Some people of pro-city may say they can benefit
from the excellent medical care and education there which fall short of
standard in rural areas. But they haven’t realized that when they enjoy the
privileges they have become the victims of different diseases for the harmful
environments and unhealthy way of life and they and their kids have been and
will be trained as test-machines in the test-orientated factories rather than schools for moral education has almost
been neglected. They think it successful to obtain admission to some prestigious
school and get a well-paid job. People are seeking more than necessary which easily leads
to wrongdoings.

The school we visited yesterday is named
Shangde, which means to worship the virtues. In his speech, Mr Wang, principal
of the school stressed the importance of inheriting the traditional Chinese
virtues advocated by Confucianism. As a matter of fact, its motto is
benevolence, righteousness, courtesy, wisdom, trust, temperateness, kindness,
courteousness, restraint, magnanimousness. Calligraphy, a part of the
quintessence of Chinese culture, is offered as one of the compulsory courses in
the school. Some unnecessary subjects have been cancelled to make time for the
more important ones. The teachers in charge of the classes are demanded to
write a one-thousand-odd-character comment of each of their students by the end
of every term for delivering to the parents. So it’s no wonder the school
enjoys widespread popularity.

Now that I learnt through the Net it would rain tonight, I began to sort out the disordered things across the yard as soon as I returned home. Moved some of them into the shed; gathered those left outdoors closely together with them covered. It had been drizzling before I completed the job. The light rain would probably turn into a moderate one later at night as the forecast had said. It will be sleeting tomorrow. I heard some of my driving colleagues thinking of getting their car tyres changed for snow ones. The slippery snow-covered road will be a great challenge to these drivers.

On my travel to school this morning I began wearing my gloves to resist the cold. I left the shaded chilly printing room where I usually stay alone and moved to the sunny warm office where a seat is reserved for me. Suddenly an idea occurred to me on how to wisely use the deserted hardened flour I picked the other day. The flour has deteriorated obviously and somewhat discolored. Although it has become inedible, it can be made paste we needn’t grudge. Then I can use the paste sticking paper slips onto the crevices of the draughty windows facing north before sealing them with plastics.

The treacherous court officials were
usually favored and held key posts. The loyal and upright persons would suffer
political persecution.

奸佞兮高張，忠賢兮被殃。How ridiculous it is to be depressed alone for us
mediocre ones！

庸碌兮我辈，何謬兮獨傷！

Late wife’s sister came over towards evening in spite of my stopping her in advance. She puts up at the bungalow with mother. I offered her newly cooked rice, potatoes and eggplants. She also brought mother some food.
Watched Challenge the Impossible on the first channel of CCTV. A young man surnamed Z correctly arranged a pack of cards like the disorderly pack within 17 seconds by quick memory, 3 seconds less than the record kept by a German. When asked about his reflections, Z said we usually underestimate our own abilities, which prevents us from bringing our potential into full play.

I wondered why we were suddenly demanded to
pay the membership dues. Soon we each were given some bagged moon cakes.

何故征斂心茫然，旣而月餠現眼前。Now we all have a tacit understanding
although our chief had never mentioned it.

執事未曾置一言，我等心照雖不宣。

The newly bought writing brush brought me great happiness. I was inclined to write with it when I got free. Its tip keeps gathering together and flexible when used. I can write out strokes and characters I intend. I like it so much that I can hardly tear myself from it. Therefore, I hate to stop my writing with it. I had dreamed of owning a good brush for practising calligraphy. But I grudge spending any money on buying brushes. I had always been using the old bushes left by father and wife in spite of their bad results. It was a rare pleasure for me when Mr Y bought me one not long ago.

We need to keep the hills green and the
waters clear when mining gold and silver from the mountains.

我们既要绿水青山，也要金山银山。

We would rather have green hills and clear
waters than amass fortunes from gold and silver mining. Green hills and clear
waters are great wealth.

宁要绿水青山，不要金山银山，而且绿水青山就是金山银山。Why is polygamy enforced in Paraguay？ It has only a population of 7,000,000
and most of which is female. The seven-year long war from 1862
had left three-fourths of its male population dead. With regard to the
disproportionate ratio of men to women, the government has decided to practice polygamy
making sure all the women are married off. In such an underdeveloped country, all
the husbands have great family pressures for supporting so many wives.

Today I went to our provincial city
commemorating my late wife. On my way back, I turned towards some bookshops for
buying masterpieces and writing brushes.

今之省城祭亡妻，歸途輾轉置書筆。Suddenly sister told me on the phone that
mother got very anxious for my prolonged absence. The time had slipped by. It had been afternoon now.

電傳老母家中急，不覺荏苒日偏西。