Good morning. 2009 is bound to be the year in which I travel intensively. It is likely to be the time that I set my foot on most number of places up to my life so far. In the early spring, I went to Jiangnan (low reaches of Yangtze River). That is an elegant and beautiful place. I lingered around that region for more than a month. During Tomb-sweeping festive, we travelled down south to Henan Province. Those ancient cities and splendid culture still live vividly in my memory. In Larbor-Day Holiday, I visited again the Jiangnan region. But that time, I went to the city of Suzhou alone. I have taken loads of pictures on the way, which of course constitutes part of the good memories. But for me, that may not be enough.

I think the best way to preserve the memory and emotion is to write and record it down in words. That is one of my traditions. Those travelogues, as recorded over the past 4 years, can be seen as a collection of my thoughts and perspective to this world, south and north, in and abroad. I am passionate about travelling, and also inclined to record my footstep for future memory. Again, that is part of my life.

I have to say that different people may have different angles and understandings on this world, which is highly dependent upon his/her personality and growth background. What I am writing here is just to tell the story of my own. Readers may not entirely agree with what I said. That doesn't matter. I wrote to share with you what I saw and felt on the way. Ultimately, those are the words preserved to myself. I believe they are the precious gifts to be reaped when I am getting old.

Good morning. As we know, highly infectious diseases have been spreading across the world in recent years and claimed the lives of hundreds of people. SARS and H1N1 flu are two of diseases drawing most of world attention. The seriousness in its fatality should never be underestimated. Fortunately, WHO and governments across the globe have taken concrete and effective actions in curbing the virus from spreading and carefully treating those who have been infected. Modern society has brought to us enormous comfort and prosperity, but coming with it as well are by-products, some of which are so destructive in nature that they even threaten the lives of the earth. I don’t know how exactly these two types of disease has come into being. Some say they may be originated from science lab by human’s malicious intent. Other may claim that it is the sort of punishment from heaven for humans who have conducted so much crime. What I am certain is that this sort of heterogeneous variant may have some linkage with the environmental degradation in recent years. When harmony between nature and human broken, adjustments have to be made to correct it back, unfortunately, the price associated with which is sometimes too high for human being to undertake.

The recent out break of H1N1 flu (also known as swine flu earlier) originated in Mexico and has quickly spread across the globe. No matter how hard we have tried and whatever tight measures have been taken, we are not exempt from the influence of this disease. Up to now in China, hundreds of infected cases have been reported and there is no sign at this stage that the spreading has been entirely contained. We did learn a lot from the spreading of SARS in 2003. The experience obtained from it has proven to be adequate and effective, without which we would have seen hundreds of infection cases on daily basis as well just like the horrible and panic scene we saw in the spring of 2003. Some western countries and media (damn BBC) have claimed the measures taken by China, say segregation for patients, in curbing the disease spreading have abused the human right. They apparently know little about China. Urgent circumstances need urgent actions. The best solution for China, a populous and inbalanced country, is to have a wise and authoritative regulator in dealing with urgent matters. Democrat voting is an arduous and time-consuming process.  It is highly likely that thousands of lives may have been claimed before the completion of democratic process. This could be unarguably proved right when citing the unfortunate example of hurricane Katrina disaster in US, 2005.  The way that US Government responded and handled the relief work demonstrated once more the high-rocket price sometimes incurred of democratic institutions.

Good morning. Today I would like to say something about the benefit of getting up early. Nowadays, more and more young people choose to stay up late at night either for over-time working or just seeking for entertainment. Some of habits may have long been raised back in college days. Back then, several guys cramped into a single room and it was hardly possible to lead a truly independent life, since one's life schedule might be influenced more or less by others'. I remember when I was at college, guys sharing the same room with me or living in the neighbourhood often got highly activated after electricity-off at late night (around 11:00 pm). It is hard to blame, since that is what the college life is like. In those years I remember the average timing of my falling into sleep was probably after the mid-night, the habit of which continues even after my graduation. As is well known, everything comes with a price. The price associated with staying up late is not just getting up later next morning, but more importantly, the degradation of personal health in the long term.

For such a long while, my excuse for staying up late is that I cannot sleep before the completion of daily job. I have tried to go to bed early by either increasing efficiency or squeezing the workload. The 'job' mentioned here is not in the sense of daily routines used to make the end meets like we I have been doing at office, but more of self-entertaining recreational activities. I am used to reading books or writing essay at night, which also consists of a great part of my daily job. Things are not easy. I have also been pressured a lot from my family. Parents have pressed me for a long while to raise a balanced life habit.  

One day in this summer, I decided to make a difference, since I was dawned with an idea that may help ravel this predicament. I began asking myself why not put the 2 extra hours staying up late the night before to the next early morning? Jobs can be done with no compromise upon either quantity or quality at all. That is indeed a perfect solution and I am extremely delighted to find it. It means just a slight adjustment on daily life schedule. But the benefit coming with it is huge and obvious: more healthy way of life, much clearer mind in the early morning leading to be more productive and efficient. I used to make metaphor in this regards, saying I am just like an emperor (a good and conscientious emperor of course) having the daily assignment of receiving his chancellors in the early morning for a discussion of national affairs. It feels great when thinking about it in that way.

Things are always difficult at the first step. We have been told that a habit can be raised by an endurance of at least 21 days sticking to it. Sorry I forgot the name of the author for this psychological theory. However I have been fortunate enough to get through this period and feel that it is harder for me to go back to the old habit any more.

CCTV’s BizChina is a flagship program focusing on business and financial news update. Compared with other news report, Biz is more professional and specialized as represented by its contents and even the vocabulary utilized. As an economics degree bearer, I always find Biz favors my appetite. Among them, the section of Biz Interview and stock market report attract me the most. Biz Interview features the dialogue with business leaders, social elites, renowned scholars and government officials, from which I have gained tremendously deep insights on this dramatically changing world. Based on global perspective, these influential figures tell us series of vivid stories concerning economic polices, business strategies and management. Another feature that has attracted me a lot come as the final part of the program: Biz market report. This last seven or eight minutes are always full of various kinds of figures, charts and analysis of market performances and corporate financial news. The information it delivers is so explosive that the anchors are generally required to speak incredibly fast. But for me, it is a rarely priceless gift as it grants me a wonderful opportunity to sharpen my English while at the same time, stay informed and updated on all the happenings on global financial market.

In addition to this, Biz bears another distinctive characteristic which makes it truly unique. If time permits, it always ends up with a story totally different from economy and business. A great variety of news sketches ranging from art performance to new creation, from cultural event to adventurous exploration can be seen here, giving audience a little while of relaxation and fresh feeling after an intensified business roundup.

Together with BBC world service, BizChina has been part of my life for almost two years. I still remember the first time when I turned to this channel and watched in thorough bewilderment. The anchors speak so fast that it was a lot more difficult for me to catch on. But things have got increasingly better from then on, for I have proved to be an audience with high fidelity. This has actually been a tough process in which I have spent countless hours, but finally amply awarded by drastic improvement in English and fruitful economic and business knowledge.

Among all the anchors, I like Chris Gelken and Jacqueline Chen the most. Their British accent and anchoring style have fascinated me a lot. During the program, they often chose to abandon the scripts and amiably banter those market figures, which made the news report full of fun and interest. The image and atmosphere of business and financial world as being serious and tough was significantly altered by their anchoring technique, which I do appreciate a lot. Other anchors like RuiChenggang and Kate Kui are excellent as well. Especially Kate, who speaks much faster in comparison with her colleagues. She is always full of passion and energy in broadcasting, even though making you feel a little exhausted after the half hour program.

Life on the mainstreet is far more than those in utopia. This is a real world with diversified races, cultures and life styles. Sometimes it appears to me as a corner of a metropolis like New York or Hong Kong, where it is featured by those soaring skyscrapers with various kinds of functions. One may easily get lost when night falls, left with thorough dismay and bewilderment. But more often than ever, it could be seen as a small lively town. People living here are extremely versatile and warm-hearted. It is a place where I can find and experience whatever I want. How many times have I stopped by the craftsman’s just to witness the entire process of those magical creations and share with the old man the artistic skills for masterpiece which have been passed down for countless generations? Indeed, everyone here has a story to tell and to share with.

I still clearly remember the looking of Wallstreet which I visited last month. Trekking in snow is never a joyful experience. The busiest and toughest place on this planet seemed to be more tranquil under the gloomy weather. With the mausoleum on one end and the river on the other, the severe atmosphere made me internally threatened and frustrated.

Mainstreet shall never be like that. Blessed by sunshine, ever-green trees and crystal water, it could remain lively and prosperous for all seasons. Walking on the mainstreet will always give me new insights and fresh ideas. Here I can make new friends, enrich knowledge and experience on all fields. Thrilled by the excitement of the new findings, I often fantasy myself as a small kid with strong curiosity for almost every wonder of the world.