27/3

Had the by far best Chinese lesson. First we were led to the multi-media learning centre. We, as a routine, turned on the computers and were about to start a massacre. Yet this time things were barely routine. As soon as a nude appeared on the screen, we all decided to turn our eyes away from the computers. The nude was from a mainlander holding a banner walking round the city nakedly. At once, everyone burst into prolonged laughter. Then came a more violate massacre called the "PK competition", with a professor strongly against the act versus a celebrity of the mass media (or what'd-you-call-him) supporting it. The topic revolved around the nude, growing to fame and life. It was the first time I have ever experienced the art of speech. They fired at each other in an almost automatic fashion and their words were, to everyone's astonishment, amazingly forceful and to the point and sometimes of a good sense of humour. The professor also displayed his outstanding knowledge in linguistics and stunned the hostile studio audience embroiled. Meanwhile, we could do nothing but laugh and applaud. Some of us even ended up shedding tears of laughter. By the end of the program, the "nude possessor" showed up. He said something like, "For twenty-four years I have followed the trend. I studied though I didn't feel like studying. Gradually, I felt I hadn't live life fully. I felt I had never lived. So I quitted school and jotted down my life's ups and downs, published a book. I felt much happier. Then I decided to go further, running round nakedly, which makes me even more blissful now. Believe me, if ou follow the trend but not your own will, you are never gonna be happy." At any rate his courage is admirable.

Been to a funeral that night. Having to play some hymns, I wore a formal suit. When it ended, mommy decided to dine with the chatty aunties. I didn't want to socialize at all, so I just walked to a nearby McDonalds for dinner. I was too tired to realize the conflict between my suit and the occassion. People stared at me. I just hate being stared and hoped the ground swallowed me.

28/3

Perfect weather. Went straight home after school to practise the piano. I didn't play exceptionally bad yet was lectured for fifteen minutes on some stereotypes. As a matter of fact, I didn't have to plod along the notes, but that was more than could be said for the lesson. Indeed, m teacher has made a good one. He catches every petty mistake in my playing and his demonstrations are undoubtedly professional. However, he asssigns pieces that are a wee bit too easy for me, and of little wowwing effect on audience. That's why I seldom practise the pieces. Alas, he has way underestimated me, which I vow to prove to him someday.

29/3

Staring at the mirror, I could barely recognize the person standing before me, his eyes outlined by shiner, face by pimples...