(Cos' I took too many photos today)
Monday, June 23, 2008
Museum tour of HK museum of art and eating noodles at a shop always go in prinmary school 23.6.08
Today, I will not say too much, I will let you see photos of the places I have been:
(Cos' I took too many photos today)
(Cos' I took too many photos today)
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Goldfish street & Golden Coast 22.6.08
Contiue with our trip in HK
Tony, mum, Aunty Maggie and I went to the Goldfish street and Golden Coast yesterday. There is a lot to write about coming out from a day:)
1. Goldfish Street
Let's see some pictures:
Through the trip was more intersting for Tony, however I saw a few interesting things as well. The highlight of this trip was the "swelly tofu" for me. We bought some at the end of the Goldfish street at a tiny snack shop on the side of the road. You can see lots and lots of people coming to buy some "fish eggs", "swelly tofu" etc and eating in right there while standing on the side of the street. These little snacks are the favourites of many people in HK. It used to be available on mobile trolley on streets. People didn't have to pay very expensive rent for a store to have these mobile trolley, however when the policemen come, they have to run for their lives or face the jail. This reflects change in hk in the 10 years that I have been elsewhere. The change of little self run businesses on the side of the streets to more standardised modern business of material kind. It sadden me in a way that it almost killed the HK that many people in hk knew. Perhaps they willn't see this as a bad thing like I do as I appear to miss it more. It is sad to see an oldern part of our culture to get blow away from our lifes today.
2. Golden Coast
Let's first see some pictures
We went to a indian resturant in the Golden Coast by the sea today. The meal wasn't special, however it wasn't as special as the wine we drank that night. It was a bottle of 1997 white wine that I found within the cupboards of my grandmother's at her old house. I think, for others; it may not seem special, however for a sensitive person like me, I show the significance of it so BIG in front of me.
I felt like she was there with us, my grandparents and my greataunt were there having the family meal with us. That was so so special. It felt like, through the wine; there was a bridge that connected me as an alive person with the dead.
Grandma, Grandpa and greataunt; how much do I miss you??? I miss you alot, everyday and every night......
Tony, mum, Aunty Maggie and I went to the Goldfish street and Golden Coast yesterday. There is a lot to write about coming out from a day:)
1. Goldfish Street
Let's see some pictures:
Through the trip was more intersting for Tony, however I saw a few interesting things as well. The highlight of this trip was the "swelly tofu" for me. We bought some at the end of the Goldfish street at a tiny snack shop on the side of the road. You can see lots and lots of people coming to buy some "fish eggs", "swelly tofu" etc and eating in right there while standing on the side of the street. These little snacks are the favourites of many people in HK. It used to be available on mobile trolley on streets. People didn't have to pay very expensive rent for a store to have these mobile trolley, however when the policemen come, they have to run for their lives or face the jail. This reflects change in hk in the 10 years that I have been elsewhere. The change of little self run businesses on the side of the streets to more standardised modern business of material kind. It sadden me in a way that it almost killed the HK that many people in hk knew. Perhaps they willn't see this as a bad thing like I do as I appear to miss it more. It is sad to see an oldern part of our culture to get blow away from our lifes today.
2. Golden Coast
Let's first see some pictures
We went to a indian resturant in the Golden Coast by the sea today. The meal wasn't special, however it wasn't as special as the wine we drank that night. It was a bottle of 1997 white wine that I found within the cupboards of my grandmother's at her old house. I think, for others; it may not seem special, however for a sensitive person like me, I show the significance of it so BIG in front of me.
I felt like she was there with us, my grandparents and my greataunt were there having the family meal with us. That was so so special. It felt like, through the wine; there was a bridge that connected me as an alive person with the dead.
Grandma, Grandpa and greataunt; how much do I miss you??? I miss you alot, everyday and every night......
川龍 & Disney Land 21.6.08
Continue with my time back at HK
On the 21.06, my uncle Min, mum, my brother and I went to a very interesting tea place in the morning. We had to wake up very early (6am). The food wasn't very special there and my brother expressed this certainly. However, I found it special, it is the country olden day feel about it that was so so special. It is like a rare gem in a huge mountain of sand.
So, what's so special about it? Unlike the modern and urbanised tea places in HK; most things are DIY and serve yourself style which was very classic of the olden times in HK. We got there, didn't know where we can sit or if it will be arranged; one of the working ladies there just said without even looking at us - "sit wherever you like." Additionally, you make your own tea and go and get from the counter whatever dumplings or dishes you want to eat. The waiter will ONLY bother you when you call them to come to add up the bill for you to pay them. It has a bit of a dirty wet surrounding, you hear the voice of middle age women and men talking loudly about their world. Yet, that wasn't all. You also hear an orchestra of true swallows and "fake" swallows - the sound of the bird singing within their cages next to their dumpling eating owners while the "fake" swallow (a.k.a. majong) being played by locals in the building next door. It was a very special trip, very interesting.
### The first two pictures above is taken at the family house of a surname in the village there.
Although our day had a early start but it ended rather late. Tony and myself got toured around Disneyland by Aunty Connie and Uncle Denny. I know both my brother and I think we were too old for disneyland where kids are in heaven, however it was so amazing. Especially the true people dancing shows were very very amazing; every turn there is a suprise, there was no time for a breath to be taken in between. It was interesting to observe how happy the kids were, more suprisingly; how the adults get to be kids again within Disney was priceless. I wished I had a day in there just taking pictures of people playing - I think it would be so amazing to capture happiness like that.
Disneyland really symbolise forever happiness, a kind of happiness only children are capable of experiencing without being pull back by gravity of the reality of the world around them. However, I somewhat feel the contrasting saddness to what I see while I was in Disneyland. Perhaps it is how happiness seemed to need assimulation - happiness comes with a price tag of HKD400 per day...... This really is something I would spend alot of time thinking about - how costly exactly is happiness? Where and how do one find and get to experience happiness?
Linking the above theme of happiness, recently I watched a Will Smith film called "the pursuit of happiness". It speaks so loudly to me the search and pursuit of happiness that is engaged by the majority of mankind!!! Some of us think money, status and material can provide all we need. Some of us think it is the love for family, our partner or the creator (may it be God or Budha or whoever/whatever else one believes in). Are we going to right way? IS there such a thing as the RIGHT way to get to happiness? As an OT, happiness, quality of life and meaning is the core of life for me. I wish I know the answer to this question.
Perhaps, allow me to dare to try and answer by saying the following......
Maybe, happiness is like that happyness that was in the "pursuit of happiness". Within the film, the character played by Will Smith kept saying to the chinese kindergarden teacher that "happiness is spent with an 'I' NOT a 'Y'" and the lady just ignored him. What I am suggesting is, maybe; happiness is happiness if one feel it even when it is spelt with a 'Y'. I.e. everyone's happiness is subjective just like what we think, we feel happy different so we pursuit it differently. Therefore we need to pursuit what we think/know/feel will make us happy for our only happiness not what the "standard" of happiness that get set as the 'norm' by one's culture or society. To give an example, the common belief is (well at least the chinese as i have experienced as a child) that you need to have all the material things, a car, a house, a good family and lots of nice stuff.
Happyness can cost nothing and can also cost you everything!!
On the 21.06, my uncle Min, mum, my brother and I went to a very interesting tea place in the morning. We had to wake up very early (6am). The food wasn't very special there and my brother expressed this certainly. However, I found it special, it is the country olden day feel about it that was so so special. It is like a rare gem in a huge mountain of sand.
So, what's so special about it? Unlike the modern and urbanised tea places in HK; most things are DIY and serve yourself style which was very classic of the olden times in HK. We got there, didn't know where we can sit or if it will be arranged; one of the working ladies there just said without even looking at us - "sit wherever you like." Additionally, you make your own tea and go and get from the counter whatever dumplings or dishes you want to eat. The waiter will ONLY bother you when you call them to come to add up the bill for you to pay them. It has a bit of a dirty wet surrounding, you hear the voice of middle age women and men talking loudly about their world. Yet, that wasn't all. You also hear an orchestra of true swallows and "fake" swallows - the sound of the bird singing within their cages next to their dumpling eating owners while the "fake" swallow (a.k.a. majong) being played by locals in the building next door. It was a very special trip, very interesting.
### The first two pictures above is taken at the family house of a surname in the village there.
Although our day had a early start but it ended rather late. Tony and myself got toured around Disneyland by Aunty Connie and Uncle Denny. I know both my brother and I think we were too old for disneyland where kids are in heaven, however it was so amazing. Especially the true people dancing shows were very very amazing; every turn there is a suprise, there was no time for a breath to be taken in between. It was interesting to observe how happy the kids were, more suprisingly; how the adults get to be kids again within Disney was priceless. I wished I had a day in there just taking pictures of people playing - I think it would be so amazing to capture happiness like that.
Disneyland really symbolise forever happiness, a kind of happiness only children are capable of experiencing without being pull back by gravity of the reality of the world around them. However, I somewhat feel the contrasting saddness to what I see while I was in Disneyland. Perhaps it is how happiness seemed to need assimulation - happiness comes with a price tag of HKD400 per day...... This really is something I would spend alot of time thinking about - how costly exactly is happiness? Where and how do one find and get to experience happiness?
Linking the above theme of happiness, recently I watched a Will Smith film called "the pursuit of happiness". It speaks so loudly to me the search and pursuit of happiness that is engaged by the majority of mankind!!! Some of us think money, status and material can provide all we need. Some of us think it is the love for family, our partner or the creator (may it be God or Budha or whoever/whatever else one believes in). Are we going to right way? IS there such a thing as the RIGHT way to get to happiness? As an OT, happiness, quality of life and meaning is the core of life for me. I wish I know the answer to this question.
Perhaps, allow me to dare to try and answer by saying the following......
Maybe, happiness is like that happyness that was in the "pursuit of happiness". Within the film, the character played by Will Smith kept saying to the chinese kindergarden teacher that "happiness is spent with an 'I' NOT a 'Y'" and the lady just ignored him. What I am suggesting is, maybe; happiness is happiness if one feel it even when it is spelt with a 'Y'. I.e. everyone's happiness is subjective just like what we think, we feel happy different so we pursuit it differently. Therefore we need to pursuit what we think/know/feel will make us happy for our only happiness not what the "standard" of happiness that get set as the 'norm' by one's culture or society. To give an example, the common belief is (well at least the chinese as i have experienced as a child) that you need to have all the material things, a car, a house, a good family and lots of nice stuff.
Happyness can cost nothing and can also cost you everything!!
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Back in HK Day 3
It's strange to think that I haven't been back to my home country for so so so long. In 10 years, HK really seemed to have changed. Everything that were familiar to me seemed changed and I would only recognised them as I look closely.
Through something doesn't change, family that are still there.... The materialism that goes around in HK. However, there is a difference to it - how some girls really dresses up as they walk in the shopping malls in their make up (they look very young, like 15-18). Maybe I am silly but I never expected people to be like this.
Another thing that seemed very interesting: salesman just wouldn't leave you alone vs. very rude waiters in resturant vs. "dont care about much" attitude of the general public in hk that just walk pass a poor drunk guy that my brother and I helped getting out of a fence. (it was a bit of a funny scene: he fell and ended up, in prone with his knees forced into flexion in the gaps between the bars of thefence that fell on top of him as it became unstable when he was trying to balance himself while feeling drunk). He thanked us a million times afterwards, shouting thank you down the street after we left. I kind of felt really sorry for him.
Anyways, I better go now. Till next time; folks!!
Through something doesn't change, family that are still there.... The materialism that goes around in HK. However, there is a difference to it - how some girls really dresses up as they walk in the shopping malls in their make up (they look very young, like 15-18). Maybe I am silly but I never expected people to be like this.
Another thing that seemed very interesting: salesman just wouldn't leave you alone vs. very rude waiters in resturant vs. "dont care about much" attitude of the general public in hk that just walk pass a poor drunk guy that my brother and I helped getting out of a fence. (it was a bit of a funny scene: he fell and ended up,
Anyways, I better go now. Till next time; folks!!
Friday, May 30, 2008
Farewell my uncle... you will be remembered...
"Gods, they play us like flies..." (from King Lear), is life really this vulnerable that it will disappear whenever where ever?
Just like years ago, my parents got a phonecall...a call from overseas... from the home at 'home'
"No..you cant be servious.. No..that really sounds bad... I cannot believe this... No this cannot be true"
From the tone of voice of my dad and the words he says, through I do not know what the problem is but I knew bad news is on its way.
And this time......, it's my uncle (my dad's 2nd elder younger brother)...he passed away in his sleep just moments ago.
... ... ... ... ... ... tick tick tick ... ... ... ... ... ... ... tick tick tick, time passes by before I can react
This is my uncle who was the well known principle in the village that always had a smile on his chubby face. He is a few years younger than my father and he was very very scared of the doctor, injections, pain and pills. I didn't know him well, I have not had much of a chance to know him... I was so looking forward to meeting them seeing them (including him) again when I get back to hk in the next month. And now, the chance is over.... I shall never know him again or more than that blurry imagine of him again......
That's a tiny hole in my heart slowing spreading... yes, I didn't know him well but he had a place in my heart. Now that he is gone, there is a empty hole there; of which, I do not know what to fill it with?!?! Saddness maybe? I am sad for my grandmother who had to see her son going before she does (and I think this was her favourite son). Scared also? I feel scared for my cousin (uncle's son) who now has to shoulder the responsiblity for his mother (and possibly grandmother) as the man heading the Ho's family (well effective as Tony or my dad is never there with them).
What should I do? What can we do? When I asked my dad, he just said let me call mum to go in to see but beyond that there isn't much. I am also worried for my dad who has to see his brother go before him. I want to comfort my dad but his mask defend him from my touch... I suppose I will let him alone for now and keep an eye on him.
God... why do you play us like flies?? Are we not your children whom you created and surely love? Yes I know and had feared it since I was ten years old that we will all die one day, but why so sudden...... Couldn't it wait until I was back to see him?? Alright call me selfish here, but im angry for being robbed of my chance to know him better than I did for the past 24 years of my life!!
My uncle, go well and go in peace. We will miss you no matter how little bit we will miss your presence amongst us......
27.5.08
Just like years ago, my parents got a phonecall...a call from overseas... from the home at 'home'
"No..you cant be servious.. No..that really sounds bad... I cannot believe this... No this cannot be true"
From the tone of voice of my dad and the words he says, through I do not know what the problem is but I knew bad news is on its way.
And this time......, it's my uncle (my dad's 2nd elder younger brother)...he passed away in his sleep just moments ago.
... ... ... ... ... ... tick tick tick ... ... ... ... ... ... ... tick tick tick, time passes by before I can react
This is my uncle who was the well known principle in the village that always had a smile on his chubby face. He is a few years younger than my father and he was very very scared of the doctor, injections, pain and pills. I didn't know him well, I have not had much of a chance to know him... I was so looking forward to meeting them seeing them (including him) again when I get back to hk in the next month. And now, the chance is over.... I shall never know him again or more than that blurry imagine of him again......
That's a tiny hole in my heart slowing spreading... yes, I didn't know him well but he had a place in my heart. Now that he is gone, there is a empty hole there; of which, I do not know what to fill it with?!?! Saddness maybe? I am sad for my grandmother who had to see her son going before she does (and I think this was her favourite son). Scared also? I feel scared for my cousin (uncle's son) who now has to shoulder the responsiblity for his mother (and possibly grandmother) as the man heading the Ho's family (well effective as Tony or my dad is never there with them).
What should I do? What can we do? When I asked my dad, he just said let me call mum to go in to see but beyond that there isn't much. I am also worried for my dad who has to see his brother go before him. I want to comfort my dad but his mask defend him from my touch... I suppose I will let him alone for now and keep an eye on him.
God... why do you play us like flies?? Are we not your children whom you created and surely love? Yes I know and had feared it since I was ten years old that we will all die one day, but why so sudden...... Couldn't it wait until I was back to see him?? Alright call me selfish here, but im angry for being robbed of my chance to know him better than I did for the past 24 years of my life!!
My uncle, go well and go in peace. We will miss you no matter how little bit we will miss your presence amongst us......
27.5.08
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Unemployment Day 1
It is just odd, this is my first official day of unemployment after I have quit my job last week (needed to give one week's notice). It is not as relaxing and calm or inactive as I hope to be.
Though I woke up later today (which is just so nice); I had been busy running around at university for different admin for the masters I am doing. Got home at 2h00pm, started to sort out some wedding stuff and is now waiting for the insurance guy to come (had just remembered I forgotten to call the bank@@)
With 9 days to go before my next exam assignment is in (HAVENT START IT YET!!! ARRRGGG), it looks like I will have a very busy time in unemployment. However, I am anxious about relocating work again which is makes me veery nervous again. I remember the last time I was looking for work, it was very unpleasant.
Anyways, looks like i can write my blog a little more frequently now for awhile till i am back on track.. Chao till next time:)
Though I woke up later today (which is just so nice); I had been busy running around at university for different admin for the masters I am doing. Got home at 2h00pm, started to sort out some wedding stuff and is now waiting for the insurance guy to come (had just remembered I forgotten to call the bank@@)
With 9 days to go before my next exam assignment is in (HAVENT START IT YET!!! ARRRGGG), it looks like I will have a very busy time in unemployment. However, I am anxious about relocating work again which is makes me veery nervous again. I remember the last time I was looking for work, it was very unpleasant.
Anyways, looks like i can write my blog a little more frequently now for awhile till i am back on track.. Chao till next time:)
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
I am so fortunate/content!!
Hellooo Blog, it has been such a long while since I last wrote something on here. I was reading over what I wrote about previously and really started to say this within my heart that "I AM REALLY SO HAPPY, FORTUNATE AND CONTENT".
I am happy: I am happy for Natalie Du Toit when I saw the news about her getting to swim in the Olynamics 2008. I was so happy that I cried my eyes out when I saw the news!!! Nobody would believe me about the fact that she used to be a school friend of mine who sat next to me in biology classes. 3 cheers for Natalie!!! Natalie I am so so proud of you and you getting to swim in the Olynamics means alot to me. Not only because you were my friend but because what this means for people with disabilities/impairments when I think about this in my OT hat. No words can describe my joy and excitement on your news! :) Go go natalie, win some gold medals!!! You can do it!!
I am fortunate: despite I am under a lot of stress as a full time researcher at a major hospital in Cape Town for a NPO and studying part time masters and trying to get married in 2009, I can still say I am SO SO fortunate!! Just a week ago, I heard about someone else who's in my situation 10 times worse!! He is doing the same as me while paying off huge loan on two properties and raising a 8 months old baby and small family. Gosh~~ I shall never complain again in my life.
I am content: Through I am not somewhere in my life where I am happiest right now (esp in terms of work); I am happy that I have work and is able to support myself and husband-to-be while he's doing his full time PhD (oh yes, we are both nerds). Yes of course life can be better but hey; it's not so bad currently is it??
So thank you God (it's strange but I still call *you* God) for giving me the greatest skills to survive/adapt/enjoy life - positivity:)
I am happy: I am happy for Natalie Du Toit when I saw the news about her getting to swim in the Olynamics 2008. I was so happy that I cried my eyes out when I saw the news!!! Nobody would believe me about the fact that she used to be a school friend of mine who sat next to me in biology classes. 3 cheers for Natalie!!! Natalie I am so so proud of you and you getting to swim in the Olynamics means alot to me. Not only because you were my friend but because what this means for people with disabilities/impairments when I think about this in my OT hat. No words can describe my joy and excitement on your news! :) Go go natalie, win some gold medals!!! You can do it!!
I am fortunate: despite I am under a lot of stress as a full time researcher at a major hospital in Cape Town for a NPO and studying part time masters and trying to get married in 2009, I can still say I am SO SO fortunate!! Just a week ago, I heard about someone else who's in my situation 10 times worse!! He is doing the same as me while paying off huge loan on two properties and raising a 8 months old baby and small family. Gosh~~ I shall never complain again in my life.
I am content: Through I am not somewhere in my life where I am happiest right now (esp in terms of work); I am happy that I have work and is able to support myself and husband-to-be while he's doing his full time PhD (oh yes, we are both nerds). Yes of course life can be better but hey; it's not so bad currently is it??
So thank you God (it's strange but I still call *you* God) for giving me the greatest skills to survive/adapt/enjoy life - positivity:)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)