Growler's Random Thoughts...

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I've taken the next step on my quest to become fluent in Mandarin Chinese.

In addition to joining several Meetup groups I now take part in a language exchange with a friend who is a native speaker. Basically, I teach her English and she teaches me Chinese.

It's a great arrangement and flexes a set a muscles I haven't used since teaching English in China in 2004. The best part about it is I'm finally getting my head around basic Chinese grammar which has eluded me until now.

I first started learning Chinese in 2000 and have been doing it on and off since then. I've forgotten more than I can remember so this daily, two hour language exchange is a blessing in disguise.

I've discovered that I learn and perform better when I work with others than in solo efforts. So I'm looking to seek more collaborations with people in my other goals.

To sum up, I can truly say that if you continue on the path towards your goals and dreams, opportunities will present themselves to you.

Just be ready to grab them!

I saw Twilight the movie and I was blown away by the sincerity of it all and the sheer creativity of the film.

The story and plot were beautifully simple and all the actors were amazing. A definite 7 out of 10 from me.

I want to let this one speak for itself so here's a trailer for it below.

Twilight Trailer in HD

The very recent birth of my beautiful niece was a great occasion and a cause for celebration and reflection.

Becoming an uncle is a wonderful feeling, as is seeing a new life entering the world and I'm always amazed at how tiny in general babies are when holding them.

This whole experience has got me thinking, preparing and making plans of my own in the future. I'm single at the moment of writing but, with my future wife, I do intend to start a family and I'm looking forward to it.

Being a positive guiding influence can only be a good thing and sharing your life with people you love and who love you is, I feel, the best recipe for happiness.

I've recently discovered the amazing resource 'Start Your Business' and it's great to check out for the motivational tips and secrets of success that it contains.

Successful entrepreneurs are just some of the people who inspire me with their constant positivity and their 'never give up' attitude.

Well worth a look!

Coming soon...

Barack Obama has become the 44th President of the United States by a landslide.

Using hard work, perserverance, a great team around him and self belief to achieve that position. The unique position of being able to help others on a massive scale.

Inspiring millions throughout the world. You can achieve your goals and dreams if you never give up and work hard!

The message of hope and change has been a powerful one. A positive outcome that I find exciting and motivational.

All good stuff!

On the day of America's General Election where the nation chooses it's next president, the world will be watching.

I've been impressed by the stories and journeys of both Barack Obama and Sarah Palin.

It has been an extraordinary campaign and historic in many ways. Change is always essential in all walks of life to prevent things getting stale and stagnant.

It's important to vote to make your voice heard. I've always voted in UK elections and I encourage you to do the same. In fact, I'm looking to join a political party for the first time, based around my personal values.

This site is non-political but I, of course, have political views and my politics are centre left.

Whoever wins the US Election nothing will be the same again.

Barriers have been broken and people can see that any dream that you have can be achieved through hard work and self belief. There'll be a little less negativity and cynism around which is a great thing.

At it's heart, politics is all about helping people, and that's something we can all engage in.

Keep stimulating progress as the way to pursue and achieve your goals.

Always embrace change!

So, Lewis Hamilton has become the youngest winner of a Grand Prix Formula One Championship.

What a fantastic result!

It just goes to show that nothing succeeds like success. All those years of hard work, determination and positive attitude have paid off handsomely.

A lesson for us all, I think.

Never give up on your goals and dreams!

Ok, I'm a bit of a superhero fan as you might of noticed. An interesting crossover of sorts is being released in videogame format. Mortal Kombat Vs DC Universe.

The DC Universe features characters including Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman.

This is a quite a unique match up as you'll see from the trailer below.

Enjoy...

...the One Eyed Man is King!

Extraordinary times are upon us.

In this global financial turmoil one thing that is guaranteed to restore calm is education.

Learning the cold, hard facts from the experts.

I've put together a series of links which comment on the situation and provide a great insight. These things happen in cycles and stability and confidence will return in time.

Check out these links to learn more.

It's important to remember that creativity can flourish, even in times like these.

After all, Walt Disney's Mickey Mouse was born from the Great Depression and, from there, more characters emerged to entertain the world.

Keep positive.

Deep in the midst of the Credit Crunch, I have just witnessed one of the funniest things I have ever seen in my life.

The creativity used in advertising is always innovative and amazing.

Haven't laughed so much since, well, the last time I laughed so much.

Just check out below and see for yourself.

The Making of Star Wars by J W Rinzler.

It's hard to believe that Star Wars first came out in 1977! This was the Sci-fi/fantasy film that changed movies for good and invented the blockbuster.

The beauty about the film is that the story has aged superbly. You can watch it today and see that it competes well with the current crop of sci-fi/fantasy films, if not bettering them.

I love the film and the universe that George Lucas and his team created and brought to life.

This book basically accounts the time leading up to the film and includes interviews and letters written by the cast and crew at the time.

It's a fantasic insight into the creative process and I was particulary inspired by Lucas's work ethic of sitting down to write from 9 to 5 no matter what. Deadlines and structure really help you to keep on track and finish your work.

The rest, as they say, is history.

I'm enjoying the read and it covers the years 1969 to 1977. Great stuff from the some of the experts of creativity.

I attended the London Chinese language meetup group for the first time in two years.

I didn't know quite what to expect but wasn't disappointed. Arrived early and there was another attendee present, a native Mandarin speaker. We got talking and gradually others arrived. It was nice to practise my Mandarin and see the levels of other non-native speakers.

There was a broad mix of begineers and fluent experts and I could see I have a way to go but I will perservere. There was at least 30 people there so managed to make quite a few new contacts.

Will definitely attend regularly now in an effort to meet more people and learn more.

It's well worth checking out.

Massive traffic greeted me at Parliament Square on the way to my first Mandarin Chinese meetup session. Arrived half an hour late but was just happy to get there.

Three other members were there, two experienced speakers and one beginner. It was fantastic to speak Mandarin and clear out the rust.

I have to say I'm getting ok with understanding and conducting basic conversations, but I want to increase my vocabulary and have a wider range of topics to talk about. I'm amazed to hear different people's holiday experiences in China and learning the language.

There is a passion that I can relate to that is nice to share. This was the first of three separate Mandarin meetup groups that I'll be attending monthly to get my language skills up and running.

The end goal is to be fluent and I find I learn better with people than by studying alone.

Upwards and onwards!

So the credit crunch has further to bite.

Big institutions are falling in its wake. Fear and panic are on the streets. A time of austerity. And yet, this is a time to learn.

Economic downturns always happen in cycles.

The cycle may be long but it will always return. This also means that the upturn and the good times will return too. These things are long term events.

We will all have to ride out the current turbulence which could be up at least two more years. What can we learn from this?

Save and invest for the long term.

These are the times when the people who have been saving can now look to buy investments on the cheap. A transfer of wealth will occur.

It's a good time to learn all the financial terms and vocabulary that we hear on the news. That is the start of re-educating ourselves and making ourselves stronger. We all learn from our mistakes and that is always the best way.

Even in business where failure can mean going bust and selling assets on the cheap.

Bad news is always painful to hear but it is crucial to know the brutal facts so we can make informed decisions about our future.

The key thing is to learn and get stronger. So we'll be better prepared for the next time. I'm going through a major period of change myself.

Past lessons learned have greatly heightened the excitement and lessened the fear. I feel more able to bounce through it to embrace the opportunities.

Learning new things is a bit like learning to ride a bicycle. After a while stumbling you get the hang of it. And when you learn it, you never forget.

It's always better to be a long term investor.

The Mid-Autumn Festival in China is upon us once more so I'd like to wish all my friends there 'Zhong Qiu Jie Kuai Le' (Happy Mid Autumn Festival).

It's traditional there to meet up with family, watch the moon and share mooncakes.

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