off topic - before and after

i am lucky to have been to china in the last few years for work. the transformation i witnessed is truly astounding. one of the my favourite `side activity' is to take pictures at the same spot over the years so i can see what changed. i recalled reading a news article on beijing that the city map needs updating every 3 months because there are so many new sights and developments completed that changed the cityscape, especially in the pre-olympic years. here are 2 iconic landmarks that helped define the new beijing.


cctv hq building - i literally saw this imposing beauty rise from the grounds up from the 16th floor on my office building opposite this site. it's hard not to stare at it everytime the sight of this building beckons. of course, this building is still unoccupied due to someone's folly of letting off fireworks in an adjoining building late last year. it razed that building into a black shell.

beijing olympic stadium, the bird's nest - nuff' said