My darkest hours

The internship started much earlier than I thought. Thus my idyllic days were brought to an abrupt end when I entered SVA Building for the first time this Wednesday. It is most ironic to think that after all my complaints of how money has penetrated almost all aspects of our society and of my predilection for a more reclusive life, I will have to spend the next two months struggling with numbers and stock markets. I can almost hear DA saying "What a waste of time!"

My work at SMG turned out to be less of a bore than I had expected. I was assigned to a daily business program (only weekdays) "China Business Briefing", under Cheng Lei, a rather noted Chinese anchor from CNBC. And I gained her trust almost instantaneously. I have been writing news script (1 piece/day), which are subsequently aired on China Business Briefing. While to date I do relish my foray into the news industry, nevertheless, it is nothing more than the pleasure a dilettante takes from his dabbling in an unknown field. The idea of staying on for good (which means extensive research on marketing, business, success stories, self-help guides: well, gibberish) is simply unbearable.

At the same time, my future still hangs in the air. Indeed, at this minute everthing does look rather promising: there is a good possibility that I will still go to London this September; there is a good chance that finally I might find THE opportuned moment to impart to P the secret I have tried to hide for the last five years (but in vain). Alas! On the darker side, London might eventually prove to be a dead end and as to P, it might be nothing but a reverie. I might, I just might have to eventually start anew, literally. (Way too many "mights" in this paragraph)

Shanghai

P came and left. The weekend has been a heavenly blessing, which reminds me so much of those felicitous afternoons in Heidelberg. It will surely become yet another one of these tales that we shall constantly find ourselvesl referring to in the future. And more time to spend together after she come back to Shanghai is prmoised. While a promise is always a promise, I have so often seen in the past unfavourable turns of fortune. Better not keep my hope too high.

Finally, I am back in Shanghai again. While there is much work left yet undone, the prospect of getting round to reading the piles of books that have arrived since my departure to Japan shall always help me find my solace.

Shakespeare on the fickle nature of earthly love

Merchant of Venice

Act II Scene VI

Salerio

O! Ten times faster Venus' pigeons fly
To Seal love's bond new-made, than they are wont
To keep obliged faith unforfeit.

A Midsummer Night's Dream

Act I Scene I

Helena

Love looks not with eyes, but with the mind,
And therefore is winged Cupid painted blind.
Nor hath Love's mind of any judgement taste;
Wings, no eyes, figure unheedy haste:
And therefore is Love said to be a child,
Because in choice he is so oft beguiled.
As waggish boys in game themselves forswear,
So the boy Love is perjured everywhere.