Most of my friends (even my insurance agent!) know I am very concerned about environmental issues. I am constantly nagging people to recycle stuff and use paper on both sides, etc...
Today, my new personal banker called me, (obviously he did not know me that well...) He asked me if my family needs new bank notes for "lai see" (lucky) money for Chinese New Year, "apparently the government did not want to print that much new notes this year, for environmental protection wor (a Cantonese expletive, used somewhat mockingly in this case... how can I translate this word into English with the tone preserved...? too hungry to think clearly, need to get some snacks...)"
Anyway, the main point is WHAT IS WRONG ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OR CONSERVATION??!!!
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Discrimination
Sexual discrimination is still prevalent in Hong Kong.
EVERY single time someone tried to guess my job, they start with nurses, teachers, today someone even guessed acupuncturist after they exhausted a whole list of these "female" jobs... It is still ingrained in people's mind that certain jobs are for men, while certain are for women.
Why can't they think I'm in the IT business or a policewoman, or whatever?!
EVERY single time someone tried to guess my job, they start with nurses, teachers, today someone even guessed acupuncturist after they exhausted a whole list of these "female" jobs... It is still ingrained in people's mind that certain jobs are for men, while certain are for women.
Why can't they think I'm in the IT business or a policewoman, or whatever?!
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Engine
Just talking about Takuya Kimura in the comments of the previous post reminded me that I did not write anything about the last episode of Engine I watched last week.
spoiler ahead!!
I like the ending where Jiro lost the race. Haha! It's surprising that he actually was the last. That scene brought tears to my eyes... How Jiro insisted on going to the finishing line even when his car broke down.
In fact, the whole series is a pleasant surprise in itself. Before I watched I expected something like Pride, on how the hero works hard and wins in the end, and how the couple falls in love. However, these are just minor subplots in Engine. The story is about how Jiro and the children in the foster home changed each other in their life.
I like it!
spoiler ahead!!
I like the ending where Jiro lost the race. Haha! It's surprising that he actually was the last. That scene brought tears to my eyes... How Jiro insisted on going to the finishing line even when his car broke down.
In fact, the whole series is a pleasant surprise in itself. Before I watched I expected something like Pride, on how the hero works hard and wins in the end, and how the couple falls in love. However, these are just minor subplots in Engine. The story is about how Jiro and the children in the foster home changed each other in their life.
I like it!
I'd rather go to sleep... but I can't...
Nothing better to do in the middle of the night... result as expected... I've always been poor at math and creative stuff...
Your Dominant Intelligence is Linguistic Intelligence |
 You are excellent with words and language. You explain yourself well. An elegant speaker, you can converse well with anyone on the fly. You are also good at remembering information and convicing someone of your point of view. A master of creative phrasing and unique words, you enjoy expanding your vocabulary. You would make a fantastic poet, journalist, writer, teacher, lawyer, politician, or translator. |
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Johnny Depp
I got this friend in secondary school who was crazy about Johnny Depp. I could never understand why people are so fascinated by him. I looked at his photos, he's not that good looking on pictures.
Until yesterday. I finally realised his charms lie in his charisma, how he moved his body, how he speaks, etc, not something that could be captured easily on pictures.
What happened yesterday? I watched my first Johnny Depp movie (yeah, I know you can't believe this.)-- The Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl.
WOW!
His co-star-- Orlando Bloom is the kind which is considered classically handsome. You can just take a look at his pic and say "he's gorgeous!"
For Johnny Depp, after reading about him on the web last night, I did NOT see EVEN one pic that I like... However, I love watching him in the movie.
His voice especially with that accent (I thought the accent was real when I watched the movie) is so sexy...
By the way, the movie is very exciting, not a single dull moment.
Hey, the limelight was completely stolen by Johnny Depp... you can't blame me for such a review... haha!
Until yesterday. I finally realised his charms lie in his charisma, how he moved his body, how he speaks, etc, not something that could be captured easily on pictures.
What happened yesterday? I watched my first Johnny Depp movie (yeah, I know you can't believe this.)-- The Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl.
WOW!
His co-star-- Orlando Bloom is the kind which is considered classically handsome. You can just take a look at his pic and say "he's gorgeous!"
For Johnny Depp, after reading about him on the web last night, I did NOT see EVEN one pic that I like... However, I love watching him in the movie.
His voice especially with that accent (I thought the accent was real when I watched the movie) is so sexy...
By the way, the movie is very exciting, not a single dull moment.
Hey, the limelight was completely stolen by Johnny Depp... you can't blame me for such a review... haha!
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Funny
The government's new strategy will probably be ineffective to prevent pregnant ladies coming from mainland.
Why? How do I know?
Today I was at work, I picked up my phone and there was this woman with a distinctive mainland Cantonese accent. She asked me how to apply for documents to give birth in Hong Kong.
Why did she call me? Well, I ask her the same question.
She said she was told to call XXXX-XX7X (phone number). And my phone number is XXXX-XX8X.
I told her she got the wrong number...
My colleagues joked that I should tell her my account number and asked her to transfer the $ to my account.
Anyway, many of these people can afford to buy to give birth in Hong Kong. Even if they have to borrow it now, they'll get it back as soon as they apply for social security.
sigh... my tax money...
Why? How do I know?
Today I was at work, I picked up my phone and there was this woman with a distinctive mainland Cantonese accent. She asked me how to apply for documents to give birth in Hong Kong.
Why did she call me? Well, I ask her the same question.
She said she was told to call XXXX-XX7X (phone number). And my phone number is XXXX-XX8X.
I told her she got the wrong number...
My colleagues joked that I should tell her my account number and asked her to transfer the $ to my account.
Anyway, many of these people can afford to buy to give birth in Hong Kong. Even if they have to borrow it now, they'll get it back as soon as they apply for social security.
sigh... my tax money...
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Art
A friend of mine will open an art studio-cafe thing this Friday.
I've never been really good at drawing, and I can only recognise some of the famous masterpieces, BUT I can never appreciate why they are considered masterpiece, not other "layman" pieces instead...
When I stood in front of Mona Lisa at Louvre years ago, I was thinking this woman looked as ugly as I thought... And I hate Picasso. Monet is ok, Van Gogh is just plain crazy for me.
There is a question that's always been at the back of my mind... Are those so called masterpieces really that good? Say for example, I can't tell the difference between something Picasso painted and ugly stuff by someone who don't know how to draw... Both are similar in my mind because I can't tell what they're drawing! HAHA!!
I've never been really good at drawing, and I can only recognise some of the famous masterpieces, BUT I can never appreciate why they are considered masterpiece, not other "layman" pieces instead...
When I stood in front of Mona Lisa at Louvre years ago, I was thinking this woman looked as ugly as I thought... And I hate Picasso. Monet is ok, Van Gogh is just plain crazy for me.
There is a question that's always been at the back of my mind... Are those so called masterpieces really that good? Say for example, I can't tell the difference between something Picasso painted and ugly stuff by someone who don't know how to draw... Both are similar in my mind because I can't tell what they're drawing! HAHA!!
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Crabtree & Evelyn
I can get urea cream for free, so I usually apply urea cream liberally EVERY time after washing my hands. I had no problem even though I wash my hands like 10 million times a day. UNTIL recently...
I have no idea why my hand becomes so dry and even painful now... even though I care for it in exactly the same way as I always do...
I bought this Gardener's Hand Therapy from Crabtree & Evelyn (at a huge discount today! from Aster, just 50% the original price).
I'm going to try it out this week and see if it really works... so many ppl recommend this...
I have no idea why my hand becomes so dry and even painful now... even though I care for it in exactly the same way as I always do...
I bought this Gardener's Hand Therapy from Crabtree & Evelyn (at a huge discount today! from Aster, just 50% the original price).
I'm going to try it out this week and see if it really works... so many ppl recommend this...
Food Reviews?! (Nah, not sth I do, and don't trust me if I ever decided to do one, more like photo sharing...)
I had dinner at this interesting place at TST called YouYou. It's supposed to be a Chinese restaurant, but take a look at snapshots of the menu. Desserts cost $12 each! And dinner for four just cost us a little less than $300, reasonable price. And food is quite good (NOT according to me, so you can be rest assured that the food is really ok, I can't differentiate between good food and bad food, I can probably tell when food is VERY bad... haha!)and with unusual combinations as well(an example: strawberry + fish, it tastes quite good actually).
And then I tried this tiramisu from Simply Bread. I liked it surprisingly. (What's so surprising? coz I don't like eating tiramisu, so it's really an achievement here for them to make a tiramisu for someone like me who DO NOT like tiramisu...)
And then I tried this tiramisu from Simply Bread. I liked it surprisingly. (What's so surprising? coz I don't like eating tiramisu, so it's really an achievement here for them to make a tiramisu for someone like me who DO NOT like tiramisu...)
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Friday, January 19, 2007
Claire's Ring
Claire's ring is available for ordering! But the overseas shipping price is more than the ring itself... ARGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!
Why am I so crazy about this ring? Because it is designed like the wedding ring of Claire Fraser (the heroine of my favourite historical novel), obviously produced by fans even crazier than me. Before it's just available in limited number (when it was produced by the fans), now because the jeweler is doing this on his own, it's available for ordering!!
A silver ring costs $45, but the overseas shipping costs $65!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
still thinking... maybe I should ask someone in the US to send it to me... hmm...
and I need to try my size at some jewelers, how can I try rings on for my size at jewelery shop without buying? What sort of excuse can I offer???
Thursday, January 18, 2007
birthday musings again...
I have always thought writing oneself (unless something interesting happened) is quite boring to read about... but I'll make an exception to bore you all AGAIN today... HAHA!
Today's weather is very cloudy, this is the only patch of blue sky I can see. Similar to my mood? I don't know... I initially planned to spend the day reading... but I couldn't get the book I wanted to read... so I went out...
I have finished reading the book "Happy Birthday" (the book which the movie is based on, see "birthday musings") today at PageOne. ("Hitting book nail" is something I haven't done for a long time. But the books costs over $80 and I finished reading it in 15 mins.)
SPOILER WARNING in case you want to see the movie
Even before I watched the movie, I already guessed that the hero is going to die. I'm RIGHT!! HAHA! However, it's not that good even as a tearjerker... not even a drop of tears from me...
Today's weather is very cloudy, this is the only patch of blue sky I can see. Similar to my mood? I don't know... I initially planned to spend the day reading... but I couldn't get the book I wanted to read... so I went out...
I have finished reading the book "Happy Birthday" (the book which the movie is based on, see "birthday musings") today at PageOne. ("Hitting book nail" is something I haven't done for a long time. But the books costs over $80 and I finished reading it in 15 mins.)
SPOILER WARNING in case you want to see the movie
Even before I watched the movie, I already guessed that the hero is going to die. I'm RIGHT!! HAHA! However, it's not that good even as a tearjerker... not even a drop of tears from me...
birthday musings
I didn't plan to write about my birthday... anyway, since onion has already mentioned this in the cbox... A week ago, I saw this poster on a movie "Happy Birthday" and it would be opened on 18 Jan. haha! Of course, I'm not going to watch this movie today, if I go and watch it, it'll make my birthday unhappy. I don't know what the story is about, but from the promo poster, most definitely a tearjerker...
Last night, I talked to a university classmate. (I did not keep in contact with most of my classmates. I just met him while I was at work.) He told me half of our classmates went into private practice already. And one of our classmates has opened this place (more precisely she rented a floor! with 7 people working under her) in Wan Chai. She did not get any job in the public sector after graduation, so she went into private practice. At that time, most people would probably think it's good to get a job. Who would think after a few years, she would get so rich?
And then it got me to think, what did I do in the past few years?
I read the blog of a friend a few days ago (yeah, Carmen, yours), she talked about the job interview she had. How they wanted her to work every day even the weekends for more than 1 year. It went against every Christian principle she had. That's not just the kind of life in university, also the life in private practice.
How should I judge if I have spend my time wisely?
In the past few years, I have passed part 1 exam, I have discovered how God wanted me to serve Him, I have started taking courses at CGST. I have started learning Hebrew (but stopped, haha!) I have went to China churches to serve. I have went to Indonesia for a short mission trip. It's not that bad, is it?
If I had gone into the private sector, I would never have the opportunity to do all these.
(I don't know if you notice from all my posts, I'm deliberately being vague on my work, HAHA! so unless you know me personally, you probably don't know what I do for a living.)
Last night, I talked to a university classmate. (I did not keep in contact with most of my classmates. I just met him while I was at work.) He told me half of our classmates went into private practice already. And one of our classmates has opened this place (more precisely she rented a floor! with 7 people working under her) in Wan Chai. She did not get any job in the public sector after graduation, so she went into private practice. At that time, most people would probably think it's good to get a job. Who would think after a few years, she would get so rich?
And then it got me to think, what did I do in the past few years?
I read the blog of a friend a few days ago (yeah, Carmen, yours), she talked about the job interview she had. How they wanted her to work every day even the weekends for more than 1 year. It went against every Christian principle she had. That's not just the kind of life in university, also the life in private practice.
How should I judge if I have spend my time wisely?
In the past few years, I have passed part 1 exam, I have discovered how God wanted me to serve Him, I have started taking courses at CGST. I have started learning Hebrew (but stopped, haha!) I have went to China churches to serve. I have went to Indonesia for a short mission trip. It's not that bad, is it?
If I had gone into the private sector, I would never have the opportunity to do all these.
(I don't know if you notice from all my posts, I'm deliberately being vague on my work, HAHA! so unless you know me personally, you probably don't know what I do for a living.)
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Occupational Safety
I got an allergic reaction to the gloves that I have to use at work, so I need to use another type of gloves which is more expensive.
Before, wherever I go, these other type of gloves was available. Now at this new workplace, they don't have it, so they need me to get letter from a dermatologist (i.e. a skin doctor) to prove that I have this type of allergy, so that they can justify the increased cost...
and so I told the department head, maybe I should borrow some from the other places I used to work, so there's no need to do such complicated stuff? He said he wanted to use ME, this opportunity to make them buy these gloves...
Why am I so poor??
so complicated... sigh... why??
Before, wherever I go, these other type of gloves was available. Now at this new workplace, they don't have it, so they need me to get letter from a dermatologist (i.e. a skin doctor) to prove that I have this type of allergy, so that they can justify the increased cost...
and so I told the department head, maybe I should borrow some from the other places I used to work, so there's no need to do such complicated stuff? He said he wanted to use ME, this opportunity to make them buy these gloves...
Why am I so poor??
so complicated... sigh... why??
Monday, January 15, 2007
New workplace
I have just started work at a different place this month. I am supposed to do stuff I've never done before here.
I felt like I'm back to my intern days, doing simple procedures, entering data...
Not knowing exactly what I'm doing...
It's not like they don't answer questions, but when you don't understand it at all, how can you ask questions? They just don't teach you stuff from ABC...
hmm...
I felt like I'm back to my intern days, doing simple procedures, entering data...
Not knowing exactly what I'm doing...
It's not like they don't answer questions, but when you don't understand it at all, how can you ask questions? They just don't teach you stuff from ABC...
hmm...
Sunday, January 14, 2007
Time
Yesterday, after watching a marathon of Lois & Clark (while entering data for my survey), I began to google Dean Cain to see what he's doing recently. I know Teri Hatcher is on Desperate Housewives, but what about Dean Cain?
After a search, he's still gorgeous, but his age is 40! I suddenly realised how time flies... when I first watched Lois & Clark, he was in his 20s, and I was still in my teens, and now he's already FORTY years old, me in late 20s...
What will I be doing in 10 years' time??
(Note: After thinking about this before my sleep last night, today during the worship service, I had the message, "Offer yourself as a Living Sacrifice", which will be posted later on my spiritual journal.")
After a search, he's still gorgeous, but his age is 40! I suddenly realised how time flies... when I first watched Lois & Clark, he was in his 20s, and I was still in my teens, and now he's already FORTY years old, me in late 20s...
What will I be doing in 10 years' time??
(Note: After thinking about this before my sleep last night, today during the worship service, I had the message, "Offer yourself as a Living Sacrifice", which will be posted later on my spiritual journal.")
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Amnesia
I spent 5 hours to finish entering all the data of my survey!!! WOW!!!
And while I was entering the data, I turned the DVDs for Lois & Clark on, hey, data entry is such a boring job.
I have skipped the amnesia part of the Third Season Again...
I really don't understand the appeal of this kind of plot, why 1 out of every 5 TV series (maybe I have underestimated this...) has to make the hero/heroine lose their own memory, and introduce some other love interest? Lois & Clark, Meteor Garden...
I absolutely HATE this kind of a plot. =P
Why is this kind of storyline so popular? hmm...
And while I was entering the data, I turned the DVDs for Lois & Clark on, hey, data entry is such a boring job.
I have skipped the amnesia part of the Third Season Again...
I really don't understand the appeal of this kind of plot, why 1 out of every 5 TV series (maybe I have underestimated this...) has to make the hero/heroine lose their own memory, and introduce some other love interest? Lois & Clark, Meteor Garden...
I absolutely HATE this kind of a plot. =P
Why is this kind of storyline so popular? hmm...
MSN + blog
A few days ago, some of my more senior colleagues were discussing why people are crazy about MSN... they said they could not understand it at all...
so I told them why I like MSN... and then they concluded it's for younger people...
and then they moved on to discussing blogs, it's even more difficult for them to understand... "How can people write so many things?"
well... I don't think it's just for young people...
Seriously, what makes people like these? hmm...
so I told them why I like MSN... and then they concluded it's for younger people...
and then they moved on to discussing blogs, it's even more difficult for them to understand... "How can people write so many things?"
well... I don't think it's just for young people...
Seriously, what makes people like these? hmm...
Thursday, January 11, 2007
What type of Writer should I be?/What kind of friend am I?
I used to dream about being a writer. I still want to be a writer if I ever have the chance, though the chance seems to be very remote these days.
Anyway, I took this test online and found out what kind of writer I should be... Seriously I don't quite agree with this (because I wanted to write novels) but... it's fun to see the sort of stuff people created for blogs, I also took another test on what kind of friend I am, here're the results of the two tests
Anyway, I took this test online and found out what kind of writer I should be... Seriously I don't quite agree with this (because I wanted to write novels) but... it's fun to see the sort of stuff people created for blogs, I also took another test on what kind of friend I am, here're the results of the two tests
You Should Be a Film Writer |
 You don't just create compelling stories, you see them as clearly as a movie in your mind. You have a knack for details and dialogue. You can really make a character come to life. Chances are, you enjoy creating all types of stories. The joy is in the storytelling. And nothing would please you more than millions of people seeing your story on the big screen! |
You Are A Good Friend |
 You're always willing to listen Or lend a shoulder to cry on You're there through thick and thin Many people consider you their "best friend"! |
Fantasie Show (Marrakesh, Morocco)
What kind of fantasy is this? Horror fantasy??During my trip to Morocco, we saw a fantasie show. Fantansie show is basically a show of horsemanship.
Marrakesh was very hot on the day I visited, many Western tourists even wore tank tops, while I was sweating heavily under my clothes... When we went out to see the fantasie show at night, I merely added a sweater on the top...
The end result was that we were freezing to death... and these costumed girls still grabbed us to take a pic with them... I looked so awful in the pic (hey, I was frozen), so I did not buy the photo, but here's the photo of the pic placed on my jeans. HAHA!!
The fantansie show was quite good. Though the sudden rifle shooting scared me, it was a good show. However, most of my tour mates missed the show because they stayed indoors due to the low temperature outside. Me? I would not miss the show, I had travelled so far to Morocco, I don't think I'll go back any time soon, so I had to see it, and of course it helped when one of my tour mates lent me her coat.
There were fireworks, bellydancing in the show as well. The belly dancer was really amazing... wearing very skimpy clothes in a VERY cold night... Maybe the dancing really helped generate a bit of heat... still...
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Feedback
I faxed my feedback form together with 1 page of attachment (mainly modified from the post in my blog) to Goldjoy yesterday. And Johnny (the tour leader) called me today while I was at work, but I told him I was working so he ended the call.
I knew some other people also said they'll send their complaints to them, wonder if they have got a response...
I knew some other people also said they'll send their complaints to them, wonder if they have got a response...
Monday, January 08, 2007
Moroccan Food
We ate the same things throughout the whole trip. Our meal usually started with a soup, then a Moroccan salad (first pic) which is quite good. Then Tajine. What is Tajine?
According to the definition in Wikipedia, "A tajine (tah-zheen) is a Moroccan dish as well as a special pot for preparing this dish. The traditional tajine pot is formed entirely of a heavy clay which is sometimes painted or glazed. It consists of two parts; a bottom which is flat and circular with low sides, and a large cone or dome shaped cover that rests inside of the bottom during cooking. The cover is so designed to promote the return of all condensate to the bottom. With the cover removed, the bottom is open and shallow for easy serving at the table."
The shape of the special pot is shown in the third pic, but usually it is made of clay instead of metal. The one in the pic is just a modified one for serving bread. And you can see the second pic for the uncovered tajine.
Basically, it can be chicken, beef or lamb. No pork, coz Morocco is an Islamic country. I love dipping bread into the sauce. Tastes very good.
The bad thing about Moroccan dishes is that it's cold... ok, Tajine is hot, but bread is cold, salad is cold... Tajine gets cold quite quickly (maybe it's because of the weather). And when we're cold, we don't like cold food. We'll probably feel different if we are in Morocco in summer.
If you're going to Morocco, there's no need to bring cup noodles. The food is acceptable. Don't bring ten packs of instant noodles and end up giving them to the local tour guide (that's what people in my tour group did, haha!!)
Sunday, January 07, 2007
Where am I?
Switzerland?? No! I'm in Morocco!!!
Beautiful huh? Surprisingly, not just desert! I think the landscape (mountains, snow, desert, sea, oasis) and architecture (Moorish and Berber-type) and the atmosphere (just look at the souks at Marrakesh and medina at Fez) and people (very friendly) made Morocco one of the best places I have ever visited!!
Photos!!! Finally with captions as well!!
I'll never use Flickr again... so complicated, back to Picasa, it's still easiest to use!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I like Google, hahaha!!
Since I've stopped one day in Paris, there's also another Paris album.
Of course, I did not upload all the photos, only the best ones... still more than 200 for Morocco and ~50 for Paris...
Since I've stopped one day in Paris, there's also another Paris album.
Of course, I did not upload all the photos, only the best ones... still more than 200 for Morocco and ~50 for Paris...
Saturday, January 06, 2007
Finally!!! At least something to look at... Photos from Morocco!
After spending 3 hours in looking through the photos I've took ONCE, choosing the best among them, and uploading them... finally they're here!!
I'm too tired to add any captions, feel free to ask me any questions, I'll try to add some captions later if I have time...
I'm too tired to add any captions, feel free to ask me any questions, I'll try to add some captions later if I have time...
Fish fins
Let's all stop eating fish fins!!!!
I'm just watching this documentary on TV, lots of sharks are being killed EVERY DAY because China is getting richer and richer. And fins of the sharks being caught were cut and the sharks were dumped back to the sea when they're still alive...
Honestly, I think this is worse than dog eating...
And because there're less sharks, the whole food chain is disturbed, the whole ecology system under the sea is changing...
Let's all stop eating shark fins like Yao Ming, I don't think it tastes that great anyway...
I'm just watching this documentary on TV, lots of sharks are being killed EVERY DAY because China is getting richer and richer. And fins of the sharks being caught were cut and the sharks were dumped back to the sea when they're still alive...
Honestly, I think this is worse than dog eating...
And because there're less sharks, the whole food chain is disturbed, the whole ecology system under the sea is changing...
Let's all stop eating shark fins like Yao Ming, I don't think it tastes that great anyway...
Reading Gaudy Night
As you grow up, you'll lose contact with your old schoolmates, friends and colleagues. Occasionally, you'll have some sort of a reunion where you meet friends you have not seen for years.
As I am reading Gaudy Night, Harriet Vane (the heroine of the story) made an interesting observation during one of these reunions. When I reflected upon it, I found it very true, however, I have never noticed this before.
"They had evidently kept in touch with one another, for they were discussing things and not people, as those who do have lively interests in common."
Of course, this is not true when you're talking about the latest gossips. Haha!!!
As I am reading Gaudy Night, Harriet Vane (the heroine of the story) made an interesting observation during one of these reunions. When I reflected upon it, I found it very true, however, I have never noticed this before.
"They had evidently kept in touch with one another, for they were discussing things and not people, as those who do have lively interests in common."
Of course, this is not true when you're talking about the latest gossips. Haha!!!
Friday, January 05, 2007
Panasonic LX2
Now that I've used it in my trip, I can finally give my opinion on this camera.
The noise is really unbelievably high!! especially in low lightings at high ISOs... wow... the result is so poor...
but the good thing about this camera is the anti-hand shake function, of course, it doesn't work in all situations, but it works quite well.
And the other good thing is the battery, WOW! unbelievable, I took more than 1GB picture EVERY DAY, like more than 300 pics every day, I have to transfer the files from my SD card to my hard disk in the middle of the day, but even with that amount of pictures, I still don't have to change battery, I don't know why I bought the extra battery... =P
and the LCD, it's very clear and very big.
Just like what I read somewhere on the web, you just need to know what the characteristics of your camera is, no one camera is perfect, and if you know what you have, you can use it in suitable ways.
Sometimes my Canon camera takes better pics, and sometimes the Panasonic one is better.
The noise is really unbelievably high!! especially in low lightings at high ISOs... wow... the result is so poor...
but the good thing about this camera is the anti-hand shake function, of course, it doesn't work in all situations, but it works quite well.
And the other good thing is the battery, WOW! unbelievable, I took more than 1GB picture EVERY DAY, like more than 300 pics every day, I have to transfer the files from my SD card to my hard disk in the middle of the day, but even with that amount of pictures, I still don't have to change battery, I don't know why I bought the extra battery... =P
and the LCD, it's very clear and very big.
Just like what I read somewhere on the web, you just need to know what the characteristics of your camera is, no one camera is perfect, and if you know what you have, you can use it in suitable ways.
Sometimes my Canon camera takes better pics, and sometimes the Panasonic one is better.
Thursday, January 04, 2007
Morocco Impression
Initially I didn't think going to Morocco was a good idea. Morocco is just across Gilbratar from Spain, and so much similar, AND I've just been to Spain last year.
Surprising, apart from Rabat, which is like a mini size Granada (much less beautiful though), it's not a lot like Spain at all.
The two places I love most in Morocco are the medina of Fez, and the souks of Marrakesh. Both of which are included in the World Heritage Site list in the earlier post.
I'll upload some more pics later, here's a photo of the tanneries at Fez.
And another two taken at the souks (markets) at Marrakesh.
Surprising, apart from Rabat, which is like a mini size Granada (much less beautiful though), it's not a lot like Spain at all.
The two places I love most in Morocco are the medina of Fez, and the souks of Marrakesh. Both of which are included in the World Heritage Site list in the earlier post.
I'll upload some more pics later, here's a photo of the tanneries at Fez.
And another two taken at the souks (markets) at Marrakesh.
Updated list of World Heritage Sites I've been to!!
- Historic Centre of the City of Salzburg (1996)
- Palace and Gardens of Schönbrunn (1996)
- Historic Centre of Vienna (2001)
- Imperial Palaces of the Ming and Qing Dynasties in Beijing and Shenyang (1987, 2004)
- Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor (1987)
- Mogao Caves (1987)
- The Great Wall (1987)
- Classical Gardens of Suzhou (1997, 2000)
- Old Town of Lijiang (1997)
- Summer Palace, an Imperial Garden in Beijing (1998)
- Temple of Heaven: an Imperial Sacrificial Altar in Beijing (1998)
- Imperial Tombs of the Ming and Qing Dynasties (2000, 2003, 2004)
- Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas (2003)
- Historic Centre of Macao (2005)
- Palace and Park of Versailles (1979)
- Cathedral of Notre-Dame, Former Abbey of Saint-Remi and Palace of Tau, Reims (1991)
- Paris, Banks of the Seine (1991)
- Historic Centre of Rome, the Properties of the Holy See in that City Enjoying Extraterritorial Rights and San Paolo Fuori le Mura (1980, 1990)
- Vatican City (1984)
- Historic Centre of Rome, the Properties of the Holy See in that City Enjoying Extraterritorial Rights and San Paolo Fuori le Mura (1980, 1990)
- Historic Centre of Florence (1982)
- Venice and its Lagoon (1987)
- Archaeological Areas of Pompei, Herculaneum and Torre Annunziata (1997)
- Alhambra, Generalife and Albayzín, Granada (1984, 1994)
- Historic Centre of Cordoba (1984, 1994)
- Works of Antoni Gaudí (1984, 2005)
- Old Town of Ávila with its Extra-Muros Churches (1985)
- Old Town of Segovia and its Aqueduct (1985)
- Historic City of Toledo (1986)
- Cathedral, Alcázar and Archivo de Indias in Seville (1987)
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
- Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites (1986)
- City of Bath (1987)
- Frontiers of the Roman Empire (1987, 2005)
- Westminster Palace, Westminster Abbey and Saint Margaret's Church (1987)
- Tower of London (1988)
- Old and New Towns of Edinburgh (1995)
- Maritime Greenwich (1997)
- Heart of Neolithic Orkney (1999)
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Bad Tour leader (Johnny Wu- Goldjoy 金怡)
About my trip to Morocco, let me start with how bad the tour leader is. (because I need to write a complaint letter and this blog can serve as a draft!!! HAHAHAHAHA!!)
I took Air France to Morocco, and on my return trip, we have the opportunity to visit Paris for a short while because there was a 11 hour interval between the two connecting flights.
The tour leader told us how the shops would all be closed in Morocco and on New Year's Eve, the restaurants would be all full and urged all of us to join in the guided tour of Paris, together with lunch and dinner at these two great places he knew. (10 Euros for lunch which is reasonable, 50 Euros for seafood dinner, I don't eat seafood, so it's 40 Euros for me.)
Some of us did not join the lunch. We had a great time in a Vietnamese restaurant in the Chinatown.
The we joined the so-called "guided tour". I have NEVER had a worst tour. Look at the right, it's XXX, look at the left, it's YYY, oh, not look on the other side, no, the other side again pls... ok, so you get the picture??
Johnny Wu had never shown himself as a good tour leader in the past few days, he's exceptionally poor in telling history. and stories. He knew a lot of details and just poured them out as he remembered. No filter, no presentation skills. He could make jokes, and no one laughed... I can forgive him for the poor presentation, (not to mention the poor "tour") if he did not give us ONLY 30 mins of free time on Champs Elysees, and then leave us in Paris Look for one hour!! (It's a shopping place where every one of us got a card with his number on it, and it was obvious that he would get commission from the place)
The worst thing was the dinner. What do you expect with 50 Euros?? I expect decent food at least. (I am no food connoisseur, if I think food is bad, then it's VERY bad.)
Maybe it's the same everywhere in Paris? It's New Year's Eve after all. Chefs might be too busy to prepare good food? Two people from our group (clever of them!) went out to eat at a place with great view, it cost them 20 Euros!!
He told us beforehand that the dinner would start at 7:30 pm, and it would be difficult to find seats at that time of the day, we agreed. And then he brought us to the restaurant on that day at 5:30 and said we have to leave before 7:45!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If we knew we would have dinner at 5:30pm, then we would never agree to join him, coz every place was empty at that time!!
Then the food. I didn't eat the seafood, people say it was bad. He told us there would be duck breast. Lots of us choose duck breast, some choose fish, steak, lamb. The common thing about all these food, they were all bad.
I'm going to concentrate on duck breast (because I chose it) which turned out to be duck drumstick!! We told the waiter he brought us the wrong food, and then the waiter said he never told us it would be duck breast. He told us it was either duck drumstick or chicken breast. One of us asked him if there could be a crossover?? duck breast and chicken drumstick? haha! And we laughed so hard on this...
Afterwards, we told Johnny about this, he said he must have made a mistake.
And then later he said he complained to the owner of the place. One of us said she would like to speak to him directly, and then he said he couldn't find him.
In order to placate us, he promised he would give us tea/coffee/ice-cream... some of us ordered cappuccino, expressos... just to cause more trouble, and I just ordered the usual: lemon tea (I don't believe lemon tea is something you'll find in French cuisine, but anyway...). And guess what I got, a lemon TEABAG!!! Not even a piece of lemon in the cup...
And we later checked with the waiter, there was no ice-cream.
All of us were mad at this time, and someone asked him about going to Place de la Concorde again. (We asked him earlier, but he said no.) He had to say yes...
At the airport, he pretended to go and try to find something for us to eat, but of course, he couldn't find anything... "I am so sorry, it's all closed.."
Remember Johnny Wu of Goldjoy travel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NEVER trust this guy! (He cheated some of us early in the tour to go to a very bad show, but I didn't go. 30 Euros for that show...)
Before departure from HK, the tour company told us they would give us 5 Euros back for transportation fee if more than 25 people joined in the "guided tour" in Paris. Well, you can guess what Johnny said, "my company never told me about this..."
I took Air France to Morocco, and on my return trip, we have the opportunity to visit Paris for a short while because there was a 11 hour interval between the two connecting flights.
The tour leader told us how the shops would all be closed in Morocco and on New Year's Eve, the restaurants would be all full and urged all of us to join in the guided tour of Paris, together with lunch and dinner at these two great places he knew. (10 Euros for lunch which is reasonable, 50 Euros for seafood dinner, I don't eat seafood, so it's 40 Euros for me.)
Some of us did not join the lunch. We had a great time in a Vietnamese restaurant in the Chinatown.
The we joined the so-called "guided tour". I have NEVER had a worst tour. Look at the right, it's XXX, look at the left, it's YYY, oh, not look on the other side, no, the other side again pls... ok, so you get the picture??
Johnny Wu had never shown himself as a good tour leader in the past few days, he's exceptionally poor in telling history. and stories. He knew a lot of details and just poured them out as he remembered. No filter, no presentation skills. He could make jokes, and no one laughed... I can forgive him for the poor presentation, (not to mention the poor "tour") if he did not give us ONLY 30 mins of free time on Champs Elysees, and then leave us in Paris Look for one hour!! (It's a shopping place where every one of us got a card with his number on it, and it was obvious that he would get commission from the place)
The worst thing was the dinner. What do you expect with 50 Euros?? I expect decent food at least. (I am no food connoisseur, if I think food is bad, then it's VERY bad.)
Maybe it's the same everywhere in Paris? It's New Year's Eve after all. Chefs might be too busy to prepare good food? Two people from our group (clever of them!) went out to eat at a place with great view, it cost them 20 Euros!!
He told us beforehand that the dinner would start at 7:30 pm, and it would be difficult to find seats at that time of the day, we agreed. And then he brought us to the restaurant on that day at 5:30 and said we have to leave before 7:45!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If we knew we would have dinner at 5:30pm, then we would never agree to join him, coz every place was empty at that time!!
Then the food. I didn't eat the seafood, people say it was bad. He told us there would be duck breast. Lots of us choose duck breast, some choose fish, steak, lamb. The common thing about all these food, they were all bad.
I'm going to concentrate on duck breast (because I chose it) which turned out to be duck drumstick!! We told the waiter he brought us the wrong food, and then the waiter said he never told us it would be duck breast. He told us it was either duck drumstick or chicken breast. One of us asked him if there could be a crossover?? duck breast and chicken drumstick? haha! And we laughed so hard on this...
Afterwards, we told Johnny about this, he said he must have made a mistake.
And then later he said he complained to the owner of the place. One of us said she would like to speak to him directly, and then he said he couldn't find him.
In order to placate us, he promised he would give us tea/coffee/ice-cream... some of us ordered cappuccino, expressos... just to cause more trouble, and I just ordered the usual: lemon tea (I don't believe lemon tea is something you'll find in French cuisine, but anyway...). And guess what I got, a lemon TEABAG!!! Not even a piece of lemon in the cup...
And we later checked with the waiter, there was no ice-cream.
All of us were mad at this time, and someone asked him about going to Place de la Concorde again. (We asked him earlier, but he said no.) He had to say yes...
At the airport, he pretended to go and try to find something for us to eat, but of course, he couldn't find anything... "I am so sorry, it's all closed.."
Remember Johnny Wu of Goldjoy travel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NEVER trust this guy! (He cheated some of us early in the tour to go to a very bad show, but I didn't go. 30 Euros for that show...)
Before departure from HK, the tour company told us they would give us 5 Euros back for transportation fee if more than 25 people joined in the "guided tour" in Paris. Well, you can guess what Johnny said, "my company never told me about this..."
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Gmail...
I can use blogger, google and google reader... I can't open my Gmail account, BUT I can read the email (the text) through my google desktop sidebar... why is that?? Is it related to the earthquake thing...??
I'm not going to write about my trip until later... got to study, started working in a new environment today, jet lag and with work I've never ever done before...
tired...
I'm not going to write about my trip until later... got to study, started working in a new environment today, jet lag and with work I've never ever done before...
tired...
Monday, January 01, 2007
I'm back
I'm back from Morocco. It's a beautiful country. Though the tour leader is not good, the tour mates are all very nice. And we had a lot of fun!!!
I'll write more about my adventure later. First, I'll let you have a look of my injured knee... I tripped in Morocco on 28/12... and my knee looks like this now...
I'll write more about my adventure later. First, I'll let you have a look of my injured knee... I tripped in Morocco on 28/12... and my knee looks like this now...
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