Spinsters' bitter vow

Liang Shanchang, of east Guangzhou's Jishan Village, wore her hair in a bun and participated in a ceremony organized by the village in which she swore she would never marry. She was in her late 20s when she did this to become a "zishunu" - a "woman who combs her own hair". Now 92, Liang is one of few zishunu still alive in South China's Guangdong Province.

Life Pulse

Laying tradition to rest

Zheijiang native Lu Xiao'e, 82, was faced with a dilemma. Should she sell her most cherished possession that had been her faithful companion for more than half a century - ever since she got married? Or should she forgo the money that could help her daughter build a new house?

Flashing the plastic to repent for my sins against an ailing mother

Forgive me, Mother Earth, for I have sinned. Every morning, while brushing my teeth, I open the water tap approximately 30 percent of the way while massaging my gums and polishing my not-so-pearly white teeth. If my breath still stinks after the first brushing, I do it again. Meanwhile, the water is running right into the drain. I've tried to reform by turning off the water while I brush, but - shame on me - I usually forget.

Reviews

Movies

Life Pulse

Chasing the flame

Soon after arriving in Beijing, American Gregory Groggel donned a false beard and mustache for his film debut, cast as the young Jesuit missionary, Matteo Ricci, who arrived in China in 1583 and later became the first Westerner granted access to the Forbidden City. Once shooting wrapped up, director Zhang Li told his young star the documentary was created for the Olympics, to promote China's history to a worldwide audience ahead of next year's Games.

Feeling hot and cold about beating back the heat in Beijing

It's been three years in Beijing now, but one thing that I am yet to get used to is the winter. While all my friends can't help gushing excitedly at the first sleet of every season, I plunge into deep depression. What's so beautiful about a striking landscaped being clothed in sepulchral white and sunrays struggling to break through gloomy skies, and dark, dark mornings and even darker evenings, I wonder.

Reviews

Movies

Sports

I'm cursed not a choker, grates Garcia

CARNOUSTIE, Scotland: Sergio Garcia insisted he would bounce back from the trauma of throwing away his chance to claim his first major title at the British Open he had led until the final hole.

WADA fears key players have doping problem

CARNOUSTIE, Scotland: Key players and officials believe a drugs-testing policy is urgently needed in golf, according to World Anti-Doping Agency chairman Dick Pound.