  The Tranquil Beauty of a Seascape: Reflections on Nature's Masterpiece Nature has an unparalleled ability to captivate and inspire, often leaving us in awe of its grandeur and subtle beauty. The photograph at hand, depicting a serene seascape at either dawn or dusk, is a testament to this natural splendor. With its soft interplay of colors, dramatic clouds, and calm waters, this image invites us to pause and reflect on the profound tranquility and majesty of the natural world. The Gentle Awakening of the Sky The sky in the photograph is a mesmerizing palette of soft pastels, transitioning from the cool blues of the night to the warm, golden hues of the impending sunrise or sunset. This gentle awakening of the sky symbolizes the beginning of a new day or the peaceful conclusion of one. The subtle gradient of colors, from deep blues to warm oranges and pinks, creates a soothing and harmonious visual experience. It evokes a sense of calm and serenity, reminding us of the cyclical na...

The word “involution” in China nowadays describes overworking or over-competition that results in less or no results. The background is rampant homogeneous competition in mainland China. Lacking home-originated creativity, everyone has to rely on lower prices, minor product feature improvements, and nearly the same marketing strategy. It’s a very pathetic situation. Also, “involution” can refer to too many overqualified young graduates from prestigious universities competing for an underpaid job. You can often hear scores of postgraduates from Peking or Tsinghua competing for a teaching job in a middle school. What a waste.

  I took a business trip to Malaysia from Wednesday to Saturday. The primary purpose of this trip was to handle some administrative changes for our newly acquired Malaysian company. On Thursday, I met with our own corporate secretary firm. The following day, the two outgoing directors signed all the necessary documents to facilitate the change, allowing us to notify the previous corporate secretary of his replacement. During this visit, I couldn’t help but reflect on the efficiency of different places. In my experience, Singapore stands out as a far more efficient place than Malaysia. The contrast was quite striking and something I thought worth noting.