7/11/08

It has been a long slow two weeks... getting used to the monsoon-speed of life here in Kunming. You never know if the day is going to be hijacked by a sudden, incessant downpour, like Today! I decided to do some productive things such as arrange my plants to catch the rain, make a delicious red bean-olive-roasted vegi-pasta salad, and catch up on my internet news reading.

My slow day might be best explained by my night last night which essentially began at midnight. A poker game. A bottle of Jameson. And a 100rmb buy-in. How can I put this 100rmb into perspective? How about a short list of expenses here in Kunming...

1 bottle Jameson = 105rmb (on insider discount)
1 loaf raisin walnut bread = 12rmb
1 cappuccino = 15rmb
1 box Wheaties = 50rmb
2 dozen fresh roses = 10rmb
1 (pirated, new release) DVD = 6rmb

I came out ahead with 200rmb at the end of the night, which would buy me everything on this list. I guess the Jameson is a sunk cost, but I do have half the bottle left. The only thing I lost was sleep.
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Why Lotus? Why Pine?

The lotus signifies the progress of the soul from the primeval mud of materialism, through the waters of experience, and into the bright sunshine of enlightenment.

The pine signifies longevity and endurance because of its green foliage year round. In both good and bad weather, the pine thrives year after year thus it also represents pure life and constancy in the face of adversity.

Yunnan Province is a mountain landscape created when the Indian Sub-continent crashed into the tropical lowlands of Burma. It is a place with hundreds of unique species and dozens of amazing topographies. When I walk the mountains of Yunnan, I breathe fresh pine air and marvel at the indigenous wildflowers. Yunnan is also the conduit through which Buddhism came to China, along the caravan trails from India. The lotus is a Buddhist symbol of purity and perfection. When I photograph these flowers, I am always captivated by their geometry and peace-inspiring colors.

my motto

Look well to this day For it is life The very best of life.
In its brief course lie all The realities and truths of existence,
The joy of growth, the splendor of action, The glory of power.
For yesterday is but a memory. And tomorrow is only a vision.
But today well lived Makes every yesterday a memory of happiness And every tomorrow a vision of hope.
Look well, therefore to this day.

--from the Sanskrit