Day: February 3, 2014

Let’s Talk About the Super Bowl

Daphne PsaledakisLeave a comment

As a Colorado resident, watching the Super Bowl yesterday was a bit embarrassing. The Broncos haven’t exactly been the strongest team in the past, but this year they improved considerably. The fact that they made it to the Super Bowl is pretty impressive in itself. Their performance during the Super Bowl was not.

The commercials were the most interesting part.

The Chevy Silverado commercial was a riot, and the Maserati commercial was probably the deepest car commercial I’ve ever seen. And Budweiser, of course, left eyes watering with their adorable puppy commercial. I was impressed by the commercials, although some people have claimed them to be lackluster this year.

I was also pleasantly surprised by the halftime performance. I did not have very high expectations for Bruno Mars, but his dancing and attire made up for his cheesy lyrics. He was better than Madonna at least.

So basically everything about the Super Bowl except for the actual football part was pretty cool. The football was just sad. It left a lot to be desired for a much-talked about match up. And even though I was rooting for the Broncos, I can’t be completely angry at the Seahawks for bringing home their first championship.

The Road thats been taken

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rtrt4

Old roads built out of bricks and blood,

The man fell down with a heavy thud.

Stabbed from all sides, cornered in a hall,

It did not take long for the man to fall.

His supporters had adored his great rise,

They had seen the word through his eyes.

His life did not begin well, nor was its end.

Believers believed that he could mend.

A democracy crumbled, a dollar destroyed,

To him the nation is but a toy.

He played with it wrong and paid the price,

A violent end to a quick life.

He Shines.

enternity1030Leave a comment

“Why do you love him?”
“Because he shines.”

He shines so bright
that the light is strong enough
to penetrate all the fear and timidity
to stream into the blood
to devour every corner of the soul
to fulfill each second with meanings

and eventually
leaves a hole on the dying heart

A Lazy Afternoon.

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I had a really really “lazy” dream last night…

“That must be a heated summer afternoon.

This “gentleman” definitely feels too hot in his thick black fluffy fur jacket. Look at his long and sharp claws, and those hairless soles. Life must be much easier for a sun bear like him, because he has got all those necessary needs in order to live an ideal life in the trees.

It is lovely that the fur around his nose and mouth suddenly turns white, while his whole body is black. What a good-looking “gentleman”! His outstanding appearance must attract a lot of “ladies” around him.

However, this lucky “gentleman” seems to be lazy today. His frown and his drooping lips are saying that he doesn’t feel like doing anything but lounging on this comfortable tree. The heat makes him unpleasant, but the relaxing position placates him. His limpid eyes are staring into the air, but they are also filled with thoughts. He might be thinking about his life. He might be looking at some distant forest and dreaming about his future. Or, he is just thinking about tonight’s dinner menu. Who knows?”

But, dream is just dream. I had to wake up again and study for my finals!

Snowflake.

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Snowflake

On the silent street
your shadow is fading away
into a piece of snowflake

I lean back on the corner
writing your name on the snow
thinking of the new-grown grass and watching our memories flow

You would never know
how sorrow and empty I feel
like a snowflake spinning, dancing
and finally dissolving into the snow

“Clear” Sky

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Three weeks ago, when my plane landed on the ground, I was totally shocked about the view outside the window, because I could see nothing but hazy and foggy air.

I heard about the haze in my city before I left school, but I did not expect the situation to be such serious.

It made me sad somehow. There is not more bright sun or shiny stars. Tall buildings could only be seen partially. Everyone was wearing mouth masks. It became hard to catch a taxi because you could not see the cars clearly enough.

People were living in an unclear and gloomy world. And I missed my city – the clean, lively place.

Thick layers of haze that have been choking lots of cities in China recently. Haze is traditionally an atmospheric phenomenon where dust, smoke and other dry particles obscure the clarity of the sky. Sources for haze particles include farming (ploughing in dry weather), traffic, industry, and wildfires. Industrial pollution can also result in dense haze, which is known as smog.

Big cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Zhejiang, Tianjin, Xi’An were all victims, which led to issues including flight delaying, diseases and inconvenience of people’s daily lives.

The good news was that the air became much clearer than the day I arrived but I still saw a different city.

I don’t know what is going on nowadays with the environment.
I just want my city and the clear sky back.

Over the Rainbow.

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What do I hope to find over the rainbow?
Of course a perfect me, I think. That would be a beautiful girl with a charming smile and melodious voice. She would have everything and be successful at everything she does.

Right in front of me there is a vast rainbow stretching into infinity.
After open the red door with all of my curiosity, the orange river appears and runs eagerly by my side. I follow the river into the splendid yellow. The green leaves swing and wave to me as I pass them. Then the raindrops fall, the sky turns into an endless gloomy shield. The storm starts to howl, carrying blue dust. I look into the gloomy shadow and move forward into another unknown. I move slowly but firmly. I will not change my direction until I find out what is waiting for me over the rainbow. As I am picturing all the possibilities, suddenly a streak of indigo lighting breaks the silence. The snowflakes spin and sway from the violet sky, dancing with dulcet music.

Suddenly I realize something. The rainbow is just like life. There will be pleasure filled with bright colors, and there will also be gloomy moments filled with challenges and difficulties.

Finally I reach the end of the rainbow. Unfortunately, there is nothing but a mirror in front of me. With disappointment I walk closer to meet the girl in the mirror, who looks exactly like me without anything special. She is not that perfect self I had hoped to find after all. I look into the mirror and observe the girl more carefully. Something has changed about her. Her face is more confident and she seems stronger. The girl is me; a new person after the rainbow journey. She is the person who has just enjoyed the beauty and conquered all the hardships; she is the person I want to be.

I look back at the rainbow, from which I discovered my own identity. I bid a thankful farewell to the journey, from which I learned to know not a perfect but a real self.

Suddenly I realize something. I will smile at the person in the mirror.
Yes, this is what I hope to find over the rainbow – a true me.

The Grey Road

frog3

ded

They curve along like a snake.
How much pain can they take?

Grey and cracked showing no fear.
Why does one even tread here?

It not fun.

Imaginative.

Scary.

Exciting.

Nor beneficial.

Yet we all do it just as were told.

Why does this routine not grow old?

Christmas in China

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Lots of my American friends have been asking me about Christmas in China and how we celebrate the holiday. Well, since Christmas is not a Chinese traditional festival, we do not really celebrate it like the western cultures.

However, Christmas is becoming more well known and more popular. There are always Christmas tress near the big shopping malls and the trees on the roadsides will be decorated into colorful lights. There will be sales in the malls and Christmas music is everywhere.

Only some families opt to have a small Christmas tree during Christmas in China. Few homes have Christmas lights strung outside or candles in the windows. Malls, banks and restaurants often have Christmas displays, Christmas trees, and lights. Large shopping malls help usher in Christmas in China with tree lighting ceremonies.

As for the Santa Claus, it’s not uncommon to see a Santa Claus at malls and hotels across Asia. To draw some attention, some stores will have their staff dress up as Santa and probably do some performances. Chinese children do not really get gifts from people but everyone expects something from the mysterious Santa Claus.

I am really excited about this upcoming holiday. Hope it’ll snow this year!