Travel tips from the New York Times

To travel cheaply while having fun is a good skill to have. This NY Times article details many websites that I think will be of interest to many people.

http://frugaltraveler.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/06/research-the-travelers-best-friend/

Have fun surfing!

The difference between the USA and Europe

Here's a wonderful article written by an American living in Amsterdam. He talks about how social-welfare and free-market can blend together in the Netherlands, and how USA can learn from the best of the system.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/03/magazine/03european-t.html?_r=1&em=&pagewanted=all.

I think I totally agree with the author. Children in Europe are definitely happier, and I believe the society in which they live has a lot to do with it.

the world is flat?

Just about 10 years ago I would never imagine that I would be spend so much of my life in the western hemisphere. At that time even the thought of having a vacation abroad and taking a plane was exhilarating; but just this year, I traveled at least 10 times by plane and crossed the Atlantic Ocean 5 times; I've visited Belgium, Netherlands, and Austria during the weekends when I didn't work in the lab. Education-wise, I went to Yale, a wonderful place that I would like to call it my second-home in the last four years. I'm not bragging about anything; I just thought, wow, as Thomas Friedman said in his book, "the world is flat." Individuals today have so many opportunities. I don't know why that is, just suffice to say the world is really changing from my parent's generation; even within my short 25 years of life, I've experienced such a change. You can say the change provides unprecedented opportunities, and I'm sure I'll be shaped by such a change. Just don't know how...this is the thing I need to think about.

New Year's Eve in Germany

My new year's eve turned out not bad at all. Four other friends and I had a gathering yesterday night, and my lonely soul finally had some company. It was an inspiring night actually because my friends are all international students, and I enjoyed learning about their backgrounds and future goals. I have to thank Geoffrey for inviting me to the dinner, so that I did not spent my night alone.

Many places in Munich were transformed into large party zones. Tons of people were lighting fireworks yesterday night around the city. It was kind of dangerous to walk around, as some fireworks jumped here and there on the ground instead of shooting straight into the sky. I was almost hit by one; fortunately I walked away fast enough. The situation really reminded of land mines in Gambodia. Nonetheless, the festive atmosphere made the city much warmer despite the cold weather.