Happy New Year 2012!

Resolutions for this year:

(1) Follow 

(2) Learn to love and care for Mom

(3) Stop m*******ing

(4) Teach well, learn well

Saul: what is the interesting thing about Saul? Well, I think it is about his insecurities. He always feels that he is such a lowly person, coming from a humble background, undeserving of all glory, honour and responsibilities as King of Israel.

At first, he already mentioned to Samuel: But am I not a Benjamite, from the smallest tribe of Israel, and is not my clan the least of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin? Saul later hid himself among the supplies when he was chosen to be King by lot. It shows how actually Saul thought about himself: too low, too small, unworthy.

When Saul became the first king, he started his reign with a heroic act combined with his generosity. This is surely a man before God. Alas, it did not take long for Saul to stray away from God. Saul used his own judgement instead of waiting for God. Saul did not consult with God before he fought in the war. Saul uttered unnecessarily foolish curse.

One more thing is how Saul took a very long time to build altar for God. Later on, he built monument for himself. What is this for? Surely it is a sign how Saul was still in struggle against his insecurities. He wanted the people to remember him, not God. Unfortunately, it is made worse by his defiance of God's command.

It is a reminder to me how I have to fight against my insecurities. I have to give glory to God. I have to remember that God is the first and foremost to be glorified. I have to declare to others that I am thankful to God, my God. Do not build monument or altar for myself, only for God and do it quickly.

What's other way to be competitive than to take part in as many competitions (and win) as possible?

If kids truly have a lot of energy, their energy should not be supressed but should be managed well by directing it into productive purposes. It is the reason why the kids should be trained more in their physical exercises. They should not be contained in classrooms, sitting nicely and quietly listening to the teachers for hours.

Teachers must be trained well to manage the whole process of energy conversion from potential to become productive energy.

In the mid of reading After Empire by Dilip Hiro. Most of the book only contains summaries of contemporary events. It is good in the sense that a reader does not have to search by him/herself a lot of politics and economic information. It does not much analyses for the current situation. Yet, a careful reading can get glimpse of what the author has in his mind.

As for me, though I have not finished reading it yet, Mr Hiro seems optimistic (perhaps, too much) about the world where American influence is waning. He examines several other countries which challenge US authority such as Russia, China, India, Iran and Venezuela. He welcomes the new phenomenon and believes it will turn out to be positive for everyone (except the Americans themselves, maybe).

A point which I do not find it satisfying is his belief that China will rise in a peaceful manner. He sees the Chinese model of centralised capitalist economy is another (better?) alternative to the economic system of USA. He is awed by the achievement of Chinese government in pursuing and maintaining economic growth and political unity. He seldom questions the social and environmental impact of the growth. He does not pay attention to the military ambitions of PLA.

A lot of people believe that the rise of China will be different from the other great powers. Personally I do not see how. Some say that China in the past was a kind of victim of foreign colonialism. Britain, Japan, USA all had interfered in Chinese business, trying to grab a piece of Chinese resources or regions. Thus, China is now entitled to get its due part, or China has learnt how destructive is the colonialism and thus will avoid walking in the same path.

Yet we can say that the US founding fathers actually fled from the religious persecutions. They set up firm foundations for a democratic nation. The nation now has become one of the most-hated great power in the world. So, why should China, with the past experience, be different?

One look at how China treated Taiwan, or Vietnam, or Tibet, or even India in the past only show how China most likely will not be different from other powers. China will, like it or not, climb the world ranking and definitely be the best candidate to question US hegemony. Yet it may simply be called as change of management. Or even worse, new cold war.

Planning for End of Year 2009 and All of Year 2010

(1) Tutoring Math

Making more problems on my own hand

Collecting more mathematical puzzles and brain-teasers

(Optional) Studying Math Olympiad problem

(2) Tutoring Science

Solving more primary level science problems

Ordering books for physics and chemistry to do practice

(3) KTB

Practising bible reading more

Sharing more on personal life

(4) Teaching PG

Setting the goal and quantitative parameters