Unfortunately, our planet cannot conceivably, possibly, even remotely support the reckless rampaging greed-strewn path to fat self-assured comfort taken by the West for the billions of humans in the East and South. Two wrongs do not make a right, and even if they did, the crucible will still break. China right now is the severe test-dish; I think the break-down of human enterprise will begin there and spread out around the world as fossil fuel declines and vicious wars over its control increase. Chenyu, the future could be bleak for all of us and it is probably bleakest where you are. The only thing we can do here to help is to try not to contribute to the madness. We can not buy - for example - the cheap products made in your country, the making of which is destroying your environment. We can use our own excrement to grow food. We can drive less, earn less money and generally contribute less to a mad economy.

Jonesy: You should visit again someday and check your list twice, go to the out of the way streets where the locals shop and not the tourists! I also lived in the midwest for 5 years (Minneapolis/St.Paul) both really cool cities with tiny ethnic boroughs, as well as Chicago, with its own unique Chinatown!

I can understand that some people think that registering is demanding and greedy. That's the way it is now. I have watched young women go on line and see what has been bought from their "checklist." And the check list is long. And there are many stores. One thing they do that is nice is they will pick places like Target and Bed Bath and Beyond so you have a range of prices. But my friend's daughter was furious when she got gifts that weren't on the list. My friend was horrified my her daughter's behavior but I have seen that before. If I were the groom to be I would run for the hills. In my day....I registered for only china & silverware and glassware. That's what my friends did. I had no idea if anyone bought it. I was at school.We opened our gifts after we were married. There were many more things like candy bowls and candle sticks and a hobnail sugar and creamer set. Whatever they bought I have til this day to remember them by. No taking things back. I was flabbergasted that people would think of such nice things to make or buy for me.And I wrote my very personalized thank you notes within the month. My mother made sure of that. She would have been embarrassed to get a phone call asking if I got the gift. Someone gave me a shower and I got practical gifts like cookbooks and some lingerie and fun gifts. Nowdays, I have friends who give elaborate engagement parties at expensive restaurants. You can't tell the engagement party from the wedding reception. There is competition between friends. No wonder these kids don't know how to save money. I have also seen kids take many of the gifts back and use the money for televisions and in my God-daughter's case, windows. How do you like that!! I was wide-eyed when she told me and her mom was mortified. It seemed so unfair to the people who took the time to buy what they thought she would like.Oh well.

I read the book, it was okay. The movie was okay too...although they totally changed her one friend's personality completely in the movie. My daughter said that actress always plays her parts that way. Weird.