It has been a month since the last update of the first blog. September is the third month of employment, during which I went through the probation defense and a change in work location. I have been relatively busier at work compared to the first two months. I couldn't keep up with the plan of writing one post per week as expected, but at least one post per month is acceptable (if the plan cannot be achieved, I can change the plan, that's how casual I am, haha).
In this blog, I will review my personal life in the past month:
"Progress at Work"
I am gradually getting familiar with and adapting to the work content of the project team, mainly including studying materials, following up on testing and data processing, on-site learning at the pilot line, following up on incoming material inspection, probation defense, and following the pilot line.
"Books and Movies I'm Watching"
"The Ten Years in Liangzhuang" by Liang Hong (finished reading); I have previously read the author's "Chronicles of Leaving Liangzhuang," which recorded the lives of Liangzhuang people working outside and presented the difficulties faced by rural people. This book "The Ten Years in Liangzhuang" also mainly presents individual life stories and tells their unique experiences. It also presents Liangzhuang as an organic entity, recording the changes in the village. While reading, I also think of the village where I grew up, which has many similarities to Liangzhuang described by the author. I also listened to Lu Yu's podcast interview with Liang Hong, where they discussed how writing is to preserve the memories of the past people and villages. (Related extension: I want to read another book from the "Liangzhuang Trilogy" called "China in Liangzhuang," and I want to watch a documentary called "Swimming Until the Sea Turns Blue" directed by Jia Zhangke.)
"Living Awake" by Michael Singer (partially read); I was inspired during the reading process on how to perceive the relationship between self and consciousness. "Well, I am not anything in the external world, nor any emotions. These external and internal things come and go, and I am just experiencing them. Also, I am not thoughts themselves. Thoughts can be quiet or noisy, happy or sad. Thoughts are just another thing that I am aware of, but who am I?" "I am the person who is observing the world. I can look out from somewhere behind and be aware of the events, thoughts, and emotions passing in front of me."
"Sex and the City" Season 3 (American TV series); the four of them being together is already great. I started watching from the first season. The topics in each episode are quite progressive, even by today's standards in China. It's amazing how some places and people in the same world have ideas that are years ahead of China. The fashion in the show still looks stylish and not outdated at all, proving that it is a classic. It doesn't feel out of touch when watching it again after more than twenty years. The four female characters in the show have different appearances and personalities. They often have relaxed discussions on various topics, which many people envy. Some topics may be difficult to discuss even among friends, but they can talk about them openly and naturally. They also have an open-minded view on relationships and sexuality (including homosexuality), as well as their perspectives on love and marriage. By the way, the pace of the American TV series is smooth and not dragging. The segments of "street interviews" on various topics in the show are also interesting.
"Poseur's Revelation" (Chinese TV series); it presents the work and life of urban white-collar workers in a down-to-earth manner, and the outfits of the male and female leads are also stylish. When the female lead faces her former boss Wang Lu's pick-up attempts, she curses in her heart but can only respond with a fake smile on the surface. This is a true portrayal of the working class in the workplace. Fortunately, she later meets a good boss. The segment where they burn down a warehouse is quite classic. The male lead's performance is not greasy, and the push and pull between the male and female leads in the early stage is also interesting.
"Riding with Reason" (documentary series); the first season is Wu Lei's vlog on his 22nd birthday trip. Also, Wu Lei's second vlog series, the scenery of Sairimu Lake is beautiful, and the cycling is cool.
"Past Life" (American film); the male lead has some East Asian elements, such as being more reserved in expressing emotions and being influenced by traditional family values. Although the female lead was born in East Asia, she immigrated abroad with her family when she was young and has always pursued self-realization. If they miss each other, they can only move forward. The film also mentions "karma" several times.
Some videos: "How to Make Money from Investments" by Meng Yan; Speech by Ang Lee, Lifetime Achievement Award at the Venice Film Festival for Tony Leung; YouTube channel "Lao Gao and Xiao Mo," two episodes about palm reading and the law of attraction.
"Life Moments"
Weekend: Played badminton on September 4th night; had dinner with a group of four on September 8th and played billiards for the first time. Went shopping with friends on September 9th; went to Wuhan Happy Valley with friends on September 10th (my first time going there too).
National Day holiday: Had paper-wrapped fish and took a stroll with friend WXC on September 29th, then sent him to the train station; went to the hospital for a follow-up and eye examination (dry eye syndrome) on September 30th; met fellow student SL in the afternoon on October 1st and saw a group of people dancing to Korean music. Had dinner and ate Hunan cuisine. Went hiking/climbing Mulan Tianchi with friends on October 2nd, took photos with friends, and had another Hunan cuisine for dinner (satisfying); spent a day in the dormitory on October 3rd, reading books and watching movies; continued reading leisure books on October 4th and hitchhiked with fellow passengers and chatted with the driver (learned about model aircraft).
Alright, that's it for this September life report. See you in the next one (it's almost midnight, I need to send it out quickly and go to sleep).