When I first started going to China 25 years ago, I would walk the streets of whatever city I was in, all day, with a 100-yuan note in my pocket and a card with the address of wherever I was staying, be it in-laws' home or hotel or wherever. The idea was that if I ever got lost or tired, I could just flag down a cab and hand him the bill and the card. I never needed it -- always found my way back on my own -- but it was great to have. I still carry an old 100-yuan note in my wallet, just as a reminder that I can always find home.
Norm, as a fellow Chicagoan I loved "Hoop Dreams" too, but that was 30 years ago. The protagonists came through the public schools, not pay-to-play sports clubs, and one of the key pivot points in the film was when one player's parents couldn't afford the tuition at his dream school and he had to transfer. Today, for young athletes who aren't superstars, it's a different world.
Mark, what a great observation, and I share it as a fellow adoptee of another culture. I have no immediate family of my own -- my closest blood relative is a first cousin in Israel -- so my family is my Chinese, devoutly Buddhist wife and her family members who live with us. I revel in the closeness, the clatter in the kitchen, the group dog-walking, and their chanting. And now that one in our household is facing end-stage cancer, I cherish our togetherness and teamwork. It's a late-in-life gift to my heart. I know they will similarly care for me when my time comes. Incidentally, I too wear a bracelet -- a burgundy-colored rubber one with a Buddhist prayer inscribed by my wife, who makes them and gives them away to everybody. She's convinced it protects my health.
Superb perspective, Mark. To the concepts you mention of gratitude and mindfulness, I would add simple awareness. In the US it's astonishing how many people truly don't know how people in the rest of the world live, how rarely our average lifestyle is found in hugely populated places like India and China and Malaysia. My education in this area began with a day of walking the hutongs of Shanghai, all by myself. I learned more about the real world in 12 hours than I had previously known in my entire life. I will never forget it.
Dan, I've made similar posts here to that exact effect. Sheer fortune of birth circumstance has an enormous impact on how our lives would go. To your additional list I would add family circumstance.
There is nothing to prepare a parent to lose a child, whether they be 2 or 62, and no words of adequate comfort that will help. My heart goes out to June.
Farewell, Jonathan, and thank you. Deepest condolences to Elaine and the entire family. All of us would hope to have loved ones like you for support and comfort in their final hours. Be sure to take good care of yourselves in the grieving process, and take comfort in knowing that Jonathan left a legacy of impact and respect very few can hope to approach. Peace.
Our thoughts are with you. Wishing peace to the entire family. And a special salute to you, Elaine, for your strength and courage in this terrible time. There is no greater gift than to shepherd a loved one through his final stages of life. Be sure to take care of yourself as you take care of your husband.
I turn 70 next year, which means my decision is now 50 years old. Never a single regret. The price I paid was marrying much later in life than most, because it took a long time to find a like-minded woman, but my wife and I still look at each other quite regularly and smile at how fortunate we are to be childless. We have simply found other purposes for our lives.
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When I first started going to China 25 years ago, I would walk the streets of whatever city I was in, all day, with a 100-yuan note in my pocket and a card with the address of wherever I was staying, be it in-laws' home or hotel or wherever. The idea was that if I ever got lost or tired, I could just flag down a cab and hand him the bill and the card. I never needed it -- always found my way back on my own -- but it was great to have. I still carry an old 100-yuan note in my wallet, just as a reminder that I can always find home.
Post: Memories With a Cold Spanish Beer
Link to comment from September 29, 2025
Norm, as a fellow Chicagoan I loved "Hoop Dreams" too, but that was 30 years ago. The protagonists came through the public schools, not pay-to-play sports clubs, and one of the key pivot points in the film was when one player's parents couldn't afford the tuition at his dream school and he had to transfer. Today, for young athletes who aren't superstars, it's a different world.
Post: Throw, hit or kick … it all add$ up
Link to comment from September 28, 2025
Alarm? Oh, yes, I vaguely remember what that was...
Post: Traits of “successful” people
Link to comment from September 28, 2025
Mark, what a great observation, and I share it as a fellow adoptee of another culture. I have no immediate family of my own -- my closest blood relative is a first cousin in Israel -- so my family is my Chinese, devoutly Buddhist wife and her family members who live with us. I revel in the closeness, the clatter in the kitchen, the group dog-walking, and their chanting. And now that one in our household is facing end-stage cancer, I cherish our togetherness and teamwork. It's a late-in-life gift to my heart. I know they will similarly care for me when my time comes. Incidentally, I too wear a bracelet -- a burgundy-colored rubber one with a Buddhist prayer inscribed by my wife, who makes them and gives them away to everybody. She's convinced it protects my health.
Post: From Rakhi to Community: Lessons in Family for the Humble Dollar Family
Link to comment from September 26, 2025
Superb perspective, Mark. To the concepts you mention of gratitude and mindfulness, I would add simple awareness. In the US it's astonishing how many people truly don't know how people in the rest of the world live, how rarely our average lifestyle is found in hugely populated places like India and China and Malaysia. My education in this area began with a day of walking the hutongs of Shanghai, all by myself. I learned more about the real world in 12 hours than I had previously known in my entire life. I will never forget it.
Post: The 1% Club: Our Unnoticed Wealth
Link to comment from September 26, 2025
Dan, I've made similar posts here to that exact effect. Sheer fortune of birth circumstance has an enormous impact on how our lives would go. To your additional list I would add family circumstance.
Post: The 1% Club: Our Unnoticed Wealth
Link to comment from September 26, 2025
There is nothing to prepare a parent to lose a child, whether they be 2 or 62, and no words of adequate comfort that will help. My heart goes out to June.
Post: Farewell Friends
Link to comment from September 23, 2025
Farewell, Jonathan, and thank you. Deepest condolences to Elaine and the entire family. All of us would hope to have loved ones like you for support and comfort in their final hours. Be sure to take good care of yourselves in the grieving process, and take comfort in knowing that Jonathan left a legacy of impact and respect very few can hope to approach. Peace.
Post: Farewell Friends
Link to comment from September 23, 2025
Our thoughts are with you. Wishing peace to the entire family. And a special salute to you, Elaine, for your strength and courage in this terrible time. There is no greater gift than to shepherd a loved one through his final stages of life. Be sure to take care of yourself as you take care of your husband.
Post: Jonathan and website update
Link to comment from September 21, 2025
I turn 70 next year, which means my decision is now 50 years old. Never a single regret. The price I paid was marrying much later in life than most, because it took a long time to find a like-minded woman, but my wife and I still look at each other quite regularly and smile at how fortunate we are to be childless. We have simply found other purposes for our lives.
Post: Ten Frugal Habits
Link to comment from September 18, 2025