Overseas Chinese Web Guide

Whenever I read any negative news articles about China, I don’t see a society too different from the one we celebrate in America. From a business, legal and political perspective, some analysts may contend that America and China are polar opposites. But, that is not the case. In fact, we are traveling along the same path. The difference is that China is a few steps behind. That’s all.

So, the latest episode involves the use of melamine by Chinese manufacturers in animal feed. That and the occasional mass food poisonings of humans that occur in China but do not garner as much press as when American dogs and cats get ill. Well, we’ll just have to wait for China’s Upton Sinclair to write a Chinese version of The Jungle.

Our feelings were never mutual. The first time I received your unsolicited IM, I politely clicked “Decline.” I was just being sensitive and didn’t want to hurt your feelings. But, you didn’t get the message. Perhaps, you were coached by some marketer to show some perseverance. Surely, I would come around. But, I didn’t. However, your invitations still came…and were left unanswered. Then, I tried to “Block” you. But, you had no clue. You ignored my “Block.” Perhaps, if you tried harder, you must have thought. You did not realize that your insistence was what drove me further away. Now, I have grown to detest AIM Pages, even though I have never given it a try, just because of you aimpagesinvite. If you had respected my initial request instead of repeatedly stalking me and sending unsolicited messages, we would not have come to this stage. How many more times will I have to “Decline” or “Block” you before you realize that there is no future between us?

Palo Alto Online reported that the city utility will be raising water rates.

The commission also recommended raising water rates by 10 percent to generate $2.2 million. A fixed charge of $5 per residence and more for businesses would also be added that is not based on water usage, according to a staff report. Additional money is needed because less water is being used due to efficiency and the loss of large customers. Supply, operating and staff costs continue to increase, however, according to the staff report.

So, if you use a lot of water, your rates will go up. And, if you conserve water, your rates will still go up. Either way, you’ll end up paying more. So, the next time they send you a flyer about conservation, you know where to file it.

Even with GasBuddy.com showing me the lowest priced gasoline in my area, I still rang up a $70 charge. That’s the most I’ve ever paid for a tank of gas. And, while gas prices do fluctuate up-and-down, the general trend is up, up and away. I don’t think we’ll be returning to 99¢/gallon gas any time soon, if ever. In 15 years, when I’m paying $200 per tank, unless cars aren’t using gas at that point, I’ll recall the Spring of 2007 when I only paid $70 per tank and wish for the days of $3/gallon gas.

A typical tour of China passes through the major cities of Beijing and Shanghai with excursions to Xian and Guilin. Even if you’ve taken several trips to China, you probably have never seen some of the sights and sounds found in KQED’s Soundscape of China.

Here are some of the highlights:

• Muslim prayers at a mosque in Kashgar, Xinjiang
• Women inmates sing at a Re-education Through Labor Camp outside Beijing
• Matron singing at an orphanage in Jiazuo City, Henan
• Buddhist monks chanting at Jokhang Temple, Lhasa, Tibet

The problem with living in a desirable location is that everyone else wants to live there as well. Of course, when you visit open houses on the weekend, everything looks great because you never see the grinding traffic that slows down all surrounding commute lanes during the weekday. So, if you are thinking of moving to a new location, check out traffic conditions on Google Maps during your typical commuting hours and see if the drive to and from your new house to work is even manageable.

If you are thinking about immigrating to the United States or moving within the United States, you are probably aware that housing prices vary from region to region. Fortunately, Coldwell Banker offers a Home Price Comparison Index, which allows you to see what an equivalent house in 4 different regions will cost. First, set the market value of house in a region you are familiar with. Then, select three other markets.

Coldwell Banker told met that a $1,000,000 house in Palo Alto, CA is similar to a $438,000 house in Queens, NY, a $187,000 house in Phoenix, AZ and a $218,000 house in Las Vegas, NV.

Expectant fathers and mothers are often told that it’s never too early to start saving for college. Unless they have an unusually precocious child, most parents have 18 years to accumulate enough savings to pay for college expenses. Then again, if their child is unusually precocious, maybe a free ride on an academic scholarship is in the future.

However, no one really warns newlyweds that it’s never too early to start saving for day care or preschool. Depending on the choices availabe in your area, day care or preschool can be quite expensive, as in more expensive than tuition at a public university.

For the 2006-2007 academic year, UC Berkeley assesses $3,899.75 per semester for undergraduates who are California residents. Double that for the entire academic year and a college-bound parent is paying $7,799.50.

Challenger School, in comparison, charges annual prepaid tuition for five all-day preschool of $14,905 and all-day kindergarten of $10,087. And, parents don’t have 18 years to save up for this sum.