Yes, am still alive and kicking. Have so many things I had wanted to blog but adding Japanese with couple of other things like watching my Korean drama, it kind of slip my mind and now I completely have forgotten what I had wanted to blog. Is this what old age does to your brains?
I guess I still have a bunch of Japan trip photos that I havent uploaded....and a bunch of photos that I shot of Carina Lau and Donnie Yen when I was in CWB. That sat when I had dinner with my frens in town was like a star struck nite. I must have seen 5 HK celebs in the span of half hour.
First was Gi Gi Leung, then another HK actor which I recog but forgotten his name. They were at some Nike store event at Pak Sha road. Then as I was keeping my camera away (which was there to take shot of my frens actually), and how was I to know Edison Chen dressed in a hooded top walked right past me. Yes the very Edison in that scandal which I dont really care about. Damn, I was torn between running after him for a photo together but thought better of it...he prob may snub me anycase.
Just as we cross the road to Sogo side as I wanted to bring my fren to eat the steam milk thingie for dessert, we aw a huge crowd and shooting crew. Hold and behold! It was Carina Lau and Donnie Ye. So out whipped my camera and snap snap snap. What can i say, I love my new Canon S95 cam!
And oh yeah, one of my gf Moo Moo has given birth and pouring over boy names....and of all the million names, she ends up shortlisting Javier, the same name as one of our common fren's son. Same frequency, same taste? Haaa haa
So that is all I can rem for the past few weeks of my life. Kinda sad to be able to sum it up in last than quarter of a page really....pathetic laugh.
I guess its time to seek refuge in my TV world again. Anyone started on K-drama Secret Garden yet? (Read series recaps )
OMG! I can only say OMG because my one and only all time fav korean actor Hyun Bin is starrng in it and he is sooooo adorable in the show that I can almost say I love him to bits (To my partner: sorry darling, u just have to share 1% of the slot with a korean guy yah)
Hyun Bin has been my number 1 actor since My lovely Kim Sam Soon, where he totally charmed me with his boyish and yet manly charm. Long Sigh........its a sin for someone to look so good and talented...unlike many other korean stars that comes across as androgynous now adays, a cross bred of man-woman look, Hyun Bin totally looks like a man and he cannot pass off as a woman no matter on what counts. His chiseled cheek bone (which is looking extremely slim currently), his dimple smile, his eyes....i know I know..I sound like a silly 16yr old having a major crush. T think he is only in late 20s and he looks better as he get older....oh wait, does that make me a cougar?!!! gasps!
In Secret Garden, his character requires him to be rich obnoxious dude and struggling to come to terms with with his inexplicable liking for a poor stuntwoman who is worlds apart from him. The girl who was initially repelled by him starts to feel conflicted as he came to her rescue several times and yet openly dissing her about her poverty, making her feel so small...Now thru sheer strangeness, they have got their bodies switched! Not the most original plot but who cares, I am watching for the actor to bring me smiles and laughter.
Ok enough of me going on and on about Hyun Bin, here's a MV to share, where I get to indulge in the OST which I really like.
Song Lyrics
(written from a woman's POV, and is in love with the man)
One woman loves you. That woman loves you wholeheartedly. She follows you around like a shadow everyday, That woman is laughing and crying. Just How..How much more do I have to gaze at you alone. This love that came like the ...wind, This love like a beggar. If I continue this way, will you love me? Just come a little nearer..a little more.. If I take one step closer to you, then you take two steps back. I who love you am next to you now. That woman is crying.
That woman is timid. So she learned how to laugh. That woman's heart has many stories that she can't even tell her best friend. So her heart is full of tears. That's why, that woman. You, She loved you. Because you are just same as her. Yet another fool, yet another fool. Can't you hug me before you go? I want to receive love, baby Everyday in my heart, Just in my heart, I shout and That woman is next to him even today.
Do you know that woman is me? You're not pretending that you don't know, right? You really don't know cause you're a fool. just How..How much more do I have to gaze at you alone. This love that came like the wind, This love like a beggar. If I continue this way, will you love me? Just come a little nearer..a little more.. If I take one step closer to you, then you take two steps back. I who love you next to you now. That woman is crying.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Friday, November 19, 2010
What is wrong with this scenerio? Where it has become a norm that Singapore man doesnt even expecct their Singaporean wife to know how to cook anymore. It's not about whether she is busy with work and too tired to cook but rather, most of them just shun the kitchen as if its beneath them to be caught dead in a kitchen. However, they expect their helper to know how to cook?
In HK, over half of the Hong Kong spouses know how to cook. Some who are married off to "better" half and can afford maids probably does not cook everyday but they KNOW how to cook, they just prefer to supervise the helper to cook most days. My Taiwanese friends, most of the girls can cook too but maybe they just dont do it everyday. As for my western friends, they ALL cook. Havent known one who doesnt yet. So seriously, is there something amiss with the growing trend of this "I hate cooking, I dont cook" sentimnent? Of course its a personal thing, and frankly quite none of my business I concede. However, this in some way says alot about the changes of mindset and that in some ways, are we bringing up the next generation to want everything but not work for anything?
I had lunch with some Singaporean friends and their families. They had 3 children of age 8,6,3. There is something annoying about some Singaporean kids, that is they are so pampered by their parents that they become overly picky with their food. What they choose not to eat is again frankly not my problem, but it kinda annoy me when they make those sickening "Eee eee" sound that is to signify what other people are eating are gross. To me, that borders on lack of table manner. If you dont eat, just be quiet. When asked why they dont eat it, they said the colour looks awful. The mum chiped in declaring "My children only eat western food, they dont eat any chinese food."
And how is that supposed to b something to be proud of? A CHINESE kid trying to pass off as a Westerner and discarding their own culture as if its such a shame to be associated with chinese food. WTF? If it wasnt that it was a good fren's family, I prob wont hold my tongue. But as the boy went going "Eeee eeee" I couldnt but help ask him what was his problem. He said eating black stuff will turn a person black, and eating carrots will turn a person orange.
8 years old or not, when you say something so stupid, it was an open invitation for me. So I counter asked him has he EVER seen anyone turning black or orange himself? He should either show me one or name me one. He squirm in one corner and just insisted it was true. I told him that if he couldnt hold his claim, he is telling a fib. He finally went quiet with his Eeeee eeeing and nonsensical comments. I have never done all these things when I was young. It's alright to ask questions and having preference in food, but honestly, openly being disgusted with food that others are eating is not good etiquette.
Parents should really stop indulging their kids with everything they want. There is a fine line between loving them, offering them good things in life and spoiling them. And when they behave badly, parents should nip it at the bud and seriously, spare the rod and spoil the child. I dont mean literally having to bash the kid up but I think most (Singaporean) parents these days have been too lax with their parenting that their becomes obnoxious in comparison to other kids.
In HK, over half of the Hong Kong spouses know how to cook. Some who are married off to "better" half and can afford maids probably does not cook everyday but they KNOW how to cook, they just prefer to supervise the helper to cook most days. My Taiwanese friends, most of the girls can cook too but maybe they just dont do it everyday. As for my western friends, they ALL cook. Havent known one who doesnt yet. So seriously, is there something amiss with the growing trend of this "I hate cooking, I dont cook" sentimnent? Of course its a personal thing, and frankly quite none of my business I concede. However, this in some way says alot about the changes of mindset and that in some ways, are we bringing up the next generation to want everything but not work for anything?
I had lunch with some Singaporean friends and their families. They had 3 children of age 8,6,3. There is something annoying about some Singaporean kids, that is they are so pampered by their parents that they become overly picky with their food. What they choose not to eat is again frankly not my problem, but it kinda annoy me when they make those sickening "Eee eee" sound that is to signify what other people are eating are gross. To me, that borders on lack of table manner. If you dont eat, just be quiet. When asked why they dont eat it, they said the colour looks awful. The mum chiped in declaring "My children only eat western food, they dont eat any chinese food."
And how is that supposed to b something to be proud of? A CHINESE kid trying to pass off as a Westerner and discarding their own culture as if its such a shame to be associated with chinese food. WTF? If it wasnt that it was a good fren's family, I prob wont hold my tongue. But as the boy went going "Eeee eeee" I couldnt but help ask him what was his problem. He said eating black stuff will turn a person black, and eating carrots will turn a person orange.
8 years old or not, when you say something so stupid, it was an open invitation for me. So I counter asked him has he EVER seen anyone turning black or orange himself? He should either show me one or name me one. He squirm in one corner and just insisted it was true. I told him that if he couldnt hold his claim, he is telling a fib. He finally went quiet with his Eeeee eeeing and nonsensical comments. I have never done all these things when I was young. It's alright to ask questions and having preference in food, but honestly, openly being disgusted with food that others are eating is not good etiquette.
Parents should really stop indulging their kids with everything they want. There is a fine line between loving them, offering them good things in life and spoiling them. And when they behave badly, parents should nip it at the bud and seriously, spare the rod and spoil the child. I dont mean literally having to bash the kid up but I think most (Singaporean) parents these days have been too lax with their parenting that their becomes obnoxious in comparison to other kids.
Trip to Kamakura Japan.
Just recovered from Japan trip. Yen is so strong now that so it kinda took the fun off from shopping but what the hell, still bought some stuff that I didnt see in HK ( or cross fingers that I wont see it as I roam the streets of HK!)
Had a short day trip to Kamakura and it was a nice visit to the local shrines and because it was the Shichi Go San festival, a lot of little kids of 3, 5, 7 were dressed in their finest kimono running about with their parents. It was a nice visual treat as the little dolled up gals were really cute and they def relished in being the attention of the adults exclaiming their cuteness:) Proud parents esp dadddies were seen smiling and nodding thanks to compliments and taking photos of their precious:) On my last day in Tokyo, I worked up the courage to intrude on their private family time to approach the grandma and asked to take a picture with her grand daughter. She obliged happily and the little girl was prob wondering what the hell is this looming sleepy eye half awake foreigner wants from her!
Kamakura itself is a pretty litle town. It was established by a famous Genji warrior Yorimoto Minamoto the first Shogun in 1192 and here was his capital. Unfortunately or fortunately, there were some APEC people visiting the small town on the same day so traffic was massive nightmare with stalls and jams as the security were heighten and stopped public cars passing through at some point. In the temple, just after I entered the shrine, the rest of public who came later were stopped from entering for good 3 hours and so we few isolated fews were wandering inside with some APEC groups escorted by at least 2 dozens of MAN IN BLACK with ear pieces, ready to shoot on sight kinda demeanour.
In a way it was good because it wasnt as crowded but bad because they cornered some shrines off for their private viewing. A little miffed since I was wondering why are APEC delegates visiting and sight seeing if they should be here on business. And if its not the key people, then why are they getting such VIP treatment depriving the rest of tourist who made only be here once in their lifetime. These people really shouldnt get extra privileges unless its off opening hours...well, that's the thing with "power and status". All democracy and equality are bullshit. It sounds nice but hell hard to practice.
Anycase, arriving at Kita-kamakura station, our first stop was Engakuji Temple before we headed off to Kenchoji temple. The former was once ranked 2nd amongst the great 5 Zen temples and city's most cel;ebrated temple. The various buildings are arranged in a straight line with lovely old cedar tress to line the area. Kenchoji Temple on the other hand, is the first and greatest temple here. Things to see is the wooden statue of Hojo, the chap who renounced power to become monk.
I had wanted to take this because my partne and I made a private joke about the stance. She looked almost as if she was pondering "What should I do with all these money...." :)
At Kenchoji Temple, this section is usually closed off but there was a sign that stated it was special viewing for this period. Not sure if it was due to the APEC people. Regardless the reason, it was a beautiful dragon ceiling.
In the same temple, there is a hiking trail that leads to Zuisenji - the temple of flowers. The zen gardens is defined by camelias and roses. It was a beautiful day to walk up the steps but we didnt expect it to be sooo warm and hot that we were kinda overdressed and its not fun walking up with sweat streaming down your back....and sun shining on u.....On a good clear day, you will be able to see Fuji-san from up the top but it was a bad visibility day for us, so no luck.
Due to time constraint and bad traffic, we decided to skip a few other temples and instead of walking 30mins to Kamakura station, I decided to hop onto the bus instead which zoomed straight to the station and ply past the city town - komachi Dori Ave a shopping street. We swopped to the local train at Kamakura station to the local Enoden tramway to Hase station. Off to visit the big Buddha and Hase temple. The train was jam pack with people of all nationalities. Damn it was hot!
The Daibutsu (Great Buddha) is just maybe 5 -10 mins further up ahead of Hase temple. Situated within the Kotukuin Temple, this bronze statue (11.3m) towers in the middle, with 2 windows opening up at its back for people who bothered to Q to the get the kick of limited view out of the Buddha. If u are not interested in this, then honestly, dont bother to pay to come here. There is nothing here to see...
Hase temple was more interesting. It dates back to year 736. There are the 11 headed gilt statue of the Kannon (goddess of mercy) and carved in 721, is the tallest wooden figure left in Japan. No pictures are allowed so u wont see it here. Along the way, you can only get a view of the Yuigahama beach, which honestly looks more dirty than spectacular. I have heard someone said to me before that there are no clean beaches in Japan, I havent seen it close up so I cannot validate the claim but as far from I see, it isnt inviting...
Just round the corner there is a small low cave. We popped in to see more statues and little dens filled with small wooden figurines where people write on the back to pray for something...
I saw this 3 fellows along my stroll and they are sooo cute. almost begging u to leave some coins with them:)
Had a short day trip to Kamakura and it was a nice visit to the local shrines and because it was the Shichi Go San festival, a lot of little kids of 3, 5, 7 were dressed in their finest kimono running about with their parents. It was a nice visual treat as the little dolled up gals were really cute and they def relished in being the attention of the adults exclaiming their cuteness:) Proud parents esp dadddies were seen smiling and nodding thanks to compliments and taking photos of their precious:) On my last day in Tokyo, I worked up the courage to intrude on their private family time to approach the grandma and asked to take a picture with her grand daughter. She obliged happily and the little girl was prob wondering what the hell is this looming sleepy eye half awake foreigner wants from her!
Kamakura itself is a pretty litle town. It was established by a famous Genji warrior Yorimoto Minamoto the first Shogun in 1192 and here was his capital. Unfortunately or fortunately, there were some APEC people visiting the small town on the same day so traffic was massive nightmare with stalls and jams as the security were heighten and stopped public cars passing through at some point. In the temple, just after I entered the shrine, the rest of public who came later were stopped from entering for good 3 hours and so we few isolated fews were wandering inside with some APEC groups escorted by at least 2 dozens of MAN IN BLACK with ear pieces, ready to shoot on sight kinda demeanour.
Anycase, arriving at Kita-kamakura station, our first stop was Engakuji Temple before we headed off to Kenchoji temple. The former was once ranked 2nd amongst the great 5 Zen temples and city's most cel;ebrated temple. The various buildings are arranged in a straight line with lovely old cedar tress to line the area. Kenchoji Temple on the other hand, is the first and greatest temple here. Things to see is the wooden statue of Hojo, the chap who renounced power to become monk.
The Daibutsu (Great Buddha) is just maybe 5 -10 mins further up ahead of Hase temple. Situated within the Kotukuin Temple, this bronze statue (11.3m) towers in the middle, with 2 windows opening up at its back for people who bothered to Q to the get the kick of limited view out of the Buddha. If u are not interested in this, then honestly, dont bother to pay to come here. There is nothing here to see...
Distant view of the beach.
A crysanthium flower fair. The flowers were huge!
A corner to pray and pay respect for the deceased.
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