mind-boggling thoughts

The progress of snowboarding

Thanksgiving, 2004 - it was the first time we went snowboarding. At that time, we lived in San Diego and we went to the Bear Mountain in Big Bear Lake. We learned how to stop and how to do falling lead in the first class. Then we went on to the group class that afternoon and were divided into the lowest-class group - two people in a group with an instructor - Yeah! Then we learned toe-side falling lead. Of course, Jia was pretty good at both falling leads and I was still stumble with the toe-side one.

X'mas 2004 - we went to Lake Thahoe for a 5 day vacation. We went to Sierra-at-Tahoe for a three day package. It was fun.

The scenic 88 from Lake Tahoe to Stockton

Wow! It is so wonderful to drive this route (South Lake Tahoe to Stockton) in the winter. Yesterday the road condition was pretty good since there was no big storm before. It was windy but the snow scene around the kirkwood area was breath-taking. It is a pity that we didn't bring the camera this time. Sometimes the scene can be only cherished and kept in the heart.

We will definitely check out Kirkwood this winter.

Ice Dancing - Winter Olympics

I was not familar with Winter Olympics programs at all. This time watching is the first time to know that they not only have pair figure skate but also ice dance.

When watching the short program after witnessing several couples falling, J said it is not fair that they changed to a new grading system and required more techniques. He said it is more like figure skate in that way. I think he got a point there.

The XY Generation

People are divided by the year they were borned and also the time they grow up. Usually we are divided like borned in 60's, 70's, and 80's. We probably should add 90's and 00's for they are teens and toddlers, who soon will be the main market focus - like the future star.

The reason that I am writing about this one is that I saw an article about "Wan Baobao," the granddaughter of 万里. Well, I am not into politics so I have no feelings about 万里 or his granddaughter at all. But the article tries to do some contrast between the traditional Chinese way and the new generation's style. Wan Baobao is very open and tries to be sexually appealing in the article. She belongs to the 80's group. She has been abroad and accepted a lot of western cultures and values.

I don't know why it makes me wonder about the XY generation in China - they are the newest generation and much lucky or unlucky than I. They are lucky for more and more Chinese families are richer and can provide them with greater goods and education. They are unlucky for they are strangers to the traditional Chinese customs. Just like Wan Baobao, they don't care or even disgrace the values of the old generations. Therefore, they are marked as rebelling or inmature or naive in some way.

I am not trying to debate which generation is more right. But I just hope that new and traditional can be well balanced.

Flamenco

There are three flamenco dance instructors at SF dance center.

Monica
Fee for Workshop (10 weeks)
Pre-registration (if received by March 6) $120

Yaelisa
http://www.caminosflamencos.com/index2.htm
Yaelisa offers 2 classes appropriate for beginners of different levels: Tuesdays 6-7pm and Saturdays 1-2pm. Most appropriate of these 2 choices for new beginners would be Tuesdays 6-7pm
Cost:                     $100 for each 8-week workshop       $16 Drop-In

Iglesias http://www.flamenco-academy.com/
However, the class is not progressive
She has a class in Palo Alto too:
M O N D A Y S:
7:45-9 P.M. New Beginner (Technique & Choreography)
Office and Studio Address:
ZOHAR is located at the Cubberley Community Center
4000 Middlefield Road
Building L, Room 4
Palo Alto, CA
Use the Cubberley Community Center North Entrance