See you this Saturday! [PLEASE FORWARD]

Jasmine's photo exhibition will start this coming Saturday, 5th January. The opening ceremony is at 11am. Do drop by if you are free - I will be there (I think I am the MC...).

Details of the exhibition: -

Date: 5th - 19th January, 2008 (Opening Ceremony is at 11am on 5th)
Time: 9am - 6pm
Venue: InnoCentre, G/F Tat Chee Road, Kowloon Tong

All proceeds from sale of bookmarks and postcard books will go to Home Care for Girls.

Bak Bak + kitchen.

Snaps.

每次在報章看到有關虐待小動物的消息，心情都很沉重。

過去兩星期，已經有3宗虐待小貓的報道。今天報道那一單，是小貓咪被活生生攔腰斬死。

此刻的我，眼眶通紅，心裏除了憤恨外，便是無限的問號：究竟什麽樣的人，可以做出這種非人類的，近乎禽獸的行爲？爲什麽可以對一些手無寸鐵的小動物下毒手？

這些我不能明白的事情，每天都在發生，在Darfur，在阿富汗，在美國，在中國，在香港。對象可以是動物，更可以是人。偶爾找個方便的藉口，更多時什麽也不用説，話殺便殺。

在這個沒有道理，沒有良知的時代，我必須相信，那頭小貓，現在正快樂地在天堂裏跟其他小動物玩耍。

Singapore - Iggy's.

在新加坡5天内，有兩天跟伯伯去了Iggy's 吃午飯。Iggy's 開店只有短短幾年，但已成爲世界最佳餐廳第60位。當然要去看看它有幾厲害啦。

吃後感是，一次極美好的dining experience。味道固然好，賣相超吸引，但更重要的是服務一流（很多高級餐廳忽略了的細微細眼事，這裏都照顧周到）。勁加分。環境舒服，不是那種super fine dining atmosphere （令人透不過氣！），而有點像香港怡東酒店的Cammino般，加上counter位，很homey。

（還有還有，我們第二次去吃午餐時，可能經理認得我們，可能他覺得我又美麗又可愛（！！），也可能因爲見到我帶了一部“懶”pro- 的相機，以爲我們是食評，所以免費送了我們兩道菜，由3-course lunch變成5-course lunch！！！開心到飛起！）

講到尾，吃飯最緊要吃得身心愉快。而Iggy's做到了。

以後多個理由去新加坡。


Assorted mushrooms tart.







Tomato souffle.







Wagyu beef.







Gnocchi and truffles.







Pina colada souffle with home-made coconut ice-cream.

Singapore.

Before I met BB, I had never been to Singapore, and I had never wanted to go there. Everybody says it is a boring place with boring people and even more boring weather (even the Singaporean say so!), so why bother?

Then BB came into the picture, and I discovered that there are actually people who would WANT to go to Singapore for holiday. What a revelation!

BB and I just came back from our holiday in this "Lion City". Having been there twice now, I have to agree with BB that, contrary to general public view, I think this country is far from boring, and I can definitely see myself visiting there again very soon.

A country with lots of shopping malls and restaurants and hawker centers and mega cinemas can never be boring!

(心情異常煩燥，想打人。)

妖。

放工，搭小巴回家。我先上小巴坐低，未幾，有對中年男女準備上車，但那女的突然說了一句：“咦，無得一齊坐喎。”然後這對男女便選擇等下一班車。 留意，當時車裡面有起碼７個單座位，還有一個在司機後面的雙座位。

我目擊一切，當堂O晒咀。

車程只是１０分鐘，真的是分開一陣都會死嗎？難道做連體嬰緊要得過趕回家輕鬆吃飯看新聞？兩個加埋成百歲，重玩痴纏？

每次遇到這些人，我都會很疑惑：究竟他們在想什麼？

如果你是這一類人，千祈不要告訴我，我會勁藐你的。

（第一階段發洩完畢，１５分鐘後打壁球，繼續洩憤。）

Memory and sulking DBJ.

For those of you who, like me, find the concept of memory fascinating, you must read this article from the November issue of National Geographic.

I always thought that people like Drew Berrymore in "50 first dates" do not exist. I mean, how can a person have a memory span that lasts only one day?

National Geographic introduces us to a gentle, friendly old man named EP, who has zero memory. He cannot retain old memories nor can he form new memories. He wakes up in the morning, eats his breakfast, goes to his bedroom and lie on his bed to listen to the radio, and then, forgetting that he has eaten breakfast, he wakes up again and eats a second round of breakfast, and then goes back to his bedroom to listen to the radio. Sometimes he will have breakfast a third time. His world is now, and now only.

Every person is a stranger to him, even if that "stranger" has met him for 200 times. Every TV program re-run is a first time excitement to him. His life is nothing like you and I can imagine.

But -- he is happy, worry-free and stress-free. (Although his family may feel otherwise - it must be heart-breaking.)

------------

About two months ago, I booked through my travel agent air tickets to Singapore in mid-December (I am flying this Sunday). The ticket price was HK$1,700, a bargain mainly because I booked early. The deadline for confirmation was 28 Nov. Due to some and miscommunication, the travel agent did not confirm the tickets on the due date, and as a result my booking was cancelled, and I had to re-book my tickets yesterday. As any seasoned traveller will know, try buying an air-ticket 6 days before departure and you are bound to be ripped-off.

The price of the ticket I have to pay this time for the VERY SAME flight is HK$4,300, more than double of the previous price. (I am flying with BB so it's twice the damage.) I almost fainted when I was told the "new" price. I spent the past few days sulking big time and thinking what I could have done with the price difference - dinner at Petrus, new mobile phone, donation to charity, huge Christmas present for my parents, even a trip to Bangkok(!)... anything BUT giving to the blood-sucking airline.

As I was reading the article this morning, I couldn't help thinking, if my memory failed me and I could not remember having booked the tickets for a much cheaper price, then I wouldn't feel so bad about it. I might even think $4,300 is a bargain!

Now I wish I were EP.

The Five Love Languages.

The concept of the Love Languages is, to me, one of the most important and practical theories I have learned in my pursuit of relational bliss.

According to Dr. Gary Chapman, author of the successful book "The Five Love Languages", the five love languages include:

1) Affirmation - verbal compliments, encouragement, confidence boost, etc.

2) Quality time.

3) Receiving gifts.

4) Acts of service - helping with housework, simple chores, etc.

5) Physical touch - not just sexual intercourse, but sometimes as simple as a kiss, a hug, or a hand on the shoulder.

As the theory goes, each of us speak, and is most receptive of, one or more of the five emotional languages above.

The problem is, our love language may or may not be the same as our spouse / friend / children. A lot of the relationship conflicts (not just marriage, but friendship or parent-children conflicts) arise because of a misinterpretation of the other's love language. For example, I may express my love to you by spending hours in the kitchen cooking a fancy meal (act of service), when all you want is for me to sit beside you and chat about your day (quality time). Nobody is at fault, it's just a mismatch and misunderstanding of each other's love language. Once we have a better understanding of our spouse's love language, then we can express our love in a way which is most effective, hence reducing misunderstanding and frustrations.

This book is good for anyone who is in any form of relationship.

The Morality Quiz.

From Time magazine.

I just wish I would never be put into the situations described in the test. This is far too much for my three-celled-brain to handle. And I am most certain that whatever action I take in those scenarios, it'll probably turn out to be morally questionable, one way or another.

(See also the article.)

My legs are still shaking.

No exercise is better than a hike on a Sunday afternoon!



























Now I feel very justified in having a huge dinner (am thinking
sushi and red bean ice-cream)!!

Counting down.

Two more weeks and BB's two-week holiday will kick off!

It's about time - BB has been extremely stressed at work lately and is in desperate need of a break. So this two-week holiday is his early Christmas present.

Unfortunately I have used up my annual leave long before, so I am only spending a few days with him in his favourite holiday destination.

I am dreaming of hawker centre food already!

很久以前，我們曾一起坐飛毯。

此刻的我，傷風依舊，喉嚨癢癢，咳得半死。

但我很快樂啊。

原來，我一直，比我想象中的，更加關心你。

到了新公司後，要加油啦。

Jasmine is a star!

My goddaughter is on TV!

咩事呢究竟？

爲何一件超級簡單，在任何一間公司可以3天辦妥（如在我以前工作的律師樓，1天！）的小事，在這家公司裏，3個月後還是停留在“管理層審批”階段? 這三個月來，爆了不同的大大小小的鑊，全都是因爲管理層（一層又一層）未能及時審批這簡單小事情。明明可以避免的問題，全因一個“慢”字，搞到一鑊泡。今天剛發現，還要上呈更高一層。講到尾，人人想卸膊。

極度沮喪。

現在連政府部門都有performance pledge啦。

中資機構，唉。

想說 -- 2007。

這幾天，忙到頭暈眼花，每天返工做不停。很久沒有試過有這麽大的工作壓力了。（我知我知，你會話只是我以前太太太得閒，寵壞了之嘛。我完全同意喎。）。

想說的是，忙的時候，時間過得特別快。還有7.5星期，2007便結束了。

----------------

朋友們說，今年聖誕節，不如跟舊年一樣，去你們家開party囉！我沒多想，便說好呀。當天晚上沐浴時，想呀想呀，想起去年的聖誕，有20人喲（全是我們的至親好友）！今年卻少了一個了。然後，三百多天前的映像在眼前清晰地浮現起來。 我記得我們為派對起了個dress code “Red”，所以每個人的打扮都帶點紅色。我記得那隻文華酒店大火雞，Ms L弄的cheese cake，那個放在大門口裝Secret Santa禮物的紙箱，誰買了什麽禮物給誰（除了你，還有誰會懂得買Mr. Potato Man the Darth Tater給伯伯？），誰輸了遊戲要罰吃什麽（Sangria, roasted vegetables and turkey stuffing！）。我記得午夜過後，大部分人都走了，剩下幾個男生興奮地在玩Xbox Rainbow Six，幾個女生在談心事。我記得你打機時緊張的模樣。

想說的是，物是人非。2007年，難忘的一年。

----------------

未來幾天，要努力執屋，因為約了社區二手店上門收集家裏舊物。其實也不是什麽陳年舊東西，只是一些在舊居用了一兩年的電器和家居用品，搬了新屋後（一年了！）一直沒有好好處理。放在二手店，既可以替它們找主好人家，循環再用又環保，又可以幫助貧困人士。

想說的是，we should do something that matters in eternity, for eternity is what we long for。

Quote on Friday.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord,
plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future.
Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.

--- Jeremiah 29:11-12

Apple IMac.

唔係話明係plug and play咩？點解個Windows XP install完九萬幾次都重係有問題？依家重話比我聽個keyboard有bug，唔掂得個"caps lock" key？

點解Apple D電腦賣得咁貴，都唔check清楚無問題先launch呢？

搞到我依家非常沮喪，想斬人囉。

Now my study looks über cool.

Because of this.







Have been anxiously waiting for it for the past month, and it finally landed in my house yesterday! Unfortunately there were some clitches with the wireless keyboard, but my IT friend is fixing it and hopefully in no time it will be fully operational! (Oh did I mention the wirelss mouse is totally out of this world?)

26

is the difference in temperature (in Degrees Celsius) between Paris and Hong Kong.

I am now extremely sleep deprived, dehydrated, disoriented and aching all over, but home :-) .

巴黎。我的玩具店。

說的是龐比度中心（Centre Pompidou）。 素來比較喜歡現代藝術，雖然我不太明白有些藝術家的創作理念，但看着一些作品，真的很趣怪，娛樂性滿分。（當然也有些東西，你看完之後只會O了咀，然後有十萬個感嘆號在你額頭彈出來，但，世事無完美嘛。）

發光的糯米飯。







流動廁所。







紅牛呀。股迷至愛。







將吃完的棉花糖。







七彩快樂門。







不要問我這是什麽，我都好想知。










我最喜歡的作品。







在裏面盪下盪下，便是幾個小時。難爲我的老爺奶奶，陪我行到腳都軟。






-------------------
同日加映，伯伯最愛的玩具店。在Panthéon附近。

Paris. La Château le Fontainebleau. La Défense. My neighbour.

I was thinking of updating the blog only after I have returned home, but tonight I received an E-card(!) from a friend containing the following message: "How's your trip in Paris? ... Do remember to update your blog as fast as possible, I can't wait reading your new posts..." Talk about ego boost :) Thanks L, here you go, and yes, I am having a great time in the Land of Café Crème. It doesn't hurt to be a bit warmer, but I am not complaining.

-------------------

My client was kind enough to sacrifice his Sunday and drove us out of Paris to the Château le Fontainebleau.

The weather could not be more wonderful. The sunny morning even almost gave me a little nice tan.




The usual extravagance and glitter one can expect in a palace. After a few rooms that look more or less the same, you get really bored and start thinking about something else, like shopping.

A quiet corner outside the palace.










--------------------

The "new" Arc de Triomphe at La Défense. It was equally sunny yesterday, but a tad bit warmer.








My next door neighbour. I first met him one early morning, before I went to work. He was nowhere to be found the past few days though. I kind of miss him.

Awwwww......

I miss you too.

Paris. Day 3.

Only two more working days and then I am free! Will carry my camera everywhere with me then and take loads of pictures.

I wish you were here :(

Happy bunny up and running again.

Thank you for all your concerns, I am OK now. And don't get me wrong - I am not the ungrateful bitch who expects to be treated like a queen when travelling on business. I think I was just grossly deceived by the serviced apartment's website, that's all.

Anyway, I have now overcome the initial shock and horror and am starting to enjoy my stay. I am typing away in my office now. The people seem nice and the view outside the window is great. I love Paris :)

Paris. Seafood.

Before I had time to come to terms with my reality for the next 12 days, I had to rush out for drinks and lunch with my clients.

Drinks was at my client's home near the Louvre, a spacious top floor flat with a balcony commanding a 360-degree view of Central Paris. Jet lag has kicked in and part of me wanted to leave, but (i) I found out later that my client especially organised today for me, (ii) there were only 5 of us so if I take off it will be very obvious, and (iii) I have a 70 sq feet room waiting for me, so what's the hurry?

Lunch was at Brasserie Bofinger. I have never seen such a humongous seafood platter (at least 36 inches in diameter), stacked with almost ALL the seafood you can name. The food was exemplary, and the bill was vast (a 2-person seafood platter costs 130 euros).

------

I am now back in my room, typing away. And with a pillow too, thanks to my colleauge (poor thing who has to stay in the same tiny room like me for a whole month) who has kindly lent me his extra pillow (and his hair dryer) (and his internet cable too, hence you can see this post). Life is beautiful after all.

Paris.

My trip to Paris couldn't start off more perfectly. On the night I flew:

- Not being able to use my air miles to get a pre-arranged on-line upgrade, I went to the check-in counter with a heavy heart. And then, all of a sudden, I was allowed a last-minute upgrade to Business Class. Yay!

- Dinner with Mr & Mrs S at Lei Garden, followed by dessert at Moon Kee, both at IFC. Very satisfied. 75% happily (25% sad because I won't see BB for 12 days) off to the airport and on to the plane.

- And then I, who never could catch a wink on the plane, managed to get S-I-X hours' sleep!! Woke up refreshed, watched Die Hard 4.0 and the second part of Knocked Up, and before I knew, I was in Paris.

- Journey from the airport to my service apartment could not be more smooth. The taxi driver, a very nice lady took me to the destination swiftly and it cost me only 50 euro, 10 euro less than I expected.

When I got off the taxi, I was in an excellent mood, secretly laughing about everything going so wonderfully smoothly.

And then I opened the front door to the service apartment. And I saw... staircases. My room is on the 2nd floor, so I spent the next 10 minutes dragging my 22kg Samsonite suitcase, step by step, up two flights of stairs.

And then I opened the door to my room. On their website it showed a moden, bright, cozy studio with a double bed and a lounge area.

And I got this -

Have you ever been to Tokyo and stayed in one of those really really tiny hotel rooms, where you can't open your door when you have your suitcase opened? Now make it twice as small, and you have my room. The deco is typical 80's, with a 14-inch non-brand TV hanging up on the wall (with zero international channels - you lying website!! - except for Euro Sport). The toilet is so tiny that you can't find a spot to hang your clothes or put your skin care products. Well, not that you will want to hang your clothes or put your skin care products in the toilet anyway, because when you shower the whole toilet (including the roll of toilet paper) will get totally soaked. And did I mention the hot water supply lasts for 10 minutes only? For a person who uses at least 9 minutes to wash her hair, this is a real challenge.

And when I was trying to overcome the shock, I discovered that a certain thing called "pillow" was absent from my room, and as today is Sunday, the management office is, of course, closed. I will sleep a pillow-less sleep.

何先生。

對於何來是否有資格有斤兩出戰立法會補選，對選情有什麽影響，會否分薄陳太的票源，我不打算在此討論，每個人也有他的意見，你也大可看各大報章的社論。

我覺得有趣的是葉劉淑儀的回應。記者問葉劉對於何來參選的看法。葉劉說：“我唔識呢位何先生。”

一句話，露了底。

這位何來女士，是保育活躍分子，在天星跟皇后事件中，聲名大噪，壹周刊都要訪問她。稍爲關心時事又有看報的人都應該聼過她的名字。如果有人要參選做立法會議員（是尊貴的立法會議員喎，不是的士司機、家庭主婦喎），“想市民所想，為市民請命”，而保育這課題又成爲近期熱門話題，報紙收音機日日講，我覺得這個候選人沒可能不認識這位何女士囉。除非他對這個社會的問題不聞不問。

要我投票給一個，如何女士所說“當選後要從新學習社會問題”的一位候選人，我能否説服我自己呢。

P.S. 早知道政治（跟宗教一樣）從來都是敏感的話題，我這裡所說的純粹是個人感受。

My goddaughter.

My goddaughter, Jasmine, is an adorable 4-year-old. I am usually not crazy about children nor comfortable around them, but Jas and I had this special connection (which started when she was still in her mummy's tummy) and 3 hours after she was born, I became a godmother.

Jas loves singing, going to school, dancing, playing with her little brother Sean (who, by the way, is another adorable kid. Sometimes I think God can be very unfair - how come some people, like my friend C, could ONLY give birth to cute kids?!).

Jas also loves taking photos. And some nice ones too.

There will be a photo exhibition in January 2008, where you can see some 200+ of photos taken by this little girl. The photo exhibition aims to raise funds for Home Care for Girls, a non-profit organization focusing on helping teenage girls suffering from physical or emotional abuse or having family porblems. (I have visited this organisation before and had a long chat with the organisers. They are doing an amazing job.)

Jas may also go on the World Guinness Record too, as the youngest photographer ever (to have a photo exhibition).

I will write more about it closer to date and when I have more details. In the meantime, if you want to sponsor the exhibition or make a donation (to help reduce costs so that more money can go to Home Care for Girls), please let me know.

My love language is Service.

I am going to Paris for business next weekend, so lately my conversations with BB have largely comprised of the following:

[During Dinner] "Remember to feed the cats and change their water bottle every morning and night?" "Yes."

[After dinner, washing dishes] "Remember you have to scoop their litter three times a day at least, otherwise they won't poo in the litter box?" "Yes."

[While watching "24"] "Remember how to use the washing machine?" "Yees."

[During commercial breaks of "24"] "Remember to comb the cats' hair and clean their eyes and cuddle them every night?" "Yeees."

[He in a shower, me brushing my teeth outside] "Hemembar choo open fer yea'er boff effrey offur fay?" "The what?" "Se Yatter box!" "Yeees."

[In bed] "Remember to open a bit of the windows when you leave home? I don't want the cats to suffocate to death." "Yeeeees." "And remember to pick up your dry cleaning on Saturday, or you will have no shirt to wear to work." "[An inaudible mumble]."

I will be away for 12 days. This will be the first and longest time BB and I are apart since we were married. I am sure he will miss me immensely (though secretly happy that the nagging wife is finally on the plane to Croissant Land).

忽然有食神。

於晚上十一點，我的舊同事兼鄰居B小姐從26樓親自送來的自家製西柚果凍，為這個在星期六晚上獨守空房的孤獨婦人帶來一點點溫暖（OKOK係誇張咗D囉咩唧）。

故事教訓：有個熱愛下廚又願意與人分享的鄰居，好過中六合彩。

唔化。

雖然做了多年打工仔，但有些事我還是睇唔開。

爲何有些人的膊頭可以斜得那麽交關，明明是他的職責，居然可以撐大眼說“唔關我事”，“唔係我負責”，“點解要我做”。

最好笑是，居然跟我說“不如你做吖！”。（喂，聼講我同你唔同部門嗰喎！）

不如你唔好撈，我逗埋你分人工吖。

這位人兄，之前已久聞其大名（我老板的秘書差點被他玩謝），現在跟他交手，果然有料到。

爲何公司可以養這麽多廢柴呢？爲何不將他們統統炒掉，把省下來的錢接濟貧苦大衆（如我）？

（但我也在辦公時間上網寫blog喎，那我豈不也是廢柴？）

上海。

四年内去了兩次上海，說多不多，說少不算少。個人結論是，上海是那種可以幾年才去一次的地方，去得太密，會悶死（或者被的士司機激死，或者食上海菜肥死）。

跟大陸其他地方一樣，上海的硬件很好（摩登的建築，節節上升的樓市），但軟件嘛（服務，做事態度，mentality，等等），還跟真正的國際大城市差很遠。如要揀，我寧願去曼谷，起碼那兒服務100分。

全程最好味的一餐。舊吉士（天平路41号）的所有食物都超水準，從皮蛋豆腐，小黃瓜，到雞湯，到蔥油拌麵...




...還有蟹粉粉皮。嘩，十個好味！！






思南路，個人認爲是全上海最優雅的路。










南翔灌湯包。南翔的食物其實很普通，名氣大於一切。佳家的小籠包更出色。










寧波湯圓，在豫園裏。還可以吧。但在香港要吃到比它好味的湯圓，不難。




坐了飛機的奇華月餅。







熱烈推介 - 朋友的朋友開的日本餐廳Haiku（桃江路28號乙，電話021 6445 0021）。非常高水準的加洲日本菜。Must try -- 各種各類的卷物（rolls）。未來還可能會在浦東開分店，可想而知餐廳有多成功。

White Lotus Paste, Creamy Egg Custard or Green Tea?

Just finished three mini moon-cakes, all by myself. (BB has yet to fully appreciate the beauty of this heavenly festive food.)

My body is now full of sugar and carbohydrates, and though I am not proud of it, I am determined not to let my South Beach Diet stand between me and my moon-cakes. After all, Mid-Autumn Festival only comes once a year.

BB and I will be in Shanghai in the next few days. Wonder if the moon there will be fuller and brighter?

老。

今年，發現自己開始老了。例子如下:

1） 越來越抗拒現代流行樂壇（什麽是Krusty？是蘋果批嗎？爲何張繼聰的化妝要像僵屍般厚，還要戴副恐怖淺啡con？），覺得不知所謂。喜歡聼舊歌。（你聼過“別在下雨天偷偷的哭泣”嗎？張克帆的歌，很動聽。還有“一首傷心的歌”，黃韻玲的作品。）
2） 很想重看“仙樂瓢瓢處處聞”。
3） 覺得中秋一定要吃月餅，最好玩埋楊桃燈籠。（我已幾年沒有吃月餅了。）
4） 開始喜歡跟長輩相處，即是真心喜歡那種，不是只爲了尊敬老人家而已。喜歡聼他們說舊時。他們的故事，比“歲月風雲”精彩百倍（雖然我一集都沒看過）。
5） 已經追不上亦不想再追電腦新科技了（枉我以前還是IT律師，真丟臉）。懂得玩FaceBook已是我的極限。（什麽是Web 2.1？還有Web 3.0？）
6） 想陪媽媽看大戲。篤篤撐果D。

Outrageous Joy.

Remember some days ago I wrote about the best sermon I have ever been preached? Well, you can listen to it too! The title is "Outrageous Joy".

小報告。

• 昨晚去了大學舊友的婚宴。碰上不少久沒聯絡的同學，其中一個在年底會去競選區議會！！（“我近排好忙，要做好多地區工作呀，免費法律咨詢呀，義工呀，咁囉”）。令我這個只有3粒腦細胞，發夢想做收銀員啊戲院帶位啊（其實最好什麽都不做，日日夜夜在家吃薯片看電視）的師奶有點面紅羞愧。

• 十月要去巴黎公幹。爲什麽每個人一聽到“巴黎”就覺得這趟差一定會出得很愉快呢？我要坐13小時經濟客位喎！我8日要對住我個癲狂症客戶喎！可能一啲shopping時間都冇喎！出差從來都是慘絕人寰的活動。

• 好友訂婚了。問我，如果在澳門舉行婚宴，朋友會否嫌遠而拒絕出席？其實，如果你的朋友真的純粹爲了“路途遙遠”這個理由而不出席/勉為其難地出席你的婚禮，他還是你的朋友嗎？真正的朋友是，就算你在阿拉斯加擺酒，他都會穿上17件羽絨，歡天喜地的坐上38小時飛機，去。不為什麽，只是想分享你幸福快樂的一刻。

• 在看E.M. Forster的Where Angels Fear to Tread。以前的淑女連踏單車都被嫌粗魯低俗。好慘。（最慘還是冇薯片冇Coke Zero！)

• 昨天發現我其中一個舊同學，原來一直有看我的blog，粉絲也。一直以爲看我寫的只有小貓數隻，原來還有人不計較我笨拙的文筆，定時會到這裡來，只爲了看看關於我的一些事。這種關心，令我心頭暖暖的。我當初寫，是爲了與朋友們維持連繫（縱然是單向的），現在，目的似是達到了。

For One More Day.

A great story is a story that goes right to your heart.

I love For One More Day, not because it makes me cry (oh boy how it made me cry!), but because it is about family love. As I was reading this book, I thought of my own parents.

Just like all the other books written by Mitch Albom, For One More Day is easy-to-read with a great theme.

Just don't read it in your office. People will wonder why you go all teary-eyed and sniffing and blowing your nose the whole afternoon....

吃。

什麽樣的晚餐最令人吃得快樂？

環境要舒適 --- 椅子坐得舒服，枱與枱之間一定要有足夠空間，我不要聼鄰枱客人的是非八卦或肺腑心事。燈光不要太強，也不要太暗（除非你是跟人偷情）。我要的是舒服，是否用了三千萬豪裝我不管；況且羊毛出自羊身上，這三千萬，是你跟我都有份貢獻的。

食物要好味 --- 新鮮的食物，通常都不會難吃得到哪裏。但除此之外，“好不好吃”其實是很主觀的感受，亦受很多因素影響。拍拖時候，吃什麽也特別好味；相反亦然。亦正如我覺得我爸煮的餸是全世界最美味的。

吃飯的同伴 --- 這便是上段說的“很多因素”其中一個。跟好朋友吃飯，聚聚舊，說說新，讓腦袋暫時放下工作的煩惱，盡情做自己。若是跟相識超過1/4世紀的老朋友吃飯，更妙，就像跟家人吃飯一樣，什麽事也可說，什麽事也可不說，反正說的不說的其實對方都知道了。

只想說，昨晚與好友A在和宴吃的晚餐，是令人吃得快樂的一頓飯。 （本來應是我請客慶祝你生日的，但最後竟是你結帳！謝謝喲。）（還有，那個鹽味雪糕，我還念念不忘。）

腦袋裏已經想着跟A未吃的下一餐了。

I wish you enough.

A friend of mine forwarded to me a meaningful story:

Recently I overheard a mother and daughter in their last moments together at the airport. They had announced the departure. Standing near the security gate, they hugged and the mother said, "I love you and I wish you enough". The daughter replied, "Mom, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough, too, Mom". They kissed and the daughter left.

The mother walked over to the window where I was seated. Standing there I could see she wanted and needed to cry. I tried not to intrude on her privacy but she welcomed me in by asking, "Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever?".

Yes, I have," I replied. "Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever good-bye?".

"I am old and she lives so far away. I have challenges ahead and the reality is - the next trip back will be for my funeral," she said.

"When you were saying good-bye, I heard you say, 'I wish you enough'. May I ask what that means?".

She began to smile. "That's a wish that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone". She paused a moment and looked up as if trying to remember it in detail and she smiled even more. "When we said , 'I wish you enough', we were wanting the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them". Then turning toward me, she shared the following as if she were reciting it from memory.

I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how gray the day may appear.
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and everlasting.
I wish you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life may appear bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.

I guess this echoes my earlier post about Joy. Hope you can rejoice in all circumstances, good or bad. And always count your blessings.

Rejoice!

Happiness is the feeling of pleasure driven by circumstances. (e.g. I am happy because I have a job promotion.)

Joy is the feeling of pleasure beyond/in spite of circumstances - it is a conscious decision to be cheerful no matter what. (e.g. I am joyful even though I am very stressed at work.)

Are you happy or are you joyful?

Yesterday's sermon was one of the best sermons I have ever listened to. Will post the link here when it is available.

我的3粒腦細胞。

可能呀神知道我上星期在公司好閒（平時已經夠閒，但上禮拜悶到放了200隻蚊），於是這個星期要我做番夠本...今天一返到公司開了電腦便做不停，連午餐都沒時間吃。

結局是，我頭痛。好痛嗰隻。

死啦，莫非個腦平時冇乜點用（主要是用來諗吓今晚去邊度吃飯呀，整porcini mushroom salad好定avocado & tuna salad好呀，如果我今個禮拜個飯局唔食甜品可能會再瘦D呀，如果伯伯激嬲我呢就將佢D星球大戰珍藏公仔擺上eBay賣晒佢嘩重唔慘絕人寰嘿嘿，之類之類的事宜），D腦細胞罷工游走晒，依家一開turbo便燒摩打？

或者我應該做份再輕鬆一點的工。不如做收銀。Full-time影印都唔錯。抑或...pet sitter？

3粒腦細胞，可以做什麽？

Big Brother is Watching.

昨天返完教會，一大堆人（題外話：我們這班弟兄姐妹近年開始返不同的教會，所以很久沒有這麽齊人一起在我們的mother church出現，兼且沒有事先約定，所以特別驚喜）去了見城吃午飯。

席間談到internet security。我們當中有朋友是做internet security，他的工作是要到客戶office裏，安裝一些網絡保安系統，監察客戶員工在電腦上的行爲（有沒有看咸濕網站呀，有沒有把公司機密外洩呀，是不是每天都在上網呀，等等）。朋友到客戶office也要偷偷摸摸，要在公司員工全走了（即是黃昏後），才可以開始工作。

我說：“唓，我公司咁cheap，一定唔識亦唔會俾錢做呢D嘢囉！”。換來恐怖答案：“唔係好貴咋喎。”依咦，會不會我公司都有安裝這些spy software？

弊，我每天返工大部分時間都在上網看FaceBook打email寫blog，咪好高危？

日誌。

昨天返深圳開部門例會。 會後跟老闆做我的appraisal。一直都知道老闆對我是挺滿意的（他亦不下幾次跟我說過），但好聽說話沒人嫌多的。昨天又聼了一次，哈哈。但我其實想說的，是我的老闆真的是個好人。從我們的對話中，你可以知道他是個為下屬着想，坦率，正義又有良好價值觀的人。（他常說，工作要盡心盡力，但家庭永遠比工作重要）。他也是個基督徒，不知道有沒有關係？

中午跟部門同事吃飯。老闆上任時，發起了每月生日午餐的習慣，我們每月開完例會以後必定一起吃飯，而如果當月有人生日，便會順便當生日會，還會有生日蛋糕。今期輪到我。

飯局中，同事談到中國近代史（除了我跟老闆以外，我的其他同事都是大陸人）。談文革，談六四。這是我第一次跟大陸人這麽深入地談政治。（其實是我聼他們談政治，因很多時候他們太興奮，講話太快，又夾雜鄉音，我聽到耳都側，莫說答嘴。）他們也談文學，談詩詞，談保育。我覺得，他們比我懂得多，文化根底也比我深。還好，他們全都是好人，沒有看扁我這個中國文學只有中三程度，對中國近代史一知半解，連天星皇后都沒法挽留的港燦。

其實只要我們摘下有色眼鏡，大陸人有很多方面是值得我們欣賞學習的。（這是說給自己聼的。）

We thought it was just another Sunday morning, but we were in for a surprise.

Yesterday at church, we saw an amazing choir performance by a group of Ugandan children from Watoto.

Watoto (which means "the children" in Swahili) is a project established in 1992 with the mission of rescuing children orphaned by war or disease in Uganda. By providing them with food and shelter, love and care, and more importantly, spiritual and academic training, Watoto equips these kids will the necessary live skills and moral values, so that they will one day grow up to make an impact on the future of Uganda, a country now struggling with disease, poverty and oppression.

And their children's choir was amazing. As described perfectly on their website, "Watoto's performances are a soulful blend of native African rhythms, contemporary gospel music and ethnic dance", and "through their lively and inspiring performances, the Watoto Children's Choir shares their unique experiences as well as their newfound joy and hope, which thrill and dazzle audiences everywhere". I, for one, was truely thrilled. These kids are so energetic and full of joy, and you wonder, except for God, who would have the power to bring such peace and happiness to these children, when each one of them had gone through so much tragedy in their life. When I see these children, I see God's glory. "I was without hope, but now God has given me a new life!", one of the Watoto kids said in his testimony.

Check out their website and see how you can help!

Do you know...

• Keep egg yolks in the refrigerator for up to three days by covering them with water.
• When you need a small amount of lemon juice, do not cut the fruit in half; just pierce it with a skewer, squeeze out some juice, and then refrigerate the fruit.
• To cure excessive vomiting, try two teaspoons whiskey, one teaspoon water, and one teaspoon ground cinnamon.
• Put a bay leaf in flour to discourage bugs.

And,

• When you set a table, the tines of all forks should be level with each other; spoons and knives should be lined up at the base of their handles.
• Soup is a beverage and must be both served and cleared from the right, like other beverages, an exception to the serve-from-the-left-and-clear-from-the-right rule.
• Coffee and tea cups are placed with their handles at four o'clock.
• The wine-glass goes goes above the point of the dinner knife.

(All taken from The Man Who Ate Everything by Jeffrey Steingarten)

Phuket.

Dinner at Baan Rim Pa. As BB said, you go there for the atmosphere rather than the food. As the restaurant sits on the cliffside overlooking the ocean (so it was totally dark out there at night), and we were seated on the balcony (closest to the sea!), and it was raining with thunderstorm, I spent almost the entire night worrying where we should hide when the tsunami hit (nowhere) and the chances of our survival if it did happen (none). I wonder if other people are thinking the same or if it's just me.

Lunch at Phuja Nirvana inside Central Festival Phuket. We walked into the restaurant with little knowledge about it (apart from the recommendation from the Luxe Guide) and even less expectation (there was only one other customer besides us), but it turned out to be a pleasant surprise. Highly recommended is their green papaya salad.

See, I told you there were LOADS of geckos! I called them Mr Gabriel in the hope of generating familiarity and intimacy (but it didn't work). There are many many Mr Gabriels in Phuket.

Keith Floyd's Brasserie at Burasari Resort Patong. There is an open kitchen outside.

The French onion soup that the waiter strongly dissuaded me from trying. "But Hong Kong people will not like it, it's too salty!", he said it three times. He only gave up when I told him "But I am not normal Hong Kong people" (of course I am; I just like French onion soup too much), gave me the "oh-well-whatever-but-don't-complain-later-on" look and walked away. For the record, IT WAS GOOD.

The lobster thermidor that BB and I truly enjoyed.

Our last dinner at Phuket. Being part of the Lan Kwai Fong Entertainment Group, this restaurant, with its contemporary yet comfortable setting, delivers genuinely high quality Thai food. On our way out of the restaurant, we bumped into none other than the famous Father of LKF, aka Mr Ocean Park.

Going through these photos (except Mr Gabriel of course), I now long for another holiday again.

Happiness is...

this.

Now I want to take a nap too.

唔係吓化？

港大SPACE的意大利文course已經額滿！原來香港人真的那麽努力增值！

死啦，唔識意大利文，咁點睇餐牌叫嘢食呀？容乜易餓死？

好彷徨呀！！

p.s. 如有讀意大利文好介紹，請告訴我。

返工想放假。

我們返來啦。沒有被簷蛇咬死，沒有被雨浸死，沒有被雷劈死，只是差點食到滯死。快樂的旅行 。（看我多容易滿足！）（唯一不滿是我的Oliver Peoples只是戴了15分鐘！！！$3,200副眼鏡只是戴了15分鐘！！！！！慘爆。）

儘管我真的很喜歡泰國人（友善又真誠），很喜歡吃泰國菜（青木瓜沙律！），但我跟簷蛇真的不能做朋友囉。所以泰國（以至任何有簷蛇的國家）（但城市可能好一點）我只能久不久去一次，多點我都會心臟病發。

兩點有conference call。但我的心還在放假...

-----

開始為我們下年的意大利之旅準備：

1）減肥（騰出空間，把所有意國美食放進肚）；
2）學意大利文（看餐牌！）；
3）買guide book。

A Small History of Nearly Everything.

I know I know, I am on holiday and therefore I should be spending quality time cuddling and having sweet talks with my husband, instead of blogging ABOUT SOME BOOK. But I cannot contain myself.

A Small History of Nearly Everthing is probably the best book I have ever read in recent years. I bought this book a few years back, read a couple of chapters and then put it down, and only picked it up again and finished it recently.

Faithful to the title, the book talks about the universe, the earth and the sea, all forms of life, basically about nearly everything.

Having obtained only a pathetic "D" grade in my HKCEE biology exam, and with no physics or chemcial studies background, I should have no reason to read, let alone like, a book about science, which is packed with complicated information and 47-letter-26-syllable-jargons. But I adore this book.

When I read the last chapter, which I believe is the main theme and reason for Bill Bryson to write this book, I cried. And it made me love this book even more.

If you care about this universe and all things that live in it, get yourself a copy. You will be so glad.

--------

BTW there are so many geckos in Phuket!!! I love the universe and all that, but could somebody make the geckos leave our villa?

A chilled Friday.

After quite a packed couple of days (we arrived in Phuket on Wednesday evening), we are taking it easy and chilling out at the villa today.

On Wednesday night we went for dinner to Baan Rim Pa (one of the "must-go-to" restaurants in many guides) that sits on the cliffside. The food is Royal Thai, but I think you really go for the atmosphere - good bar, live music and the sound of waves coming in. The food was good, but not spectular (we ordered the usual Thai dishes which the waiter would probably have guessed we would order).

Last night was more interesting. Keith Floyd had opened a brasserie in Patong - the only restaurant in Asia that bears his name - so we thought we would give it a go. As you know DB and I are celebrity-chef groupies. It turns out that KF will be visiting this very restauarant for a week - but we had arrived a day early. Anyway, we tried the signature dishes: crispy aromatic duck leg on herbed salad (quite tasty, not too dry as some duck legs can be) and lobster thermidor (superb, a good size lobster with succulent pieces of flesh and a nicely balanced but not too overpowering cream sauce). The restaurant was quite busy with Europeans who, like us, were probably drawn to the KF name. As a kid, I had grown up watching KF on TV at home in England, and even now DB and I watch his shows on NowTV.

BTW, we're a fair distance from the main restaurants and areas of nightlife (30 to 45 mins by car!) so today we're going to chill out at the villa.

One last tip: the Luxe Guide is a great travel guide. Combine that with a Canto guide (for some maps and pictures), and you have a winning tourist guide combo. With Luxe, we managed to find a cool bar (Phuja Nirvana) for lunch on Thursday and a great massage place (Privilege Spa) nearby.

As for the non culinary bits of the holiday, more from DB by separate blog post.

-- BB

Hello rainy Phuket.

*sigh*

But the hotel people say it will be sunny tomorrow! :)

We are now waiting for the shuttle bus to take us to the restaurant. I am looking forward to some really delicious Thai food.

More later.

Goodbye rainy Hong Kong (for now).

My life in the next five days will consist of constant beach strolling (how romantic!), morning swims in our private pool(!), and massive consumption of tong yum kung / satay / curry chicken / papaya / all the yummy Thai food that you can think of.

I will be back next week.

看戯。

星期六晚，大雨滂沱，我跟Mr & Mrs S看了暗戀桃花源。

兩個多小時，看着悲劇喜劇在台上連橫交錯，感覺良好。這劇在1986年首次公演，在當時來講，把悲喜劇放在同一個故事，同一舞台上，是絕對大膽的嘗試。明顯地，編劇兼導演賴聲川成功了。

賴聲川説，他不希望為這劇定調，而希望觀衆看後有自己的interpretation。（對我來説，這是一個關於“捨得”的故事。）（有機會的話，再跟你分享。）

又，我看的是香港版。蘇玉華和潘燦良演出精彩，特別是潘先生，他扮演年老江濱柳簡直入木三分，聲綫動作完全是一個老人家。他把江濱柳演活了。

早陣子看過了一大堆垃圾話劇，現在看了一部正正經經高水準的專業演出，心理豁然開朗。

P.S. Mr & Mrs S 的看後感在分別在這裡和這裡。

In case you didn't know (I certainly didn't).

From A Short History of Nearly Everything, by Bill Bryson:

• "[Luke] Howard divided clouds into three groups: stratus for the layered clouds, cumulus for the fluffy ones...and cirrus for the high, thin feathery formations that generally presage colder weather....He subsequently added a fourth term, nimbus..., for a rain cloud.
  
  Incidentally, the first...edition of [the International Cloud] Atlas, produced in 1896, divided clouds into ten basic types, of which the plumpest and most cushiony-looking was number nine, cumulonimbus. That seems to have been the source of the expression "to be on cloud nine"."

• "The indigestible parts of giant squid, in particular their beaks, accumulate in sperm whales' stomachs into substance known as ambergris, which is used as a fixative in perfumes. The next time you spray on Chanel No.5, you may wish to reflect that you are dousing yourself in distillate of unseen sea monster."
  

Oliver Peoples.

爲了我的布吉旅行，我買了人生中第一副（也應該是最後一副）這麽貴的太陽眼鏡。

有些東西，真的碰不得。試過好的（這個“好”是很主觀的）之後，要退而求其次，很難。

試戴過Oliver Peoples的太陽眼鏡之後，再走訪港九新界的眼鏡店，試戴其他牌子的眼鏡，但感覺就是不一樣。

代理這牌子的店鋪不多，結果我在一間以前打死都不會入的眼鏡店（因爲實在貴得離譜！）買了我的心頭好。

旅行回來後，要吃菠蘿包。

安全感。

在這個我每天必看的blog裏看到這一段：

“所以我知道，從很小的時候已知道，對人或對事，懂得放開手隨它走，是非常重要的一件事。而安全感這東西，是自己建立出來的。千萬千萬，別依賴別人來給予。”

很有意思。

想着想着，發現原來自己由細到大，安全感都不乏，無論是別人（家人/情人/朋友）給的或是自己建立的。“不安全感”這一詞，只出現在歌曲裏（不要扮年少無知啦，你知我知這是草蜢的歌），現實中自己從未感受過。

這樣幸福的一個女子，原來是我。

Here comes the day...

...when I blow out candles and make my wish.

1. World peace (very Miss Universe I know, but seriously, who doesn't want it?)
2. All animals, big and small, can live happily everafter; and people will start to understand that these creatures are to be loved, not abused.
3. A greener Hong Kong.
4. Peace and joy and health for all my loved ones.
5. My family's Salvation.

Thank you for all your SMS and FaceBook messages, emails and phone calls. I am a very happy birthday girl!

"Her lie was symptomatic of a certain pride she took in mocking the romantic, in being unsentimental, matter-of-fact, stoic; yet at heart she was the opposite: idealistic, dreamy, giving, and deeply attached to everything she liked verbally to dismiss as "mushy"."

--- On Love, Alain de Botton

唉。

繼續沮喪。

Finally...

I have finished reading the 608-page book and can now resurface from my little Potter world again. For the past few days I have been avoiding all forms of media/human contact - blogs, websites, newspapers, TV news, even the MTR, for fear that some horribly evil-hearted people (like You-Know-Who) may, just for the fun of seeing other people (i.e. me) suffer, give the ending away.

Hurrah, I am free now!

做得幾多得幾多。

一個鐘，我應該得嘅。

除了冷氣，要做的，還有很多很多。但總要踏出第一步。

The truth is always hard to take.

BB and I have joined a new care group at church, and tonight is our first official bible study / fellowship meeting.

Like most bible study groups, we need to prepare for the meeting by reading some materials relevant to the topic of discussion, and tonight's topic is about marriage life. So, this morning I was reading this chapter which talks about "honouring your uniqueness". The chapter contains discussion of spiritual principles as well as some questions for us to answer, and it was when I was answering one of the questions that the truth suddenly dawned on me:

"What is your G.Q. (gratefulness quotient) concerning your talents and abilities? Write Yes or No in each blank below.

_____ I can think of at least two talents I have.
_____ I often thank God for the abilities He has given me.
_____ I ......

......"

I froze after reading the first statement. "Two talents"? I scratched my head for 5 minutes, went to the loo (people think most clearly when in toilets), came back, stared at the questions again for another 5 and my head was still blank.

I HAVE NO TALENTS! *sob*

P.S. It's been 6 hours since I first read the question, and I still cannot think of one single talent that I have. Sigh.

唉。

我未來18日（唔好彩的話，2個月！）會勁沮喪。

點解我咁命苦吖。

The lobster, shrimp and crab louie was fantastic.

Having lunch with L is always a pleasure.

We were classmates in law school, and after we graduated, we joined the same law firm and became colleagues.

I left that law firm three years ago, but L and I manage to keep in touch. Whenever we meet up (which is less often than we'd like to be), it's always full of fun and non-stop chatting. Pure gals' talk.

Having changed jobs a few times has left me with, besides a few more lines on my CV, a fair amount of "ex-colleagues". Not all "ex-colleagues" can transition smoothly into "friends" -- time will tell. There are disappointments, but there are more surprises.

L is never a surprise though. I always knew we would be friends, colleagues or not. And I am so glad I am right.

If I say this 100 times it will come true.

I am an excellent cook.

I am an excellent cook.

I am an excellent cook.

Au secours!

點解我細個時淨係掛住煲電視劇唱K行街，而不好好去學下法文呢。

點解叮噹不是我的朋友呢。

點解我個客講的英文要有這麽濃烈的法文口音，多到我其實十句話裏只有一句聼得明呢。仲要和他傾合同噃，仲要份合同勁肉酸要大執噃。點算？

Oh Sekoor!

My new book shelf.

Just scroll down.

There is a wish list too! *wink*

The angels got together... and sprinkled moondust in your hair**.

T and I go back a long way. We started our full-time professional work life together in the same law firm as trainee solicitors. Memories of how we first met escaped me, but I can remember vividly the days when it's quiet at work and we (trainees!) took our not-too-short tea break or went shopping (Mannings!) in the Exchange Square area (IFC was not yet fully developed in those days).

Years flew by and today T is not only a talented (she's been always been - it is difficult to hide a star) and successful lawyer at an international law firm, but a mother of three!

Her name is Yvonne. Isn't she adorable. (She smiles too - only at aged 2/365 year!)

**You are allowed to be mushy when around babies.

Anniversary.

Today is my parents' wedding anniversary. 34 years ago, they made one of their life's biggest commitments -- that they would love and cherish each other for the rest of days.

In a world where the divorce rate is climbing every year, 34 is a pretty amazing figure.

My parents do not think this is much of a big deal, but I do. And I thank them for teaching me all about family values by setting an example themselves.

The Peak.

The Suens have recently bought a car, so what better to do than to drive to the Peak on a sunny day and have a relaxing lunch with their two friends (i.e. me and BB)?

The view from Cafe Deco.










The appetizer sampler I ordered.







The salmon tandori.

The food at Cafe Deco was OK, but if you are planning on going, stay away from the wine tasting package. We should have known better that $72 (for 3 glasses) is not going to give us any remotely pleasant wine tasting experience. Our bad.

Next time we will try Pearl on the Peak (with the Suens of course, who will again give us a ride -- yes I know we are shamelessly thick-skinned).