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Vietnam's currency is the đồng. Its symbol is "₫".

The Four Great Classical Novels of China are Journey to the West (西遊記, Xī Yóu Jì), Romance of the Three Kingdoms (三國演義, Sānguó Yǎnyì), Water Margin (水滸傳, Shuǐhǔ Zhuàn), and Dream of the Red Chamber (紅樓夢, Hóng Lóu Mèng).

One of my interesting friends is Don, who hails from Xiānggǎng. We two while away long nights at a wonton teahouse, as we talk about sci-fi and esoteric philosophy.

David, a friend who hails from Xiānggǎng, talks freely and wants to be more sexually adventurous. He is from an aristocratic family.

My friend Steve in university was muscular, but not bulky. He hailed from Xiānggǎng, but mostly grew up in North America. He was an enthusiast of the Japanese language and listened to J-pop whenever he could. His dream came true when he met a Japanese girl and eventually married her.

My friend Glen in university was from a family from Xiānggǎng. He was a chubby fellow and liked badminton. His favourite foreign language was French.

In Grade 5, my first class in North America, as I was from the Philippines, my classmate Stanley became a close friend. He had a red spot on each of his cheeks. He adored speculative fiction, as I did. His family was from Xiānggǎng, if I remember correctly.

One of my favourite things about India is the visionary city of Auroville, created in the 1960s. I wish that China and other countries would aspire to create more visionary cities. I am aware of the Paris-copycat city of Tiāndūchéng in China, complete with the replica of the Eiffel Tower. Fantastic! With 3D printing and AI, city builders around this world will be able to produce more marvellous cities in the future. Imagine that builders will more cheaply opt for Art Nouveau-style architecture and, of course, Metamodernist work. (Art Nouveau is one of my favourite movements.)

The analysis of gender in religion or spirituality is an esoteric theme. I for one am attracted to Buddhism, because of its masculine viewpoint about reality. Buddhists accept prevailing discontent as a condition of this illusory world, the Māyā hiding true reality, but paradoxically, they promote equanimous joy. They do not believe in sulking, like a happy boy. The portrayal of the woman is very interesting in the rendition of Dàodéjīng by Ursula K. Le Guin: Chapter 6 says, "The valley spirit never dies. Call it the mystery, the woman. The mystery, the Door of the Woman, is the root of earth and heaven. Forever this endures, forever. And all its uses are easy." Chapter 28 says, "Knowing man, and staying woman, be the riverbed of the world." Chapter 61 says, "By stillness the woman may always dominate the man, lying quiet underneath him." Such is Daoism. I know some who might think that turning to religion might be a "girlie" gesture, but it is not necessarily so. Some sci-fi buff friends of mine think that all I need is sci-fi as an exercise in understanding reality through irreality, something I have been doing since reading Dr. Seuss imaginary books in Grade 1. I analyse that it may have been originally Dr. Seuss books that encouraged me to pursue the sci-fi imaginarium throughout my life. Some sci-fact buffs, however, incline away from sci-fi, which they may think is childish, frivolous "hypotheticals." I believe also in sci-fact, invigorated by sci-fi excursions.

These days, at Starbucks café, I have been addicted to Oat Nog Latte, but this morning, I decided to have Iced Gingerbread Oat Chai. I sat in the back, near the restrooms. It is a grey-sky day. I walk practically everyday to get to the café. It was extremely windy, today, though. I stopped at Yummy Slice pizzeria for a Diet Coke and Subway sandwitcheria for a Turkey Ranch "Snackwich" just before the café. Heading home, I then visited Kin's Farm fruteria. Grandma Taiwan was there at the front: "Míng sà la!" she exclaimed. The lotus roots were out of stock. The wind was ferocious, as I walked back home. The neighbourhood Tim Hortons will be opening soon. Today is the 14th of December of 2024.