2007年12月17日
A week and half ago, a group of USST debators, headed by Lisa and I left Shanghai for the 2nd IDEA British Parliamentary Debating Tournament held at Beijing Foreign Studies University. They were put into three teams -- two debators on each team.
It was much colder in Beijing, but we were prepared for the coldest possible weather. Many among us were there for the first time, and took a while to get over all the awe and excitement. This debating tournament attracted 125 teams from home and abroad, and the debating system was British Parliamentary Debate, which was widely adopted internationally. Lisa and I were invited to serve as adjudicators in some of the debating rounds. Personally, I enjoyed judging the rounds, because I encountered some of the most brilliant debators and appreciated their knowledge and insights on international issues, as well as their debating techniques. When we were not judging, we got to observe our students' debating rounds. I was equally amazed by their performance; considering some of them were just freshmen or sophomores, they were stunning. They demonstrated not only convincing arguments but also great debating spirits. None of them dropped out in any rounds, and fought till the end. Two of the teams narrowly missed the Octo-final by 1 or 2 points. The teams were a little disappointed, and thought they should've done better. However, they all know one thing for sure: they didn't lose; they got much more than the result.
posted @ 2007-12-17 22:46
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2007年6月5日
Two weeks ago, I bought a series of TV soap operas — The Apprentice. I had learned long ago that they were very entertaining and exciting to watch, and it was no exaggerating. American real estate tycoon, Donald Trump produced this life show to select potential candidates to run his companies. Young entrepreneurs and business people from all over the country flooded in New York City to seize the opportunities of lifetime. They were challenged to complete all kinds of business projects through team work. Those who didn't demonstrate leadership quality or performed badly in the team work were eliminated from the program, and as the program progressed, less and less people stayed. Eventually, only one person that survived over 10 rounds of competitions would be the apprentice. By now, I have finished two seasons, and am deeply impressed by enthusiam and exertions of the candidates. The program was also said to be instructive to business students and people entering the business world. I do recommend this program to people who are keen on achieving success in the corporate world.
posted @ 2007-06-05 22:05
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2007年6月3日
Yesterday, my SIFE team went to the national competition together with other regional winners from all over the country. The SIFE students were really geared up to a "bloody fight", although they were very confident about their projects and their audio-visual presentation. I didn't go with the team since I had an important exam to sit, and I was quite sure that at that point there was little I could contribute as an advisor. Everything had been done! The students were as competent as I'd thought. Before my exam began, I asked for the information of league slotting, and was informed that we were placed in the league with Fudan and Dalian University of Technology. I didn't think we had a lucky draw; Fudan never failed to advance to finalists in their record, and Dalian was tough because they had never failed to win regional competitions ever since they participated. But I still had faith in our team, hoping this year would be different. As I finished the first session of the exam, I got a call from Elyn, the team leader, who told me that we were the league winner, leading Fudan by just one point. I was so excited about it, and just expected that miracle would happen. However, in the next two hours, shocking news came that Fudan stepped up. I just couldn't believe it, and asked why. One of the students said that what they told me previously was not the official announcement; it was from a USST SIFE student who served as coordintor of the league, who got a chance to peer the result, which turned out to be misunderstood. The students were so depressed that they couldn't stay for the final competition where they didn't have a part. They were also frustrated by the fact that they were that close to the finalist but actually missed it. I failed to find words to comfort them, because I'd been there and knew how it hurt. I thought they needed to take some time to heal, and feel proud again of what they'd accomplished. Obiviously, other teams were impressed, and the judges were impressed with their performance. Competition is tricky. You just don't get it sometimes. All the teams that went as far as to the SIFE national competitions proved how amazing they were, and were cheered by other teams that were not as lucky. But as the national-level competitiors that were so close in terms of quality of performance, every edge of advantage mattered, especially school prestige. I wouldn't say we lost it because we didn't represent a more prestigous school, but when you had a group of local judges who might have a special liking of certain schools, things could be aweful. Considering there was only a margin of one point, the chance of misjudgment might not be slim. Anyway, the competition was over; it would be stupid to linger on the outcome. The significance of being involved in SIFE is far beyond winning a competition, as I constantly receive positive feedback from the alumni and people impacted. To me, this team is one of best teams nationwide; I've never seen this much passion for a student activity, this much impact made on hundreds of students involved. I can forsee the next round of enthusiasm for SIFE among our students because of this particular team, and this cause will definitely keep going on. I'd like to acknowledge the 2007 USST SIFE team — the Shanghai Regional Winner, and National Spirit Award receiver as well as the national final 8 teams.
posted @ 2007-06-03 19:47
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2007年5月18日
2007 SIFE Shanghai Regional Competition took place yesterday, attracting 20 universities from Shanghai and Zhejiang Province. This was the fifth time that USST SIFE had participated. We were awarded the national champion and went to Germany SIFE World Cup in 2003, but in the following three years, we were not lucky enough to advance to the national or global competitions, either because of fierce competition or misjudgment. However, the SIFE students and I never gave up. To many students, SIFE is unbelievable in that SIFE students take initiative to devote thousands of hours to helping others, and go to competitions that require excellent business and community projects as well as English presentation skills. It's really amazing to see USST SIFE continue its endeavors in the course during all the ups and downs. I was the SIFE president for three years, and was concerned about the following leaders of the team. To my surprise, every year afterwards a good team leader would come along. In 2006, Spirng Wang took the responsibility of leading a brand new team without any exprienced SIFE student from previous years, and did a fantastic job in the regional competition. This year, an ambitious SIFE student, Elyn Wu wanted to challenge the "Everest". She was born a leader with all the traits that can shape up things. Coincidentally, both of them were my students in their freshmen year, probably because I influenced them in some way.
With thousands of hours' input and an impact on hundreds of particidents, USST SIFE impressed all the judges in the league, and claimed the winner. Although we had very competitive teams like Shanghai Univerisity of Finance and Economics, which was last year's winner, and East China Univeristy of Science and Technology, which is very experienced, USST SIFE stood out because of convincing down-to-earth programs and superb English presentations skills that they'd trained for the last few months. The result of 2007 SIFE Shanghai Regional Competition is a surprise, yet a deserve. Now the 6 presenters and all the other supporting members must be busy preparing for their long-cherished national competition in June. Wish us all the best luck!
posted @ 2007-05-18 08:44
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2007年4月23日
Being mature doesn't just mean getting older, but becoming sensible and skillful in coping with all kinds of situations. I have come across people who are professionally successful and accomplished, yet not mature in handling personal and familial affairs. That can be in part attributed to lack of experience, but mental immaturity plays a bigger role. Ann and Frank are newly-weds, and just started their marital life with no parents living together. Both of them have good jobs, and are in deep love. Everything seems perfect except occasional quarrels. Ann enjoys compliments and tender treatment and cannot tolerate any criticism or ill treatment, probably because she has been very much spoiled by her parents. Whenever she feels neglected or hears harsh words, she makes a big fuss. On the other hand, Frank, though a few years older, is no better with unsatisfying situations. They seldom compromise for the other one, but keep defending for themselves. Quarrels escalate into conflicts and eventally physical clashes. You bet family violence will follow. Modern young people need to develop a sense of caring, learn the art of compromising and drop self-centredness. Then they will truely start to be mature.
posted @ 2007-04-23 16:14
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2007年2月15日
前几天，一口气把被不少评论家推荐的《大国的崛起》看完了。虽然，纪实频道也有陆续播放该片，但一直没有机会将它完整地看下来，所以决定把碟买回来，可以自己调配时间观看。看下来的感觉是，非常感慨世事无常，今日的小小国度可以变为明天的超级大国，而今天不可一世的强国却可能遭遇衰败。一次改革、一项发明、一次冒险可以带来深远的影响，以至于改变整个国家的命运，而一次战争、一个决定、一次退缩可能葬送绝佳的发展机遇，以至于一个国家很长时间内一蹶不振。500年在历史长河中只是短短片刻，这些国家风起云涌，争相称霸，而事实表明没有谁敢保证做永远的强国，也没有谁能预料接下来的大国又将是哪个。这也令人不免联想到个人的命运，今天的强者未必能把优势保持到底、今天的弱者说不定就是明天的佼佼者。谁说就没有“强者的崛起”？一切都还结果未定。
posted @ 2007-02-15 22:27
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2007年2月6日
今天来看一则科技新闻，学习一下最新的科技词汇。该新闻摘自路透社2月5日的报道：
An Australian university has agreed not to conduct stem cell research in a new medical center to be built on land bought from a Catholic college, sparking criticism the deal undermines the freedom of academic research.
The agreement prevents the university conducting embryonic stem cell research in the new center or "any other procedures involving the termination of human life or the artificial creation of human life."
可以重点学习下列词汇：
1. stem cell: 干细胞 生命科学领域经常出现的主题词，对于干细胞的研究将有望创造出任何人体器官，以治疗目前难以治愈的一些疾病。
2. spark: v 激发、使闪光 sparking criticism 的意思是引起批评
3. deal: n 约定、合约 这里的约定是指该澳大利亚大学同意不在从天主教学校买来的土地上建造的新医学中心进行干细胞研究。 口语中使用“deal”回答表示同意某个约定。
4. undermine: v 破坏、伤害 这个词很有用，还可以用来表示损害健康、名誉（undermine health/reputation）等。
5. embryonic: adj 胚胎的 胚胎干细胞研究被认为是有违伦理道德的，因为人的胚胎被认为是有生命的物质。
6. involve: n 有关、涉及、参与 根据不同的语境，使用不同的释义。
7. termination: n 终结、结束 “any other procedures involving the termination of human life”的意思是“任何涉及终结人类生命的做法” 这个词其实应该不陌生，还记得“终结者”吗？就是Ternimator。
8. artificial: adj 虚假的、人工的 如假笑（artificial smile）、假花（artificial flower），而文中是指“人工创造人类生命”。
英语学习者应该特别注意扩大知识面，积累各个领域的常见词汇。
posted @ 2007-02-06 21:59
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2007年1月16日
以下新闻段落选自路透社(Reuters)1月15日的娱乐新闻报道：
"Beckham announced last week he had not renewed his contract with Real Madrid and would move to Galaxy."
"Hollywood glamour more than the pull of U.S. soccer may explain why David Beckham has decided to move to Los Angeles Galaxy, according to Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani. "
该新闻解释了“万人迷”贝克汉姆为何决定转会洛杉矶银河队。
请看以下词汇及语言点：
1. renew: v. 更新、续签 renew the contract 续签合同 renew one's friendship with sb 与某人重叙旧情
2. Real Madrid: 西班牙皇家马德里队 有诸多著名球星效力过该足球队，如劳尔、菲戈、齐达内、罗纳尔多、贝克汉姆等
3. glamour: n. 魅力、魔力 这里指的是好莱坞的吸引力，由于贝克汉姆外表出众，被认为有可能进军好莱坞
4. pull: n. 拉力、吸引力 该句的意思是“与其说是美国足球的吸引力，还不如说是好莱坞的魅力让贝克汉姆决定转会洛杉矶银河队
5. Giorgio Armani: 意大利著名时装设计师乔治·阿玛尼，为英格兰队设计队服
posted @ 2007-01-16 12:20
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2007年1月14日
今天我们来看一则商业新闻的片段，来自美联社1月12日的报道：
"Wall Street analysts will be closely watching how the agency will help shape Wal-Mart's future message. Efforts over the past year and a half to improve its image with trendier fashion brands and home fashion accessories have fallen flat. Wal-Mart reported disappointing fall and holiday sales even as the company started to re-emphasize its low prices after months of playing down its discounting strategy." （Wal-Mart Picks New Ad Agencies）
这是关于世界连锁巨头沃尔玛聘请新广告代理的新闻。沃尔玛在去年年底的销售额有较大幅度的下降，因此该公司考虑另请高明，改进公司形象，向消费者传递物美价廉的信息。来学习下列词汇：
1. analyst：分析者 华尔街的投资者往往依赖评论家的分析做出相应的决策
2. agency：代理 又如： travel agency（旅行代理、旅行社）
3. shape：v. 形成、塑造 句中是指塑造沃尔玛的未来的形象（给消费者传递的信息） 还例如：shape the future business leaders （塑造未来的商业领导）
4. fall flat：彻底无效、失败 这里指沃尔玛过去一年半的创造流行品牌和时尚家用配饰的努力彻底失败
5. re-emphasize v. 重新强调、重视 这里指即使沃尔玛开始重新强调其商品的低价，也遭受到了令人失望的节日销售的下滑； “re”是表示“重新、再次”的前缀，例如：rewrite（重写）、reiterate （重申）、rebound （弹回）
6. play down: 使......显得不那么重要 这里指沃尔玛在过去几个月忽视折扣策略的使用
7. strategy n. 策略、战略 如business strategy商业策略 military strategy 军事策略
Now, do you understand the news?
posted @ 2007-01-14 00:54
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2007年1月11日
这是一则政治新闻中的段落，摘自美联社（Associated Press）1月11日的新闻：
“The bipartisan Iraq Study Group recommended last month that the administration directly engage both countries and seek their help in the war. But Bush has declined, citing Iran's efforts to arm itself with nuclear weapons and Syria's support of Hezbollah and Hamas, which the U.S. deems terrorist organizations. ” （Bush Works to Sell Troop Buildup Plan）
以下词汇能帮助你正确理解该新闻：
1. bipartisan: adj. 两党的; 得到两党支持的 美国进行权力之争的两党是共和党(Repulicans)和民主(Democrats)，往往都是争锋相对的，不过也有出于政治因素，进行一些合作，如这里提到的“Iraq Study Group ”就是两党参与的伊拉克研究组织
2. administration: n. (美国)政府 经常加上总统的姓氏，如 the Bush Administration （布什政府）
3. engage: v. 使参与 这里的"both countries"指后面提到的"Iran"和"Syria", 意思是使伊朗和叙利亚参与到战争中，并寻求它们的帮助
4. arm: v. 武装 arm...with nuclear weapons 伊朗用核武器装备自己，而 美国对此很反感
5. deem: v. 认为 相当于"consider"、"believe" ， 美国政府认为Hezbollah（黎巴嫩真主党，反以色列武装力量）和Hamas（哈马斯，巴勒斯坦激进组织）是恐怖组织
posted @ 2007-01-11 22:38
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