And the gold goes to ... volunteers
My parents were fascinated by the Water Cube when they watched an international swimming gala, a test event for the Beijing Games.

Slow down and smell the roses
We are on a fast train - so fast that we are oblivious to the view outside the window.

People who make the difference
I came to know Peng Xianzhi last week when he and his workmates came to fix my office window - the 22-year-old plasterer was hired to work on a facelift project for the China Daily office building.

Performance appraisals come in green forms
Provincial leaders have long been devotees of G: Growth, glory and the investment greenback.

Let us not ignore kids' pressures
I have not been able to bear the sound of children crying ever since I became a father 11 years ago.

Let us not ignore kids' pressures