something to complain
Recently there are so many things which run against what I have expected. Annoying!!!!! Talked to my roommate last weekend. He said his gf was making the plan for the next whole year. I said I once used to do the same thing. But later I found my plan was just a plan. I couldn't fulfill each item on my plan which made me feel bad. So I have lived in a nonplanned situation for several year. I said I don't trust statistics or stochastic, but I have to admit that life is stochastic. You never know what will happen next. Roomie agreed but told me it is still a good thing to make plan in order to know your daily life much better. However, recent stuffs again double proved that life is a stochastic process. Plan is useless. What ppl need is stochastic control. Changing your plan more frequently and efficiently is a key to live peacefully. Two years ago, I had similar situation as today. I changed but took me almost a whole year. Now shall I take another year to do the second transition? This time there will be much more difficulties and obstacles if I want to change myself again. Talked to old friends, supervisors and they said all is due to myself that I am too nice. Actually that is not nice but "YU1" in Chinese. Two years ago I left Singapore to find a new environment to change myself. Now am I looking for another place to finish the second transition? UCLA might be good place. At least there I may find professors and students doing what I dream to do: PDE, Wavelet, Imaging...... At least I can try to work with Tony.
Math@Stanford
I hesitate to say but this is the truth: falling of Stanford Math. Dept. People may say I am to pessimistic. Well, look at the department now. Is there any applied mathematician there? The real young energetic applied mathematician. The answer is NO. Look at the faculty list: there are 3 new Szego Assistant professors in the department but actually they are in some postdoc track. They can at most be a co-supervisor. However, the problem is that students have difficulty to find the principal supervisor because now there is only one professor who is working on applied math. He is Papanicola. I do not count in Dembo and Diaconis since they have position in Statistics and are there most of the time. Levy will leave soon. He does really good research; he can get the tenure at Stanford. But he cannot find many cooperation and collaborators. He has to go. Tai-ping is almost leaving now. He goes back to Taiwan and is only at Stanford during the winter quarter. All the remaining professors are working on those algebra, geometry, topology, number theory and bla bla. I in nature do not treat the pure math a lot since those things won't bring people too much profit as applied math. They are some toys which can only be owed by a few bunch of people. Even those professors who are working on pure math are not very famous or active nowadays. Most of them are over 60 or even over 70. People say math at Stanford can only rank as a department in some second level universities at most. I totally agree. The weather is always cloudy. Is that because the falling of once prominent department over the world? And could CME develop well enough to keep the best ranking of applied math at Stanford? No one knows. But Tai-ping once said there are a lot of famous mathematicians at Stanford; however a lot of them are not with math department. They would continue promoting math at Stanford. And I think it is also a great time for CME to run forward, to let the university notice that what the faulty it is not to have applied math/scientific computing department at Stanford, to notice the bad of not supporting students working on applied science which is the real useful thing for the world.
GSC-Vaden-306B
Failed in election of GSC but as what I am it bothered me nothing; however, the friends all felt strange. Even though i cannot be a voting member, i still join that to be a member and spend the funds to grab whatever food i want to try. Yes, I am a Food Czar of GSC. Some ppl do complain about the food provided previous year. They never know the complexity of ordering food and how waste of time this work is. I will serve them something bad in the very beginning and later on they will know how good the food I will serve later.
As years pass, I am too old to keep healthy with little sleep. Got ill since the mid of February. I though i was recovered around mid March and hence headed to the east. But after I came back, I started coughing again which has lasted for almost a month. Yesterday, I finally couldn't stay up any more and went to vaden. Check-in at 2:05pm puncturally, and got out of the clinic at 3:00pm, the longest time I have ever spent in a clinic/hospital. Good news is that there shouldn't be anything wrong with my lung. I don't get a TB. The bad news is that my heart may go wrong. Doctor doesn't know exactly how bad my heart is now. They gave me ECG/EKG, X-ray, blood/urine test and finally helped me make an appointment in the Stanford Hospital. The staff from Stanford Hospital strongly recommend me to see a doctor in CardiVascular department and have full check of my "weak" heart. This time I really felt bad not because I am afraid of getting something wrong of my heart but I am really unsatisfied about my health. A person practicing so much as me gets something wrong on the heart. Ridiculous. This is the truth however. My heart beat is always around 89 to 96 which was only 65 for sure before. Suggestions from doctor are exercising, rest, and drinking more liquid. The appointment of the hospital is on May 11th. Let's see what the things will turn out at that time.
Though heart beats quickly, still need to finish the homework. I take stats306b this quarter and need to use R to do the programming problems. Never touch R before and feel it extremely uncomfortable to use. R just doesn't follow the standard language form. Or maybe I have been using Matlab for too many years (7 or 8 anniversary?). Asked several other people, who all don't vote for R. This time I manipulated some data and have the homework turned in. Still have 2 more to "cheat". Actually, this section of statistics is really like "fake" science. People generate a lot of methods, ideas and run them over simulated data and try to beat others with even 0.1% enhancement of the result. It just makes me remember what Prof. Shen told me before. Those results/papers are useless. No one will read them but everyone will use that to get tenure.
This Saturday might go to beach w/ friends but not sure since not in good shape. I have to start exercising again each day, tennis, jogging, swimming, dancing... May do hiking, camping some time. Any other suggestions?
Talk
Haven't written anything for quite a long time since last ... well I cannot remember the exact time. I may still owe something to my friends which is about the trip to Thailand and South Korea. Have to say sorry to those ppl since that is the story long long ago. Starting today, I will resume and have record of everyday's funny things.
2006年8月最新版大陆极品顺口溜
再网上看到，贴过来。开学了，要选方向了，还是在徘徊，毕竟还有点放不下数学。暑期游记我会慢慢补上，当然还有考qual感言。
这年头，完美的人生就是住英国的房子，戴瑞士手表，拿美国工资，娶韩国女人，嫖俄罗斯女人，开德国轿车，喝法国红酒，雇菲律宾女佣，做*的官！
这年头，苦干实干，做给天看；东混西混，一帆风顺；任劳任怨，永难如愿；会捧会献，杰出贡献；尽职尽责，必遭指责；推托栽赃，邀功领赏！
这年头，男人的小康就是有一所像样的小房，有一辆时尚的小车，有一笔吃喝的小钞，有一位顾家的小太，有一门管用的小“炮”，有一群擦炮的小蜜！
这年头，为官之道就是为领导干一百件好事也不如与领导一起干一件坏事，领导带你一起干了一件坏事那肯定有一百件好事等着你！
这年头，说河南人诈骗，广东人笑了；说河南人造假，浙江人笑了；说河南人斤斤计较，上海人笑了；说河南人夸夸其谈，北京人笑了；说河南人傻，诸葛亮笑了！
这年头，海关数学等式为：专家+实干=白忙；立正+稍息=管理；唱歌+跳舞=业务；听话+擦鞋=能力；大话+做秀=成绩；年龄+糊涂=可靠；军龄+关龄= 任用。
这年头，海关实现了十化：关长贵族化，关员奴隶化，考核经常化，上班日夜化，加班无偿化，挨训习惯化，晋升内定化，检查形式化，待遇渲染化，加薪？ *** 神话！
这年头，请看新纤夫的爱：党委坐船头，政府在岸上走，人大一步一回头，政协晃悠悠，工会泪往心里流，团委只盼日落西山头，好把妇联亲个够！
这年头，河南人好生郁闷：好不容易有座山，却是平顶山；好不容易有家酒店，却是驻马店；好不容易想结婚，自己却洛了“阳”；好不容易找个老婆，却被人家开了“封”！
这年头，接听电话声音渐渐小对方是领导，声音渐渐大对方是部下，一听就发燥对方拨错号，笑得不停歇那是女同学，半天哼一下老婆在训话，悄悄避开人对方是情人！
这年头，当官也不容易：体质弱的累死，心胸窄的气死，智商低的悉死，胆量小的吓死，酒量小的喝死，性欲差的羞死，性欲强的那可真是舒服死！
这年头，教育好子女是生命延续的重要代表，理顺好领导安排好部下是权力重要代表，办好朋友的事是人生价值的重要代表！
这年头，人有钱有时间有个好身体，绝品；人有钱无病无时间，珍品；人无钱无病有时间，上品；人无钱无病无时间，次品；人无钱无时间有脾气，废品！
这年头，警察接到五条禁令：禁止和美女睡觉兴奋致死！禁止和情人睡觉醉生梦死！禁止和丑女睡觉烦躁致死！禁止和小姐睡觉劳累致死！禁止和老婆睡觉整夜装死！
这年头，干部素质要求你：心中有小平，袋中有文凭，对上能摆平，对下能铲平，道德没水平，金库能填平，左手拿酒瓶，右手握药瓶，家里有醋瓶，外面有花瓶！
这年头，构建和谐社会要注意在自然界不要和天斗，在国际社会不要和美国斗，在路上不要和军车斗，在单位不要和领导斗，在家里不要和老婆斗！
这年头，听说要去打台湾，一老红军把计献：派三万人马足矣：派一万小姐过去把他奶奶的国军身体搞垮，派一万河南老乡过去把他娘的经济搞乱，派一万领导干部过去把 *** 国库折腾干！
这年头，十类人不宜做大官：1胆小，2话多，3钱少，4关系差，5酒量小，6才华横溢，7学历太高，8疾恶如仇，9性功能差， 10 有姿色不肯献身。
这年头，开展批评太难了：批评老婆她就乱跑，批评老公他就乱搞！批评上级就官位难保，批评同级就关系难搞，批评自己就自寻烦恼，批评下级就选票减少！
这年头，各级领导虽然都位高权重但对群众要求还是蛮关心的。凡男人求领导办事，领导都会热情地说：你怎么不提钱（前）来讲嘛！凡女人求领导办事，领导总是推托说：我很忙，“日”后再说！
这年头，喝酒像喝汤，此人是工商；喝酒不用劝，工作在法院；举杯一口干，必定是公安；八两都不醉，这人是国税；起步就一斤，准是解放军！
这年头，老婆是家情人是花，工资给家奖金送花，病了回家好了看花，离不了的是家忘不了的是花，常回家看看别忘了浇花！
这年头，女人的基本配置是：身边站个魁梧的，怀里搂个功夫的，家里待个赚钱的，远方有个思念的，梦里藏个初恋的，偶尔来个温柔的，老了混个懂保健的。
这年头，男人认为情人是手表越漂亮越好，小蜜是怀表越隐秘越好，小姐是电子表越新鲜越好，老婆是自动表不上弦照样跑，各种表都想要只是时间要掌握好！
这年头，到处都是错别字：植树造零，白收起家，勤捞致富，选霸干部，任人为闲，择油录取，得财兼币，检查宴收，大力支吃，为民储害，提钱释放，攻官小姐。
这年头，党政干部十大特征：一请就到，一喝就高，一捧就傲，一求就敲，一给就捞，一脱就要，一累就叫，一批就跳，一查就倒！
这年头，干部是这样死的：天天开会坐死，领导高调哄死，民主评论整死，事事汇报烦死，择优提拔骗死，混蛋同僚害死，上级检查累死，工资差别气死，老婆年轻累死！
解放军的工资如果翻四倍可以打美国，翻三倍可以打日本，翻两倍可以打台湾，翻一倍可以回家打老婆，目前的工资回家只能被老婆打！
李敖带进凤凰卫视的大陆歪诗：
贫穷——白天 没吃的，晚上没日的。
温饱——白天 有吃的，晚上有日的。
小康——白天挑着 吃，晚上挑着日。
富裕——想吃啥就吃啥，想日谁就日谁。
成圣——想吃，可以不吃，想日，可以不日。
成仙——想吃，看人吃，想日，看人日。
斯坦福大学春节联欢会音乐小品短剧
大半年前的事情了，DVD也做好了有四个月了，一直没有正式发布出来。现在大家可以在下面的地址下载转压缩之后的版本，少排砖多提点宝贵意见。
ftp://128.12.142.61/
马尔代夫游记
本来应该从泰国行开始写起，不过考虑到近来有多位友人要结婚并去蜜月旅行，而马尔代夫从度假胜地角度而言其地位显然要高于作为旅游胜
地的泰国高很多。特别说明一点，度假同旅游是完全不同的两个概念，原因嘛我会在稍后说明。而且作为国内炒作最热的新马泰旅行套餐，只
能把旅行变成时间紧促的三国走马观花，建议是自己去自助游，花费还会相对少一些，而其中的乐趣同新奇感也会更多。这些在稍后的游记中
将会详细介绍给大家。
去马尔代夫已经计划了很长时间了。最早的意向是在04年11月份，不成想那一年忙着申请又遇到了印度洋大海啸，俺没有李连杰的功夫还好没
去。其后在今年四月份新加坡飞兄到美国访问我期间，又旧事重提，还得到飞兄，老刘的支持，故敲定在7月中旬到马尔达夫一游。
在7月9日参加完毕业典礼之后立刻同飞兄试着联系酒店。马尔代夫是一个岛国，由1190个小珊瑚岛构成，分布于北纬7度至南纬0度。在众多岛
屿之中，只有201个有人居住，之中又有87个被开发成了旅游胜地。在这些岛中国人常去也是国内代理经常作的几个酒店（在马尔代夫一个岛就
是一个酒店，通常以岛的名字来命名酒店）是拉古娜岛Laguna，蜜月岛Meeru，满月岛Full Moon，天堂岛Paradise，希尔顿岛Hilton。其中希
尔顿是超豪华的度假胜地，价格极其昂贵，并非平常人可以随意消费得起。
http://destinations.ctrip.com/Destinations/RegionDestinations.asp?Region=72订酒店是第一步。这个一定要早定，否则会使得旅途相当仓促。我们这次就是订酒店太晚，使得一开始行程相当的被动。这次我们是自助游，
机票在No2go上订好，然后去酒店预订网站订酒店。由于去马尔代夫是落地签证，也就是在入境的时候由海关官员给你签证，而无需提前申请签
证入境。而马尔代夫海关授予签证的一个必要条件便是你有马尔代夫酒店的预定证明（reservation confirmation），否则将不会被授予签证
，从而无法入境。马尔代夫无需提前申请签证的确给大家提供了方便（主要是几乎无据签），但是中国现在出境的一个要求便是中国公民一定
要有去一个第三国家的签证，因此单凭一张空白护照是无法从中国海关出关的。一个解决方法便是申请一个去新加坡的签证，这个相当容易，
可以直接去新加坡移民局网站去在线申请
http://app.ica.gov.sg/index.asp。这个稍后再谈。
酒店的预定如果不通过代理，可以从以下代网络代理来预定：
http://www.mal-dives.com/http://www.hoteltravel.com/maldives/index.htmhttp://www.maldiveshotelstravel.com/行：从第一个网站可以查到在每一个岛都有些什么活动，并不是每个岛屿都提供全面的活动。而且也不是每个岛都提供从机场到酒店的交通，一般
快船speedboat要100，水上飞机seaplane要200。夜晚要相应加价。机场就是一个小岛，出机场就是海关，出示出入境单（飞机上会发）酒店预
订确认同护照即可拿到签证。机场外面便是码头，有各家酒店的reception desk。酒店会负责接待客人，并送至去酒店的船/飞机上。
住:价格还同选定的宾馆类型有关，建在海面上的水上屋自然是很贵的，其次是建在海岸边的房子，最差得就如我们入住的建在内陆的小屋子，如
同工棚一样，即使如此要价也在260/3人每晚。大家可以选择搭配来住，譬如住几天水上屋再调到其他类型的房子里。由于各个岛屿面积都十分
小，即使住在所谓的内陆的房子里，走到海边也不会超过5分钟。住水上屋的一个优势是附近十分适合潜浮，再就是那种打开房门便见到大海的
感觉，真的十分棒，尽管本人没能亲自体会过，但我们却在水上屋附近进行了很多次的潜浮，那里的鱼真的不少，还看到了大大的海鳗，像蟒
蛇一样，满吓人的。
吃：我们在蜜月岛选定的是Full-board，也就是早中晚三餐全包，但是不包饮品。早餐有矿泉水同果汁供应，中餐与晚餐如果要饮品就要另外付费
了。我们采取的办法是中餐与晚餐不要饮品（没办法，学生要省钱），而是喝汤。汤是西餐里的汤，如果喝不惯就只能叫水喝了。要一瓶饮用
水，如果无法一次用完，waiter会帮你保存起来，在你下次吃饭的时候再给你拿出来。我们反正在7天之内没要过一次水，后来waiter都懒得问
我们了，自然服务业就不是那么热情，盘子换得也不是那么积极，当然小费我们也就绝对不会给的。不过吃的饭菜还是真的超赞的。三餐全部
是西餐自助，在岛上生活的7天里面，没有一餐的饭菜是重复的，真是服了做饭的大厨。都称得上是顶级的西餐饭菜，早餐以水果，奶类制品，
各式面包为主，配以煎蛋等自选菜；午餐与晚餐提供多种主食，如炒饭（7天吃了十四种），意大利面，烤鱼，牛羊排等等，加上多种开胃菜，
各式甜品，绝对是大饱口福。如果说是遗憾，那便是我们应当选取All-inclusive package。这样的话在岛上面喝什么都是免费的，还附送几项
活动。我们也是后来才发现了这个package的好处，而且发现老外们几乎百分之一百的都选了这个package。
活动：主要活动有以下几项，几乎每个岛都有提供，但还是要仔细查询一下酒店的介绍，以进一步确认活动的availability:
1 黄昏海钓SUNSET FISHING
2 浮潜Kuda Bandos Snorkelling
3 浮潜Reef Snorkelling
4 首都马累游Male’s Ferry
5 帆船Catamaran Sailing
6 列岛游（4个岛）Island Hopping(full day)，含餐
7 列岛游（2个岛）Island Hopping(half day)，不含餐
8 清晨海钓Sunrise Fishing
9 海豚之旅sunset dolphin cruise
10 体验水肺潜水（一小时）（至少4人成行）
11 玻璃底船glass bottom boat rides（2人）
12 潜水（包括理论学习，练习和真正下潜）Diving ~ PADI certification
13 帆板Windsurfing,基础课程
14 Windsurfing出租
15 水上飞机及浮潜一日游sunrise picnic(by Sea Plane)
16 水上飞机摄影之旅Photo Flight(by Sea Plane)
17 独木舟
18 摩托艇
19 香蕉船
20 印度洋看日落
21 乒乓球，Foosball，pool
22 Big Game fishing, Castman fishing
有些活动有参加人数的限制，譬如必须4人成行，10人成行等等，还有些活动受限于天气条件，如海钓浮潜等。参加各种活动不用当时付费，只
需写下房间号码和人数。可以在酒店前台的大厅登记，一般会有各种表格来填写。退房结账的时候，会有一份清单，列出你参加的所有活动，
最后统一结账。因此办理一张国际信用卡是一个不错的选择，可以省去随身携带过多现金的不便之处（还是要准备好几张1美元的散钞，要付给
替你搬运行李和打扫卫生的人员）。
总的来说，马尔代夫真的是一个度假的必选之处，更是蜜月旅行的天堂。湛蓝的海水天空真的使人流连忘返。晚上如果幸运的话还可以看到流
行（我们三个大男人就看到了几次，晕）。每天即使是做一下近海潜浮，躺在海边晒晒太阳也是非常之享受。七天下来我都快变成黑人了。本
以为我们算得上是岛上居住时间长的来客，同一个工作人员攀谈之后才知道，通常游客们都是在岛上住一个月左右，我们在岛上的时间就实在
是太短了。听了之后我们三人不得不惊叹于欧洲游客的富足（每周来的人比较少，大部分是欧洲来的，因此饭菜也是欧式西餐），不得不暗下
决心努力工作赚钱争取再来几次，到其他岛上看一看。
