Image: http://www.chinesehoroscope3000.com/horoscope-images/horoscope_2010_tiger-1.jpg
Fengshui masters are all over the news these days. First, I read about the Maoshan master who offered sex in exchange for good fortune (and he got paid for doing that!!!), then I read about
the I'm-not-a-feng-shui-master Tony Chan losing the court case.
What I find even more interesting is that a student of mine pointed out that the two cases are actually in line with each other: That is, the two men both offered hope for the other parties that they could change their lives, such as bringing them good fortune or finding long-disappeared love ones, in exchange for something, such as sex or/and cash. And the other parties will do almost anything for even tiny glimpse of hope that might exist!
To tell you the truth, I have never thought of that! And it takes real life experience to be able to see the correlations between the cases! I AM IMPRESSED!!!
Anyway, that's slightly out of the scope of my talking point today. I found an interesting
news article while reading the Standard yesterday afternoon:
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Tycoons set to ride the Golden Tiger
DerekYiu and BethYe
Thursday, February 04, 2010
For investors troubled with how the Hang Seng Index stumbled through much of January, a professional report sets the scene for investment choices in the Year of the Golden Tiger - the CLSA Feng Shui Index 2010.The first sentence of the tongue-in-cheek analysis reads: "Tiger years are typically marked by dramatic changes and even upheaval."
"Tigers are impetuous and unpredictable, so the Hang Seng Index will be more fluctuating this year," said CLSA's Vonnie Chan, senior institutional sales, China and Hong Kong.
Chan said the HSI will start the year well but face a bumpy time in the following three months. It will test lows in May, and June will be a good time to get bargains. August will see another slip before a key upswing in September.
While the Feng Shui Index does not say how the HSI will end the year, managing director of China-Hong Kong strategy Francis Cheung noted the brokerage expects it to reach 26,000.
Chan said "Gold" industries will boom and so will corresponding securities including steel, silver and aluminum. "Wood" industries such as clothing will also fare well. The Feng Shui Index sees gold exceeding US$2,000 an ounce, US$900 (HK$7,020) more than CLSA's actual house view.
2010 is a great year for Dragons, Horses and Goats. Dragons such as Li Ka-shing should focus on the family and career, which will bring them great happiness and success. Horses such as President Hu Jintao have another top year ahead. It will turn out greater if they can rein in impatience and channel that energy. They should trust their instincts - such decisions will prove to be uncannily on the money.
"Uncle Four" Lee Shau-kee, a Rabbit, will pull off more than one stunning stock market coup. And apartments in one of Lee's Henderson Land (0012) projects will beat even the world record HK$71,280 per square foot. Model Chrissie Chau Sau-na also gets a special mention. The Cow girl can "look forward to big breakthroughs in her career and love life by Christmas."
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Vocabulary:
glimpse -- when you see something or someone for a very short time tongue-in-cheek -- describes something that is meant to be understood as a joke, although it might appear to be serious
upheaval -- (a) great change, especially causing or involving much difficulty, activity or trouble
impetuous -- likely to act on a sudden idea or wish, without considering the results of your actions
bumpy -- not smooth, like a road with many stones and you are driving a car over them.
upswing -- an increase or improvement
boom -- [I] to increase or become successful and produce a lot of money very quickly
uncannily -- strangely or mysteriously; in a way difficult or impossible to explain
pull sth off -- to succeed in doing something difficult or unexpected
coup -- an unexpectedly successful achievement
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Opinions:
What is this CLSA Feng Shui Index thing? I did a bit of research and found that it has been around for a number of years --
the official CLSA website stated that it began in 1992 on the Chinese New Year card for the clients. And
last year's sounds rather accurate!!! (How can it not? It will be true no matter what) My question is, how about this year? I have got
the original report from
the official CLSA website for you to read in details.
The most daring part of this report is the prediction of gold prices, of which is predicted to break US$2000 / ounce! I wonder where the number "2000" comes from...
Believe it or not, it is up to you. Either way, the report has added a bit of fun to the world of economy (and the world of English learning, of course, right?).
Locky's English Playground will still be opened for all English lovers and players during Chinese New Year holidays, so keep following!
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