Hong Kong Superstar Tutors

A few weeks before I left on my recent trip to Asia, a friend told me about the superstar tutors of Hong Kong. (Then when I saw that Slate reported on it, I knew I was years behind the curve.) I didn't realize just how pervasive the phenomenon was though, until I got to HK, stepped into the train and then out, and took all of these photos within a 5 minute stretch.









I've always heard that the best way to learn a language is to get a girl/boyfriend, but in lieu of that I guess a major "idol" crush will do just fine.

I don't know if you can make it out on the picture, but Joseph Li is "often held up as Exam Prophet." I think it's gone to his head though. Head/hair.

Is this why I love makeup???

I can't remember how I stumbled across this, but take a look at this amazing video with a really interesting and intelligent dissection of the portrayal of women and beauty in the media, and how we're basically set up to fail, when it comes to self-confidence in our looks (and therefore ourselves).

One day China will rule the world...

But today might not be the day. Guangdong Enterprises is one of about a bajillion factories in China that mass produce stuff Wal-Mart sells, and they've come out with this special edition mug featuring Prince William and his future bride, Kate Middleton. Except instead of a picture of William (the bald one), there's a picture of Harry (the smug, smarmy one).

Maybe once Kate becomes royalty, she'll have the power to do something about the thin little wisps of hair left on William's head.

Tilted axis

According to the NYTimes, Japan is now wider and closer to the US than it was pre-quake. The earth's axis has been changed and our day is now millionths of a second shorter! If that time could come out of my work day........

Check out more amazing and horrible pictures of the destruction there.