Not a "Scoop" at all

Gave this film a shot because of "Match Point" I caught on the plane in the summer. I'm not a fan of Woody Allen, after all. Would really wanna hear from some of his fans telling me what's so good about his movies. Anyway, I expected a so-called light-hearted movie about an almost naive journalist Sondra Pransky (Scarlett Johansson) trying to scoop a big story hinted by a ghost (a dead journalist) about this aristocrat Peter Lyman (Hugh Jackman - just love his accent! :)) being a tarot card killer. Woody Allen casted himself as Sid Waterman, a magician. Sondra dragged Sid into this 'investigation' but she turned out giving her heart to the suspect without knowing herself being in jeopardy. The ending was quite disappointing and Allen's role is as annoying as how Sondra felt towards Sid at times. Not surprising and not entertaining at all. I remembered I struggled to choose "Metrosexual" instead of "Scoop" - a total failure.

給我的女朋友們

今天他跟我說：為什麼妳的女朋友們在愛情路上都那麼不幸運？
我跟他說：我也不知道。

正在拍拖的妳們、單身的妳們、失戀的妳們：
妳們都是我的好朋友，
都是充滿優點，也有缺點的平常人。
平常人都經歷這些吧 －
在拍拖的，有時候很甜蜜，有時候不是也常常為他們的自私、遲鈍而感到不開心嗎？
單身的，雖然常常很想嚐戀愛的滋味，但是又不能馬馬虎虎找個張三李四便拍拖嗎？
失戀的，也許常常想到跟他們有多開心的時候，卻不能忘記他們對自己的不解溫柔嗎？
而我呢，我也是平常人，我也有走過這些路。
有一刻，這個他曾令我以為可以付託終身；
那一刻，我很想跟那個他拍個散拖；
有一刻，另一個他令我心痛得每晚都要哭過才睡；
這一刻，我感到一刻的滿足，但是我又擔心下一刻。
我們都是平常人，但是我們每一個人都是與別不同的。而因為大家的不同，要找一個能一起相處的同伴也著實很難。找到了，很怕失去；找不到，可是還有一絲期待。

All's fair in love and war

Be as HYSTERIC as no one can imagine
Be who you really are and who you can potentially be
And be who you are not?

Look at you, how a love-struck woman you've become!

《人來人往》

朋友已走　剛升職的你舉杯到凌晨還未夠
用盡心機拉我手
纏在我頸背後　說你男友有事忙是借口
說到終於飲醉酒
情侶會走　剛失戀的你哭乾眼淚前來自首
寂寞因此牽我手
除下了他手信後　我已得到你沒有
但你我至少往後　成為了蜜友

閉起雙眼你最掛念誰　眼睛張開身邊竟是誰
感激車站裡　尚有月台能讓我們滿足到落淚
擁不擁有也會記住誰　快不快樂留在身體裡
愛若能夠永不失去　何以你今天竟想找尋伴侶

誰也會走　剛相戀的你先知我們原來未夠
借故鬆開我的手
藏在貼紙相背後　我這苦心開過沒有
但試過散心旅遊　如何答沒有

閉起雙眼我最掛念誰　眼睛張開身邊竟是誰
感激車站裡　尚有月台曾讓我們滿足到落淚
擁不擁有也會記住誰　快不快樂有天總過去
愛若為了永不失去　誰勉強娛樂過誰
愛若難以放進手裡　何不將這雙手放進心裡

時間會走　剛失戀的我開始與旁人攜著手
但甚麼可以擁有
纏在那頸背後　最美麗長髮未留在我手
我也開心飲過酒

Boost 'boost' and make a boost

'BOOST' is a word we should all know.
Why?
It appeared five times on the headlines when I read the two local English newspapers - you just can't miss out!

LEARN it:

boost
verb [T]
to improve or increase something:
The theatre managed to boost its audiences by cutting ticket prices.
Share prices were boosted by reports of the President's recovery.
I tried to boost his ego (= make him feel more confident) by praising his cooking.

boost
noun [C usually singular]
when something is boosted:
The lowering of interest rates will give a much-needed boost to the economy.
Passing my driving test was such a boost to my confidence.

The bard's '55' for the world

Not marble, nor the gilded monuments
Of princes, shall outlive this powerful rhyme;
But you shall shine more bright in these contents
Than unswept stone, besmear'd with sluttish time.
When wasteful war shall statues overturn,
And broils root out the work of masonry,
Nor Mars his sword, nor war's quick fire shall burn
The living record of your memory.
'Gainst death, and all oblivious enmity
Shall you pace forth; your praise shall still find room
Even in the eyes of all posterity
That wear this world out to the ending doom.
So, till the judgment that yourself arise,
You live in this, and dwell in lovers' eyes.

My Dominant Intelligence

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.

What Kind of Intelligence Do You Have?

他和她的故事（四）

過了不知多少個夜晚，他和她的晚上都是拿著電話筒渡過。說東說西，他們似乎是有說不完的話題。

在某一夜，他說起自己很喜歡唱歌，問了她想聽他唱什麼歌。提了許許多多的歌，他突然說有一首歌很想唱給她聽，是古巨基的《中箭》。她說從來沒有聽過，他卻說不要緊。接著，他透過電話唱了這首歌：

　她恨下雨天　她酷愛古典樂　她沈默寡言　她時常逛書店
　那一天她講了　丘比特常失手　愛情太危險　
　她跟我約好了　讓彼此自由一點
　
　*我開始思念　和她的每一天　聊了一整夜　說自己的從前
　忽然在心裡面　我隱約有一種痛的感覺　
　也許是我　被她命中了　我心中的缺

　#我猜是我中了箭　在遇上她第七天　那一瞬間　我有些暈眩　
　像全世界　從此被偷走時間
　我中了愛情的箭　很痛但是心很甜　我躲不開　也不想避免　
　她沒發現　郤在我身上應驗　 我中了一箭

唱完了這首歌，他歎了一聲，說了一句話：「為什麼我不一早就認識妳？」

她沒有回應，因為她的心很甜，卻同時也很痛。因為，她知道他已有女朋友。

一點點光

那根木條燃燒著
末端的火光
與黑夜的天空是強烈的對比
黃黃的一團火
在躍動
我用這團火在空中畫了幾個圈
寫了幾個字
全都投射在腦海裏
它們都消失了
連火團也消失了的時候
那依然靜俏俏地燃燒著的火
變了金黃色
沒有剛才的拼勁
卻有不屈的精神
靜靜地
又在燃燒著

How Do I Live (sung by LeAnn Rimes)

How do I get through one night without you?
If I had to live without you
What kind of life would that be?
Oh I need you in my arms
Need you to hold
You're my world my heart my soul
If you ever leave
Baby you would take away everything good in my life

And tell me now
How do I live without you?
I want to know
How do I breathe without you?
If you ever go
How do I ever, ever survive?
How do I
How do I
Oh how do I live?

Without you
There'd be no sun in my sky
There would be no love in my life
There'd be no world left for me
And I
Baby I don't know what I would do
I'd be lost if I lost you
If you ever leave
Baby you would take away everything real in my life

If you ever leave
Well baby you would take away everything
Need you with me
Baby don't you know that you're everything good in my life

And tell me now
How do I live without you?
I want to know
How do I breathe without you?
If you ever go
How do I ever, ever survive?
How do I
How do I
Oh how do I live?
How do I live without you?
How do I live without you baby
How do I live

An editorial from BC Magazine (14/9)

"On another matter, wasn't it lovely to see the great and talentless of the local entertainment industry bonding to complain about something meaningful - sadly it wasn't about the imprisonment of a blind journalist in China, nor was it about pollution, global hunger... nor even about a flash of bra strap and some back-stage photos. Voyeuristic probably, and out of order if the pictures were of a member of the public, but Gillian Chung of pop duo Twins is not any old joe shmo, she's a 'celebrity,' an actress and singer who has used the media to fuel her ascent to superstardom, riches and the glamorous lifestyle she now enjoys. The hypocrisy of her position and her inane comment about the effect of the pictures on her young fans thus have no need of comment. Gillian, if I may be so informal, without the mass-market magazines and the paparazzi you would probably still be just another office girl. I suspect that as Gillian (massive publicity), Easy Finder (increased sales) and other local media (again increased sales) all benefited from the photos, so expect to see more voyeuristic exposes conveniently timed to coincide with said artist's new film, album, tour etc. Now if only they could find something worthwhile to complain about, or make better use of the time by learning to sing."
*****
I just couldn't agree more with what Simon said. The whole thing is a farce.

M.E.

Two dreams -
With shots of faces in subconsiousness
Reminding them of their coherence
Those eyes that meet with sparks
And conversations filled with laughs
The repulsion of generation between this woman and man
Yet unites them with the touch of hands

Two shadows of wish
Now become one of hers and his

Trip to Britain -- Day 9 -- Edinburgh -> Stirling

It wasn't a very good sleep coz of the cold. My throat was dry and nose stuffy - damn!

Fanny brought me to the Writer's Museum, featuring the famous Scot literary figures - Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson. I was nice building donated by a 'LADY'. Anyway, we walked between the rooms which exhibited some of the manuscripts, books and poetry by these great writers. Yet the gift shop was quite disappointing with nothing much but several postcards on the rack and few copies of the writers' works. Well, the good thing about it was that I could save the money for 'souvenirs'!

Then, we rushed to the train station, aiming to catch the train to Stirling. I really wanted to thank Fanny of checking train schedule, helping me with the ticket machine and seeing me to the platform - what a considerate friend! She didn't join me as she's been to Stirling for two times. Certainly would bore her to death if she joined. What she would do in the afternoon I guess would be taking a nice nap (HAHA!) and preparing for dinner! (She said she would make a Chinese soup! :))

The train to Stirling was a bit delayed but it managed to arrive at 1pm. I straightly grabbed two postcards and sent them back to HK on the platform (there was a mini WH Smith shop). While I was wondering how to get to Stirling Castle (coz it's heard that it would probably take 30 mins to walk up the hill), I bumped into a train assistant to enquire the way to my destination. It turned out to be just a 10-min walk from the city centre! That's why I decided to take my time and have lunch at O'Brien's (hand-cut sandwiches). Let me say, that's the best sandwich I had ever had in this trip! It's YUMMY! It's the special of the day, tootsies with bacon, sausage, tomatoes and radish. Most of all, it's HOT!

Trip to Britain -- Day 8 -- York -> Edinburgh

The terrorists' attack news was overwhelming - heard that thousands were stranded at the airports all over Britain, not to mention Heathrow. The stupid security measure included a transparent plastic bag to contain all your 'handcarry' stuffs and mind you, no liquids whatsoever to be arried onto the plane. A hilarious scene would be seeing moms drinking the baby food (milk?) for security check in front of the customs... OH MY GOD!!! :D

Anyway, I would definitely phone up Qantas in the coming days to ensure my flight back to Hong Kong was all right.

One of the highlights today was my breakfast. I'd been expecting cereals, yoghurts, milk, juice, toasts and a full English breakfast (with sausages, bacons, baked beans, eggs and sad to say, black pudding) - and YES, all were granted!!! Except that the eggs were fried instead of scrambled; I was happy to miss out black pudding! :P

I thanked the B&B owner for the hospitality when I checked out. I really wanted to stay longer. Next time, I should grab someone with me to try the double/twin room of this B&B and the ghost trail in York.

(See the long queue here? That's for Jorvik! ->)

Then, it came to my almost final destination of my trip in York - Jorvik Viking Centre. The guidebook had already warned about long queues - well, I saw one myself when I got there, not surprisingly. It took about half an hour for me to get in. Interesting time machine, nice ride (but not with the horrible smell inside the tunnel... YUCK!) and detailed exhibition of the viking communities. After the centre, I went to St. Mary's Church (ruins) and then the train station for my train to Edinburgh.

The ride was alright though it lasted for almost 3 hours - I read Lynn Truss's book all the way and enjoyed my Walkers' crisps.

(<- Gorgeous! One of the festival venues)
Finally, I met Fanny at the train station and our first stop was of course her flat. There're seas of people all over the streets because of the annual Edinburgh Fringe Festival and almost every person you saw gave out flyers or received flyers of the arts activities. Phew!

I unloaded the big burden on my shoulders which approximately weighed about 15kg by then. One bad thing I found was, unfortunately, that I caught a cold during my stay in York! So SAD! I had to take LEMSIP instantly! Anyway, Fanny and I had some nice chat coz we hadn't seen each other for TOO long. We went out for groceries and had our dinner at KFC, our FAVOURITE! Haha!

After dinner, we had a leisure walk around the town. We strolled around some of the university buildings, Homebase and festival venues. At about 9 something, we headed back home!

PS. Edinburgh was much colder than other places I had been to that I needed to wear the 'warm' jacket! And mind you, it's so WINDY.

(Just see how COLD I was!)

Trip to Britain -- Day 7 -- York

Quite a good sleep again last night - brilliant! It's indeed something to do with the 'thickness' of the pillow! I got up at 8.15am so taht I could have enough time to wash up, pack stuffs and have my breakfast. My backpack was about to EXPLODE! Well, who cares? Thank Karen for her 'capable' bag! :D

I checked out at 9.45am and headed to King's Cross. The train was not yet prepared when I got there at 10.10am. My shoulders couldn't stand the weight of the backpack and I could feel the pain at my back, knees and feet! Finally, I got a seat and quickly put down the backpack - what a relief! The guy sitting next to me, as I found out, was going ot Hartlepool, Newcastle, hehe! He had a weird accent - when he's talking on the phone, I could only understand 60% of his conversation. Anyway, it's a FULL train, coz it's running from London to Aberdeen! GOODNESS! It'd be 7 hours altogether for the whole journey! York's only the 2nd stop of it!

The train arrived at 12.30pm and I rushed to ask for left luggage! :) Then, I was only carrying my small bag for this trip in York! HURRAY!!! Believe me, I was actually STUNNED by the first sight of York when I got out of the station. What I could see were huge walls surrounding some parts of the city!!! And the most amazing thing was people indeed walked on the walls to travel from one part of the city to the other! I was more appealed by the city centre with River Ouse (rhymed with 'muse') cutting through and lots of gorgeously decorated shops. I managed to get a place to have lunch - Michael's Brasserie. The main reason of choosing it was the special menu - roast beef and yorkshire pudding with gravy - traditional English cuisine!!! It cost me almost 8 quids for the food but it's worth every penny of it! (I just LOVE the gravy so much!)

After lunch, I really need to get to the guest house and 'unload' stuffs (my backpack, OK?!). It's a 5-min walk from the city centre in a quieter area but loaded with B&Bs. Mine was just - EXCELLENT. Absolutely cozy with bed, wardrobe, desk, shower, basin - utterly CLEAN!!! What should I say? 28 quids with such a lovely place to stay in along with breakfast - highly recommended! The owner was nice and most important of all, he showed me how to open the window! :D

I walked back to the city centre, visiting the famous York Minster. It contained the world's largest medieval stained-glass - the Great East Window. It's also the largest gothic cathedral in Nothern Europe - amazing! However, the 'cost' of maintaining it was unbelievably high - which was about 3,000,000 pounds per year, as the 'minutes of history' suggested - goodness me! That's also why almost each major part had to receive entrance fee - the main cathedral area, the tower, and the undercloft, treasury and crypt. Well, it's worth the money but I'd better save mine! :P After all, I'm not a 'religious' person.

Later, I went to Clifford's Tower, which resembled very much of what I visited in Kenilworth. A remaining part (tower) of the York Castle - how SAD! Anyway, this time I made use of the camera to photo myself. The panoramic view up on the tower was breathtaking - UM!!!


For my own interest, I found the entrance to the city walls, and I climbed and walked from Cromwell Road (castle area) to Micklegate. It's just wonderful while you're high on the walls and on your left were roads and on the right residential areas. I wondered if any other cities in the world would have this amazing 'architecture'!

Getting back to the city centre, I was disappointed with all the shops, including internet cafes, closed. I bumped into a supermarket called Budgen for fruit and water, and a bakery for cornish pie and sandwich. The pie was... rather... not my cup of tea. I actually avoided the crust as Ian Wright said it wasn't meant to be eaten in his TV programme (when he visited Cornwall)! :P

Since the weather wasn't that good (getting cloudy), I rushed back 'home' and looked forward to enjoying my time in my cozy room. The dinner was chicken tikka salad sandwich and loads of white grapes - healthy stuffs. There came my interesting experience ever of having a shower in a corner of my bedroom! I really wanna get someone to take a picture of me, haha, but it's a dream!



Buried myself into the bed, I read 'Eats, Shoots and Leaves' (cost me only 4.99 quids for hardcover) and I fell into sleep at 10.30pm.

Trip to Britain -- Day 6 -- Shakespeare's Hometown

What can you ask for with a DEEP sleep after two nights of torture? I slept from 9pm last night till 3am (woke up by a call) and then 5.50am today. Though I really wanted to carry on with the sleep, I had to get up, wash myself and get ready for my 'ultimate' journey - Stratford-upon-Avon!!! Believe me or not, it's already my THIRD time visiting this Shakespeare's birthplace. It's like... 'going home'.

It's kind of cool today and it's really a scene to see an Asian girl wearing tee and shorts (how brave she was!). Well, I'm quite sure she didn't know much about the weather in the UK, haha!!! She's shivering when people were waiting for the train to Stratford-upon-Avon at Leamington Spa. I got into a nap on the train - guess I needed plenty apart from the hours I had last night. Anyway, when it's finished, it was time to get off!

The train station seemed 'alien' to me - so desolate everywhere. And I couldn't recall walking to the city centre. How unbelievable! I wasn't sure at all; it's either I had a poor memory or I took the coach in the past two times.

Everyone seemed to have a clear direction - Royal Shakespeare Theatre. I got the tickets from the box office, grabbed every leaflet for the Complete Works Festival (Can you believe it? Ian McKellen is going to play the title role in King Lear early next year!!!), and bought myself the programme for Henry VI. By the way, the riverside was the same in my memory - splendid scenery it had. To my surprise, the performance was 3 hours and 10 mins!!! (What should I do with the 2nd one at 3pm, when I planned to go back to London by the 5.40 train?) Finally, I decided to sit back and enjoy the show, and would figure things out after the performance and lunch.

It's definitely exciting for me as it's the FIRST RSC performance I saw - absolutely fabulous! The actors and actresses were undoubtedly brilliant. I liked Earl of Gloucester and Talbot most as they're just so convincing and moving in their roles. The theatre I went was the newly built the Courtyard Theatre. It's nothing like the globe except for the shape I guess. The stage allowed actors/actresses entering from different directions where they could get so close to the audience. It's certainly amazing to be the audience (for FREE) while others had to pay at least 5 quids for the show! :)

I rushed to the city centre after the performance so as to catch lunch. Hussain's was closed - disappointed! It's said to be Ben Kingsley's favourite Indian restaurant. Then, I just bumped into The Oppo, a fine Italian restaurant. The set menu served cold poached salmon salad with watercress, asparagus and new potatoes, following a dessert of strawberry and cream and short bread. The cost? Well, the most expensive in this trip!

After lunch, I walked to Holy Trinity Church. A SAD feeling just rushed into my heart when I was entering the church. That feeling was disturbed though when the grave of Shakespeare was 'guarded' and everyone entering it had to donate 1.50 quids - money sucker! (Not in terms of the amount of money, but how they get money from the dead!)


(from left to right: River Avon, Shakespeare's grave, Shakespeare's birthplace)

I gave up the idea of watching the 3pm performance coz I couldn't afford to go back to London so late at night. So, the rest of the time I was strolling everywhere and taking pictures. The train back to London was LONG and the sad thing was I couldn't sleep...

My dinner turned out to be Burger King since it's difficult to get anything in Barbican at 8.30pm. It's lucky that I bought a can of potato & leek soup last night, so that would become my 'entree' then! :)
A BIG mission tonight was to pack all stuffs into my backpack! Well, it's not as difficult as I thought! The only thing left in my small pack was my slippers! :D

Trip to Britain -- Day 5 -- Stonehenge & Salisbury

A bad sleep AGAIN! I was 'on and off' sleep till 3am and couldn't sleep because of the noise from the streets and the next room. There're obviously two men talking in that room and they're just too close to the windows that I could hear their voices CLEARLY! GOODNESS ME! I had the thought of calling the security guards to WARN the guys next door! I listened to mp3 music but of course, the 'sound' was just as disturbing. Finally, I needed to move to the other side of the bed to sleep - until GOD KNOWS WHEN, I fell asleep. Not long later, it's already the morning - BLOODY HELL!!! (Sorry for the offensive words, but you can see how frustrated I was!)

The first stop of the day was Marylebone where I needed to change my train ticket to Wednesday for Stratford-upon-Avon. Thank god - the ticket assistant actually saved me from paying the 10 quids for this change. I was late then for my planned schedule for Stonehenge (Salisbury). Anyhow, this was the place I wanted to go, not Avebury or Old Sarum where I could have visited if I set off earlier. ('Thanks' to the noises last night!)

The train ride was GREAT for me with nothing but SLEEP. I even set the alarm to go off at about time of arrival so that I wouldn't end up in the middle of nowhere. This was how I regained my energy for the day to spend. Yet, after the ticket check, I was unable to get into sleep. :(

When I got off the train, I didn't get the Explorer ticket then coz I thought the round-trip would be more suitable for my journey. It turned out to be THE SAME! (of 6.99 quids!!!) If I had known it's the case, I'd have got myself the Explorer (at least that's something as souvenir!)

It's a UN on the bus - loads of people of different nationalities. I bet no one could tell me when to get off! :D A nice bus ride coz it's FAST and the scenery was superb.

STONEHENGE - a stone circle was what I saw that appealed to every visitor. Extremely mysterious of how people put those big stones into the shape. It must have cost millions of lives, sadly, like the Great Wall in China. One important thing I must say was the weather. Unlike yesterday, the sky was blue, the clouds were white and the sun - was at its 'peak'. It's so BOILING HOT and I had to put my hat and sun lotion on! The audio helped explaining the history of Stonehenge but I was feeling the boiling blood in me I had to rush for the seeing. The lunch I had there was good enough - a sandwhich with tuna mayonnaise and sweet corn.

I headed to the city centre of Salisbury at 1pm. It's a small town I would say but I loved the 'simplicity'. The stroll around the city centre was relaxing and I had taken some nice pictures. My main stops where the post office and most of all, Salisbury Cathedral. The cathedral was HUGE! The 4-quid donation was worth paying while St Paul's Cathedral charged you lots more for nothing but 'looking' - here, at least we could take photos! Since I wasn't at all a 'religious' person, I didn't join the guided tour. Besides, there're heaps of nannies in the group - NO WAY!


(from left to right: River Avon to Salisbury Cathedral, garden view, inside the cathedral)

I took the 4.20 train back to London Waterloo. Getting tired after last night and the day trip, I returned to Barbican and gave up the theatre idea - wise choice, after all. I could sleep at 9pm.

Trip to Britain -- Day 4 -- The Millenium Mile

The bed was 'unbelievably' soft that my back actually ached and I felt like I hadn't slept for ages. BAD!!! What's worse, the English weather had come back - grey sky and clouds and odd showers. The only good thing about travelling alone was to schedule own itinerary, like when to set off. I got up at 8am! Last night I bought myself cereal bars and (whole) milk for breakfast - fantastic! Though it's a terrible sleep I had last night, the breakfast was refreshing.

I set off at about 9.30am in order to catch off-peak tubes to places. But before that, I had to get myself an umbrella. It turned out to cost me bloody 9.50 quids!!! But, what could I do?

One good thing about rain was that it brought cooler weather. I arrived at Tower Hill station and there're already crowds of people pushing their ways to Tower of London. Don't wanna join them at all for 'jewellery exhibition'. But well, they're going to see the glamourous Great Star of Africa diamond, the largest and finest cut in the world!

I walked past the Tower Bridge and began my 'Millenium Mile' journey. The Design Museum was not in sight but I caught two interesting hip architecture, Greater London Authority Headquarters and the Scoop (what a good name!).


(from left to right: Tower Bridge, Greater London Authority Headquarters, The Scoop)

The most amazing stop along the Millenium Mile was certainly Shakespeare's Globe Theatre for me! It's hard (yet easy) to believe the tickets to any Shakespearean plays were mostly sold out, except the standing (yard tickets). Well, I just didn't think my legs could stand the 2-hour performance. I actually gave up the idea but access the theatre by joining the theatre tour. The tour (including the exhibition) cost me 9 quids (holy s***!). The experience was nice after all. Not only would I be able to see the globe theatre, the tour guide had been extremely resourceful as to provide us with lots of information, namely the difference between the seats, the yard standing, and the puritans vs theatre. And of course, some more quids were 'lost' at or 'sucked' from the shop! :D

I was so indulged in the Shakespeare's tour, I almost forgot the time. It's already 12 when I stepped out from my 'wonderland'! The next destination was Tate Britain (by 1pm) - NO WAY! I walked as quickly as I could, passing Tate Modern and Gabriel's Wharf, stopping a while for Southwark Cathedral, getting quick lunch at the film cafe of National Film Theatre, and sweeping Jubilee Garden and London Eye. At last, I managed to get to Lambeth Bridge by 1.30pm and got my way to Tate Britain. By the way, the walk was just FANTASTIC along south bank!

I rushed to the galleries for Turner; lucky enough I caught the guided tour up in the first hall of the Turner galleries. Just loved the 'free' and 'paid' tours today coz these really helped people know more about what they couldn't get from the audio commentary.

After Tate Britain, I headed to Oxford Circus for the TIC, yet turned out to be a shopping tour - at FCUK and Clarks. I bought a bag and 2 pairs of shoes (GOODNESS!). My legs sore and I decided to give up TIC and went to Leicester Square for theatre ticket (esp. Les Miserables).

Les Miserables didn't have good seats and at the time, I got a call from Luica. We planned to meet up at Tottenham Court Road for books and dinner. But before that - time for unloading!

I bought three good books - The Time Traveller's Wife, On Beauty and Freakonomics for around 17 quids - still a bargain. While I was worrying over how to pack all things into my backpack later on, we reached the fine Italian restaurant, Carluccio's. GREAT MEAL! Most of all, I enjoyed the chat with Luica about all things! :)

Trip to Britain -- Day 3 -- London Market Walks 2

Woke up at 8am. It's not a very good sleep coz I could feel the tiredness, yet I brought myself up and took the notebook to write down what happened yesterday. Finally, I washed myself at around 9am and I felt more refreshed.

A nice coffee was my breakfast - a stimulating drink. We went to Columbia Street, the 'flower market', together (this time with Brad, too! :)) by bus. What a comfy ride! I couldn't actually take a bus myself here unless I knew pretty well about the bus route! After getting off the bus, we could see people carrying pots of plants from the other side of the street - could really tell where the market was then. We came across an upstairs 2nd hand bookshop but the price was still too high. Anyway, we squeezed ourselves into the crowds and later found a shop selling salami, olives, bread, cheese and balsamic vinegar!

We walked to another market - Spitalfields and passed Brick Lane, a famous place for Indian food. I tried the salt beef bagel there (extremely nice to go with mustard!). The bagel itself was just so-so.

The market fascinated me with contrasting styles - old and modern. It was loaded with massive variety of goods - mainly clothes, accessories, photos, etc.

(<- Luica and Mandik, taken at Spitalfields)
Finally, we went back to Bow by the same bus (No.8). It's so bloody hot on the bus - like sauna as Luica said. I packed and got ready to City University Finsbury Residence at 4.45pm. I said a brief goodbye to Luica and Brad - but I really owed them a BIG THANKS!!! They had given me a nice start for my trip in Britain - comfy bed, nice meals and drinks, and wonderful walkabouts. Most of all, meeting friends is always FUN!

I took the tube to Barbican - it's so quiet everywhere on the streets. Anyway, simple check-in, I paid the money and got the key to my 4-night home. The room was clean enough with the basics. I mean what more I could ask for for 21 quids per night? The kitchen, though, was a bit messy so I decided not to eat there! I put down stuffs and ran quickly to supermarket. I saw costcutter on my way from the tube station to the residence but I wanted to take a walk round the place first. Luckily, I saw some people carrying Tesco bags from another direction, so I just follow the 'clue'. GREAT! There's a Tesco Express just one street away from the residence. I bought the 'necessary' things - water, milk (:D), cereal bars and my dinner! I decided to explore the residence for some time so I didn't go anywhere else. Having unpacked all the stuffs, I could just relax and plan for my journeys in the coming days.

MISS YOU ALL!!!

My room at City University Finsbury Residence:

Trip to Britain -- Day 2 -- London Market Walks 1

We all got up at around 10am. A good sleep worths a million after taking long-haul flight! We had a cup of coffee and then Luica and I went to Portobello Market.

Crowds of people were squeezing into the market and I could really say we're rubbing shoulders! One horrible (but exciting thing) happened - an Asian woman suddenly slapped another (Jewish?) young lady's face. At first, I though it's more like women fighting for men, but it turned out to be pickpocketing. Anyway, it became HIGHLIGHT of the day!

We bought a strawberry and cream pancake and a box of fried seafood (with mussels, king prawns and crab claws) from the market and sat down to enjoy them on stairs. Wonderful food - at least a bargain with loads of seafood.

(Drinking at the George Inn ->)

We then headed to Borough Market - a food market, and I bought some dried cranberries. Later, we got ourselves some drinks at the George Inn. It calimed to be well known by Shakespeare and Dickens for its hospitality - well, who knows? :D Anyway, we spent the time there before the dance performance at Roundhouse.

The performance was TERRIFIC, with music and dance - the vibrance was intense and every audience enjoyed the freedom of moving around so much. GREAT show! By the way, it's called 'Fuerzbruta' - gotta find out what it meant.


After the performance, Brad joined us for dinner at Canary Wharf. We had fabulous chicken-wing meal. Sorry for Brad. He couldn't choose anything from the menu - too oily I guess! We then went to a pub for a dinrk after the meal. Nice!



One important thing I did today was to purchase the Oyster card (equivalent to HK's Octopus card), see:

Trip to Britain -- A LONG Day 1 -- HK->London

Zzzzzzzzzzzz... Haven't slept for almost 21 hours - testing my limits. Now that I'm extremely exhausted, I'd definitely try to sleep the most hours in the long-haul flight! The record last time was only 4 hours (2 in each 'session') in a 13-hour flight journey. The midnight spent was not as bad as I thought - thank god I slept till 12noon the day before. When I finished packing, it's just 2am. When it's 4.30am, I called the taxi driver up and I took a shower. It felt like a fresh day ahead after that, yet started to feel 'dumb' (or 'idle') when I was in the taxi. A 'bargain' journey - just HK$200.
The plane was delayed till 10am. One very bad thing about the arrangement was the communication of the staff. One was telling us to go to the lounge while another told us to get breakfast from the food court worth less than HK$45.

(<-- A nice French family with cute kids - in the airport terminal)
Torturing waiting till 9 something, I actually struggled to pull myself from falling asleep - yet, I was damn tired! Got on the plane at last at about 9.45am. After waiting for the two people next to me to settle down, I instantly fell asleep before the flight took off - not surprising to me at all! The sleep lasted for 2 and a half hours when the flight attendants woke me with the trolleys and the smell of the breakfast. Got up, took the breakfast (Chinese dim sum with 'siu mai', dumplings, fried bean curd rolls and a meat bun), watched 'Match Point' using Movie-On-Demand, I fell asleep again. This time it lasted for 3 hours - I broke the record! I slept for 5 and a half this time on a 12-hour flight journey. I felt much better after the two naps and then I watched '8 Elbows' and enjoyed the nice snack pack at the same time.

I like Qantas about the service (or food) - I've never had FRUIT on the planes. This time it's not mixed fruit (sliced/diced) but the whole apple. Great! Snacks were fantastic with KitKat, water, mint sweets and crackers. And though the movies might not be as 'new' as I expected, I liked the 'MOD' and the massive variety of choices, with which I could choose my favourite ones at any time I wanted.

Having finished 'lunch' (beef in red wine sauce - just so-so!), it's 1 hour to land - GREAT!

The immigration didn't take long but the 'claim luggage' was CRAZY - took me almost 45 mins to get my backpack! Anyway, I took the bus No.20 (free shuttle) from Terminal 4 to Hatton Cross tube station, heading to Bow. The tube was so cramped at around 5pm - it's a bit embarrassing to squeeze myself out from the compartment.

Finally, I reached Luica's place in Bow Quarter - NICE one! We chatted for a while and it's already 8pm, so we went to get a drink at a pub nearby and a bar restaurant for dinner (Indian food). Luica and I chatted for some more time when she showed me her small library - the night ended with lots of laughters! :D

軟硬天師Long Time No See演唱會

曾幾何時與哥哥迷上軟硬，每日準時收聽《老人院》，很喜歡「整蠱電話」－「三sprite」（最深印象）。早前知道他們開演唱會，根本沒有機會買門票（星期一早上九時開售，那時還是七月頭）。今晚在機緣巧合下竟然有機會去看，實在很興奮。我最愛阿葛這個「軟天師」，他比較感性；阿Jan這個「硬天師」，他則比較像個「冷面笑匠」。想了一想，發覺自己有點像阿Jan，因此很喜歡阿葛。（很難明吧！）
聽回那些「廣播道Fans殺人事件」、「只因喜歡你」、「川保久齡大戰山本耀司」等等，很有回到「童年」時的感覺。很喜歡他們的歌、形象設計、舞台設計，還有那澎湃的現場氣氛（觀眾在紅館站起來的機會太少吧！）（原來，在燈暗的現場亮起手機的燈光是可以很美）。
最愛的還是阿Jan與阿葛憶述從相識到一起做節目、分開發展到一起開這個演唱會的過程。其中，在唱以下這首歌的時候，竟然有想哭的衝動：

朋友　我當你一秒朋友　朋友　我當你一世朋友
奇怪　過去再不堪回首　懷緬　時時其實還有
朋友　你試過將我營救　朋友　你試過把我批鬥
無法　再與你交心聯手　畢竟難得有過最佳損友

從前共你　促膝把酒傾通宵都不夠　我有痛快過你有沒有
很多東西今生只可給你　保守至到永久　別人如何明白透
實實在在踏入過我宇宙　即使相處到　有個裂口
命運決定了　以後再沒法聚頭　但說過去　卻那樣厚

問我有沒有　確實也沒有　一直躲避的藉口　非甚麼大仇　
為何舊知己　在最後　變不到老友　
不知你是我敵友　已沒法望透　被推著走　跟著生活流　
來年陌生的　是昨日　最親的某某

生死之交當天不知罕有　到你變節了　至覺未夠
多想一天彼此都不追究　相邀再次喝酒　待葡萄成熟透
但是命運入面每個邂逅　一起走到了　某個路口
是敵與是友　各自也沒有自由　位置變了　各有隊友

早知解散後　各自有　際遇作導遊
奇就奇在接受了　各自有路走
卻沒人像你讓我　眼淚背著流
嚴重似情侶　講分手

有沒有　確實也沒有　一直躲避的藉口　非甚麼大仇
為何舊知己　在最後　變不到老友
不知你又有沒有　掛念這舊友　或者自己　早就想通透
來年陌生的　是昨日　最親的某某
總好於那日我沒有　沒有　遇過某某

很有... 「觸景傷情」的感覺...

'Bizarre Love Triangle' by New Order

Every time I think of you
I get a shot right through
Into a bolt of blue
It's no problem of mine
But it's a problem I find
Living the life that I can't leave behind
There's no sense in telling me
The wisdom of a fool won't set you free
But that's the way that it goes
And it's what nobody knows
And every day my confusion grows
Every time I see you falling
I get down on my knees and pray
I'm waiting for the final moment
You say the words that I can't say

I feel fine and I feel good
I feel like I never should
Whenever I get this way
I just don't know what to say
Why can't we be ourselves like we were yesterday
I'm not sure what this could mean
I don't think you're what you seem
I do admit to myself
That if I hurt someone else
Then I'll never see just what we're meant to be
Every time I see you falling
I get down on my knees and pray
I'm waiting for the final moment
You'll say the words that I can't say
Every time I see you falling
I'll get down on my knees and pray
I'm waiting for the final moment
You'll say the words that I can't say

(*also excellently performed by Frente)

It was the SILENCE

It was an usual night
Loitering here and there
Noise from crowds of people
Noise from traffic
Banging, clashing, slamming -
You stood out from the crowd
That face -
Stunned, frozen with no expressions
Or with restricted emotions
You walked pass with him
No words
That gaze
That silence
Still remind me of the question
Unasked

為你

無論是晴是陰暗 無論快樂與憂心
期待漫長路有你共行
無論路程是遠近 無論面臨是苦困
仍然只想跟你過一生
誰沒被名利吸引 平淡卻是我所爭
期待漫長夜有你蒞臨
奉上熱誠地慰問 奉上肩膊做倚靠
平凡之中都已覺得興奮
講不出那樣吸引 或是命中緣份
能相識到你太幸運 誰令我安份
講不出那份感覺 像幻夢竟變真
而彼此感覺那點真
為你我情願改變 為你我願意犧牲
為你任何事我也都應允

這是你給我，也是我給你的一首歌

給妳們的信（二）

今天可算是我最後回學校的日子。友人問我有否很心酸的感覺，我想了一會，就答「沒有」。在答的時候閃過了這學校的每一個角落，都是一些死物－－所以，我真的對它們沒有感覺。現在再想起這最後一天，心往下沉－－腦海閃過的是一張張熟悉的臉孔，他與她們都是掛著笑臉的。

對於同事們，有好幾個很是感激。在同房的同事中，她們可是非常友善，經常幫助我解決問題。對於我這個messy的同事，她們很有patience－－多謝！其他教同科目的同事，有些在年中給予我很多在教學的意見，又提供教材，亦詳細解釋科組的運作－－多謝！對於這一年來與我分享快樂、憤怒、悲傷、興奮的心情的同事，我除了一聲「感謝」，也不知道說什麼好。容許我說：我們繼續保持聯絡吧！他與她們，都是掛著笑臉的好同事與朋友。

另外的「她們」呢－－都是我的小天使。這些小天使為我帶來許多的美夢，許多的歡樂，許多的期待。她們令我期待每一個教學日、每一課、每一刻；在課室內，她們是我的小天使。小天使就是每一天都很快樂的，她們愛說說笑笑，她們愛玩，她們也愛搗蛋。她們的活潑似乎都令我感到學校生活的愉快，特別是教學的愉快；雖然她們也會懶惰，但是我總是會原諒她們的小惰性。因為，她們豐富了我第一年的教學生活，我的很多不足她們都容納了，而我對於她們的，又從可以太嚴厲？有時候，我真的發怒了，對不起，那都是因為我怕我的縱容會害了妳們。小天使依然是小天使，對於我，她們總是掛著笑臉；對於我，她們就是那麼令人疼愛的小天使。

其中的八十三張小天使的臉，尤其難忘。

我深深的吸了一口氣，那些影像悄悄地又回到我的記憶裏。

總值七百大元的三個半小時

去書展，又喜又悲，既訓練自己的腦筋，又鍛鍊自己的耐力。昨天的一役，事前先想好從哪出發－從尖沙咀碼頭坐渡輪到灣仔果然是輕鬆許多；繼而，進場後只集中最大的展覽廳亦是明智之舉。唯美中不足的是最後要到「迫過花市」的HALL 2而破壞了整日的好計劃... 唉！

以下是總值七百大元的斬獲（原來以為要「燒」了整張一千大元...）：

＊ 文化研究精讀本：

• Introducing Camus (Albert Camus, winner of Nobel Prize for Literature)
• Introducing Levi-Strauss and Structural Anthropology (Claude Levi-Strauss, the inventor of structural anthropology)
• Introducing Machiavelli (Niccolo Machiavelli, author of 'The Prince')

＊ 繪本：

• 一個人的第一次（圖文：高木直子）（已有的其他繪本：一個人住第五年，一個人上東京）
• 小蝴蝶小披風 Shiny and Moony（圖文：幾米）（已有的其他繪本：照相本子）
• 又寂寞又美好 Beautiful Solitude（圖文：幾米）

＊ 英語學習：

• 學生英語趣味詞林 The First Fun Thesaurus（Cindy Leaney, 商務出品）（近期買了好幾本商務出版的英語學習書籍－品質實在很好！）
• Longman Writing Guide (Upper Secondary) (Patricia Irvin)

＊ 電影效應：

• The Da Vinci Code (Special Illustrated Edition) (Dan Brown, Hardcover) (I just couldn't miss this out -- dying to get hold of one copy for long!)

還不是因為雙腳已成殘廢以及會場近乎「迫爆」狀態，大概會再多逛幾間然後「燒」盡餘下的三百大元。

捧著九本書回家的心情是愉快的，哈哈！

令我再一次感動的說話

今日收到一封email, 以下是一段她從某同學仔的blog所copied回來的說話:

「m mok 同 j ngan 都要走 la ,, 好唔捨得 tim~
唯有 form 3 我的 eng 堂是真正學到野的 >.<"
我讀 eng lit 都係想俾 m mok 教 ......... disappointed
i'll miss u always ]]*」

眼淚又不期然地掉下來... 心裏萬分謝意... 也有萬分歉意...

給妳們的信（一）

現在電腦屏幕前儘是咭、「作文」、玻璃樽...

今天竟然已是最後一天。
昨晚睡不好，今天的黑眼圈顯得特別「鮮明」。惡運的延續－－今早本打算早一點回來跟妳們拍拍照，卻中途遇上交通意外。對不起，讓妳們等了。
今天到禮堂本以為只是在台上坐著看，已經不幸地因遲了「霸位」而要坐第二行，更不幸是有關老師離開的宣佈（太尷尬），最不幸的還是要走到台前領紀念品－－真恐佈！實在說，完全不想往台下望，左邊前排是4B，另在右邊又看到4E的同學。眼神怕一接觸，便按捺不住...
心情很複雜，在唱校歌的時候，很想細心地看看禮堂，也看看正在唱歌的同學們。可是，就是「不敢」。
走的時候只想悄悄地走，奈何被某老師截停了。結果，還是要寒暄了幾句才離開。

有一件事妳們都很想知道－－我離開的真正原因；可是，我更想妳們知道其他老師離開的原因。這都是因為不想妳們「胡亂推測」，所以我很想在此「交代」及「澄清」：
（一）MR TANG 與 MS CHUNG － 提早退休，也許因為某些原因而感到太累
（二）MS WAN － 因申請提早退休不果而自動辭職，個人理由
（三）SR WINNIE － 雖然不十分清楚，但多是因為想為教會多服務而自動離職再由教會調配
（四）MR NGAN － 個人理由而辭職（並不是傳聞的被辭退）
這些老師大部份都是自動離職的，如有任何歪曲事實的傳言而令同學們對學校失去信心，希望妳們作為ST PAUL'S的一份子而代澄清。不過，請只說「資料來源由可靠人士提供」！:)

至於我，亦都因為近來在教員室的謠傳而開始感受到「人言可畏」。對於妳們，我可是很誠實。其實我早在上學期尾已感到自己並不會在ST PAUL'S教上許多年，這裏亦不是我理想的工作環境。這是一所天主教女校，起初一心想著教文學，奢想這裏會不同於德望，想法太天真。

我就是那些太放縱而不懂遵守規則的人，在這裏，我感到... 我的自由給扼殺了。我尊重別人的意見，我亦希望其他人尊重我；我挑戰「權威」並不是我存心攪破壞，而我只是討厭獨裁。在一些傳統的學校，我實在感到很吃力（不討好）。這只是選擇的問題，有些人愛有組織的，而我只不過不是那些人。

在新校，我所看見的是更大的自由度及多元化。雖然，正如Robert Frost在'The Road Not Taken'說，人們所見的有限，可我就以我所能看見的加上自己的一些期望，決心要去試一試。

四月與校長會面過，當時仍未拿定主意，學校當然有權出廣告招聘老師，以防萬一，亦可看看「市場上」有否更有資格的人選。後來，還是一邊廂找教席，一邊廂掙扎是否想多留一年。是，我只想多留一年，好讓我跟妳們走過中四中五。命運註定－－在學校還在會見招聘人選時，我已經有'offer'（一時想不起中文譯名）。聽過高人的意見後，決定離開。

我與學校任何一位「高層」並沒有任何爭執，亦沒有被人「問話」過，所以，真的希望那些誇張的傳言能暫停。當然，在需要的時候，我會表明自己的立場。

***

這是第一封信，很想交代以上這些令妳們對學校的誤解再一次反思。

與4E的緣

剛才翻開校刊, 突然發現... 當年的我原來讀4E!

For Bunny

Charming little face resembles so much of
How you look and smile
An angel?
Now the angel calmly lays
Growing minute by minute

'Knock-knock'
Who's there?
On the cold operating table
Kin most dearest to me
Yelping
And there I was
Near to her - my beloved in my life

To my dearest 4E gals

You all made my 28th birthday special because of your care for me. I held my tears back as I didn't want to spoil the heartwarming moments. When you're singing the birthday song to me, I was looking around to see all your lovely faces - the faces that I've been seeing for this year and those that I'll keep in my memory. THANK YOU SO MUCH! You should know I'm not an expressive person but I do want to say: I love you all!
Thanks again for making me feel different/special on this very day. What else can I ask for with such caring, charming and kind students?!

My Favourite Air Supply Song - Goodbye

I can see the pain living in your eyes
And I know how hard you try
You deserve to have so much more
I can feel your heart and I sympathize
And I'll never criticize all you've ever meant to my life

CHORUS
I don't want to let you down
I don't want to lead you on
I don't want to hold you back
From where you might belong

You would never ask me why
My heart is so disguised
I just can't live a lie anymore
I would rather hurt myself
Than to ever make you cry
There's nothing left to say but goodbye

You deserve the chance at the kind of love
I'm not sure I'm worthy of
Losing you is painful to me

CHORUS
You would never ask me why
My heart is so disguised
I just can't live a lie anymore
I would rather hurt myself
Than to ever make you cry
There's nothing left to try
Though it's gonna hurt us both
There's no other way than to say goodbye

My cousin's wedding

Last Saturday was my cousin's wedding (daughter of my dad's sister). It was a totally 'strange' experience.
I remembered we used to play together when we're still STUPID kids. Grandma always had to take care of us naughty ones. In fact, what she did was 'trapping' us into her room and let us SCREAMED and JUMPED around. I remembered my cousin and I liked to play girlie stuffs like dolls. Anyway, we're like good mates.
Things started to change when we're older, it's just about P.5 or P.6 that we hardly saw each other, contacted and talked to. Something went WRONG. Even if we saw each other, we felt embarrassed to initiate anything, like a chat. It's as if we're not meant to do things like we did before. It was around the time when I went up to secondary school.
Should I blame my dad for being tall and 'educated'? My cousin (and all other cousins) and even my aunts (my dad's sisters) always said (and even go as far as 'criticised') that our family (dad, my BIG brother and I) was strange as to be so tall (dad and brother were 5'10" ONLY and I was like 5'7"). And they're like... sorry to say, 'dwarves' to us (on average, they're not even 5-feet tall). They even isolated us as we're the 'educated' ones, saying things like 'Oh, you SMART ones wouldn't bother to talk to us STUPID lots'. It sounded nonsensical coz I treated them as relatives, not STRANGERS. If appearance and education do matter to them, we can't do anything but step back.
That's how my cousin and I have been putting our relationship farther and farther - till we've grown to keep our eye contact to the minimum.
And that's what all these have taken me to - a state of 'calmness'. I don't laugh too loud, cry too much and say... a lot (or simply, don't say anything).
Sitting in the round table with 11 other relatives around me, I couldn't feel anything but the alienation that has been overwhelming for years.

One touch is like confession.

今天的願望

今天的願望...

• 讓我精神飽滿，迎接新的一天
• 讓我穿上我最愛的衣裳，輕輕鬆鬆的走來走去
• 讓我充滿期盼的心情跟我上班
• 讓我跟他們都快快樂樂地過上課的一天
• 讓我帶著疲倦的身軀但滿足的心情回家去

這是每天的願望

我最欣賞的中國傳統藝術 -- 剪紙

一直非常著迷於剪紙藝術，完全不知道原因。

在剪紙大師精巧的手工下，我看到的不是一個美麗的圖案，

而是 － 唯美

。

"When there's life, there's hope"

You Raise Me Up

When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary
When troubles come and my heart burdened be
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence
Until you come and sit awhile with me

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders
You raise me up... to more than I can be

(sung by Westlife)

活著

活著實在不易

我們只是平凡人－－
從出世我們要學這學那
學會生存的規則

每天起床、刷牙、洗臉；
跟著吃早餐、搭車、上學；
然後守校規、排隊、上課；
接著做功課、溫習、睡覺。

這些過程中
我們有不同的角色－－
孩子、學生、朋友、市民
而每一角色
都有不同的演繹方法
我們都要不斷改變

有時候人生是美好的
受讚賞、被愛、受重視
有時候人生是痛苦的
被批評、枯竭、被忽略

美好的時候總想時間停留
不想它溜走
痛苦的時候
也總想停住時間
永遠留住那一刻的自己

要離開、要停止是容易的
可人生便是短暫、乏味的
要繼續、要活著是困難的
可人生便是豐富的
不論苦或樂

他和她的故事（三）

第二天，Cecilia跟朋友逛了街，很早便回到家。吃過晚飯後，她坐在電話旁，表面上是看著電視播放的劇集，實際上是期待著那個「承諾」了的電話。

等著等著，她腦海浮現了小學時的情景。

她現在回想起來，小學的時候，Billy就坐在她後面。他的笑聲總是那麼響亮。雖然他說的都是一些瑣碎事，對於她來說，她就是希望能努力記起每一件他說的事。

現在的他，在做什麼呢？

電話，就在她「胡思亂想」之際響起。

「喂？」
「Cecilia，這是Billy。妳果然是在家呀！現在有空嗎？」
Cecilia跟自己說：他的聲音聽起來就是那麼響亮。
「有空呀。剛才還在想你是否會致電給我。星期六的聚會怎麼啦？」

說說星期六的聚會只是用上了一兩分鐘的時間。不知不覺地，他和她又談起了其他事。

他談及自己中學時的興趣－－話劇與唱歌。正因為話劇團有男也有女，Cecilia自然地問起他有否在劇團結識女朋友。他答道中學時的女朋友都是團中的女主角，當然樣子是漂亮的。聽罷，Cecilia感到不是味兒。是妒忌嗎？

沉默的幾秒令Billy彷彿感到自己說錯了話，連聲說對不起。

奇怪的是，有什麼好對不起？

就在那沉寂的氣氛中，他和她都拿著電話，靜靜的感受著噗噗心跳。

他和她的故事（二）

那一天，他打了電話給她。就是這樣，兩顆心連繫了。

「Hello，請問Cecilia在嗎？」現在的他仍是帶著那時的聲音，就是多了一點沉鬱，一絲沙啞。
「你是誰呀？」Cecilia已不是從前文靜的她。也許她的「粗豪」把他嚇壞了。
「我... 我是Billy，你的小學同班同學...」惶恐的他吐了幾句話。
「什麼事呢？」
「妳怎麼跟從前的妳都不一樣，妳真的是那個文靜的班長嗎？」

她開始感到有點不好意思，只好收歛自己，說著：「是呀。畢業後都沒見面，你也不像從前的你，你現在是...」
「我在加拿大讀書，現在正放暑假，所以回來走一趟。」
她還以為這個頑皮的小學同學仍在香港，以為他沒有繼續唸上去。所以，她好奇地問：「你現在在大學主修什麼呢？」
「都是在讀些文科，如英文、哲學等。我最愛寫作的習作了。教授都叫我們作一些詩呀、小說呀、戲劇呀，不過那些都是胡亂之作，不能登大雅之堂。那妳呢？」那邊廂的他也好奇起來，究竟這個文靜的班長怎麼變得如此開朗。
「我？我也是唸英文呀，也有同樣的習作，...」

他和她就這樣談談讀書、大學、寫作、作家、興趣等等，談了三個多小時。

「...記得從前小學也有看這本著作，是劉ＸＸ借給我的... 哎呀，差點忘了這次找妳的主要原因。劉ＸＸ與我正準備在下個星期六晚上，相約一大伙小學同班同學會到 Hard Rock Cafe 一聚，妳有空來嗎？」那三個多小時的暢談令他對她愈感興趣，他期待著她的好消息，希望可以見面。

「星期六晚...，可以呀！」

聽到這個回覆，他雀躍萬分，還說了聲“YES!”

「怎麼啦？」雖然她這樣說，其實她也非常期待著與他的見面。聽了他的一聲歡呼，她很開心。

最後，他說第二天晚上會再致電給她告知詳情。掛線的時候，那已是深夜一時三十分了。

他和她躺在床上，回想著剛才的對話，期待著第二天晚上的來臨，盼望著那個星期六的聚會。不知不覺間，他和她都帶著微笑－－睡了。

他和她的故事（一）

就在那年的六月，他和她踫上了。

他從加拿大回來過暑假；而她正好完成大學第二年的課程，也在放暑假。

那年他和她的小學同學正準備一次聚會，機緣巧合下他被選中做聯絡的工作。結果，他打了電話給這位從小學畢業後也沒見面過的她。

他的名字是Billy，她是Cecilia。

Billy在小學的時候是胖子，現在的他...，還是先賣個關子。他的兒時玩伴全是班裏、校裏的「壞份子」，當然他也不是一個好孩子。他的每一日就是每一個欺凌同學的學生所做的－－聯群結黨在操場上大搖大擺地走著，還不時唬嚇周遭的學生。

Cecilia是班長。她所以被選為班長，也許只是因為她非常文靜。亦由於她很愛靜，她和其他同學都沒有談上什麼的。對於頑皮的同學，她不會太理會。可是，她心裏經常埋怨老師將她編與這些同學一起坐，害她不能集中精神上課。

Billy與Cecilia在小學最後的兩年，奇怪地，都沒有被編在一起。

就在那麼近的時候及環境，他和她始終沒有走在一起。他和她對對方的印象也隨著九年的歲月而慢慢地沖淡。

而就在那年暑假，他和她卻走在一起。

Step into the world of chaos - 'The Da Vinci Code'

Even if critics, friends and family (my mom, especially) attemtped to dissuade me from watching the controversial Ron Howard's movie (perhaps, including Dan Brown's top-of-the-list best-selling book), I kept my mind (also, my eyes) open to all goods and bads since I couldn't afford to miss one of Tom Hanks's.
I was amazed by how Howard actually presented all the 'codes' (symbols, that's what most people refer to according to symbology or semiotics) with excellent visual effects - especially like the ones of the mysterious anagrams to be solved by Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) and of the different 'hidden' images of 'The Last Supper' done by Sir Leigh Teabing (Ian Mckellen - my favourite 'Gandalf' in Lord of the Rings!). Obviously, those visual effects and 'codes' draw me once again to the interesting study of semiotics, which I found most difficult to be handled when I was still studying Cultural Studies at Chinese University.
Having no bias to the movie beforehand, I quite enjoyed myself 'exhausting' my brain with all sorts of questioning, thinking, guessing, rethinking and doubting. A wonderful experience, after all.
There's no doubt a disappointment to the fans of the actors and actress/es in the movie coz they didn't stand out at all. A rather poor ending with the discovery of the actual 'tomb' of Mary Magdalene (the most important role being questioned in this story) as in the Louvre (absolutely unconvincing).
However, if you haven't yet read the book and see yourself as somewhat 'unbiased', it's worth it to get a feel of the world of chaos - digging into the root of christianity and CHALLENGING the history. Don't go if you don't see it as FICTION.

'Proof'

You should have trusted me earlier - it's too late now.

從不知

我就過著我的每一天

開開心心的回到學校
糊里糊塗的上過課堂
小息時走來走去玩耍
跟你跟他談天與說地

我們的喜與愁
有些一起分享
也有一些悄悄地收起
在那短暫又長久的記憶

在那其中的'每一天'
我抬頭看見你
飛翔在那蔚藍空中
那掛在面上的笑臉
剎那間
泊在那血紅之中

現在
我才驚覺
原來記憶是空白的

A Melancholic ME...

You Have a Melancholic Temperament

Introspective and reflective, you think about everything and anything. You are a soft-hearted daydreamer. You long for your ideal life. You love silence and solitude. Everyday life is usually too chaotic for you. Given enough time alone, it's easy for you to find inner peace. You tend to be spiritual, having found your own meaning of life. Wise and patient, you can help people through difficult times. At your worst, you brood and sulk. Your negative thoughts can trap you. You are reserved and withdrawn. This makes it hard to connect to others. You tend to over think small things, making decisions difficult.

What Temperament Are You?

What type of writer should I be?

UNBELIEVABLE!!!

You Should Be a Science Fiction Writer

Your ideas are very strange, and people often wonder what planet you're from. And while you may have some problems being "normal," you'll have no problems writing sci-fi. Whether it's epic films, important novels, or vivid comics... Your own little universe could leave an important mark on the world!

What Type of Writer Should You Be?

領悟

人終歸是要靠自己

A Memorale Song

Walk in the world for me

The time has come for me to say goodbye
No sad farewells will we share
For you will live within me
And I will live in you
No words can say how much we care

Chorus:
Walk in the world for me
Sing a happy melody
And keep my memory not far away
May you find that life will bring
All the best of everything
Take special care of you for me today

We've walked together on the dusty roads of life
But kept our eyes upon a star
We've laughed at the little things
And cried along the way
I've come to know the friends you are

To stay or to leave...

I know I don't want to be there for long
I know I would leave very soon
Yet I know I want to stay for you
But he may want me to leave
And in fact, I do want to leave...

Vocabulary STORM

Adjectives for myself:
intelligent, bright, clever, smart, shrewd, able, gifted, talented, brainy

Adjectives for others:
stupid, foolish, half-witted, simple, silly, brainless, daft, dumb, dim

I'm determined, self assured, assertive, original, open, broadminded, generous and ambitious
while others are obstinate, arrogant, agressive, weird, blunt, permissive, extravagant and pushy.

Thank you.

煙花三月

袁竹林和他的那條紅線把幾十年前的感情一直維繫著

你帶給我這個真實的故事
是否也代表著你相信命運
或是代表著你對「緣份」的信念
在冥冥之中
世界上有兩個人是註定在一起的

時間卻可把這一切變成一場遊戲
一場夢

Literature is... / 文學是...

using limited language to express unlimited creativity

用有限的文字表達無限的創意

一粒精子的價值

近來竟然被中文台的電視劇集所吸引，不是那些「潮爆ｘｘ」或「高朋ｘｘ」，而是《女人唔易做》。近幾集圍繞鄧萃雯如何計劃借（林峯的）種。當吳美珩罵她自私、林峯說精子是留給自己喜歡的人時，我們都為他們捍衛道德而表示支持。

一粒精子背負著無數道德價值－－
它代表製造「愛情結晶品」的必需品；
它代表愛情；
它代表家庭；
它甚至代表「一夫一妻制」、「男權社會」、「異性戀主義」等等的主流價值觀。
最主要莫過於人與獸的分別－－人是有感情的，有感情所以有愛情，有愛情所以有婚姻，有婚姻便有家庭，而家庭又包括子女。
最終，一粒精子的價值可謂所值不菲。

最終，我們相信一粒精子代表著溫馨的家庭、相愛的父母、愛情的偉大和人類的高尚。

最初，他與她也是否擁有這一切而去製造「愛情結晶品」呢？

In the midst of everything...

The aim of life is self-development.
To realise one's nature perfectly - that is what each of us is here for.

Oscar Wilde
Irish dramatist, novelist, & poet (1854 - 1900)

接受 還是 忍受 ?

當我們都相信生活在香港這個文化大溶爐裏，大概大家已經習慣有不同種族的人在周遭的時候，我們有否問自己：這是接受？還是忍受？
當有印度人進入地鐵車廂時，我們有否因為他／她身體的氣味而跟他／她保持距離，或閃了鄙視的目光？
當有金髮的外國人經過的時候，我們是否稱他們為「鬼」？是類似印度人（香港還有巴藉人，以及尼泊爾人等）的時候，我們稱他們為「差」？
當有菲律賓人在假期時聚會，穿得比較少一點時，我們是否報以歧視的眼光？
我們有不同的翻譯政府文件給他們嗎？教育機會？居住地區／地方？工作機會？
*****
新加坡地鐵有四種不同語言的指示及廣播－－中文、英文、Malay及Tamil。他們習慣了有不同種族的人，但是他們在生活上完完全全能讓每一種族的人得到相同的待遇。
對於香港，我不能否認，新加坡實在比我們「文明」。

P.S. 香港的語文教育更令人沮喪－－新加坡人的英文水平及普及程度比我們高出許多－－我這個英文老師可以做什麼呢？

"Mrs Henderson Presents"

Judi Dench - again, one of my favourite British actresses - has proved herself a bitchy bourgeois widow who bought a worn-out theatre and transformed it into the 'uniquely' NUDE stage performance only in West End, London. Having appealed to the bossy Mr Van Damm (Bob Hoskins), who is a devoted theatre person, Mrs Henderson finds herself secretly in love with her business partner. Dench's sparks from the beginning (complaining about getting bored as a widow! :D), the middle (disguised herself as a 'Chinese' -- doubtful of how she looks would resemble a Chinese! :P), till the end (as sentimental as to disclose her secret in front of the crowd that she lost her dearest 21-year-old son in the war). Her acting always gives audience surprises - and she's just so convincing in every role she plays - magnificent!!!
Highly recommended to 'fans' of Judi Dench -- she really deserves an Oscar award (unfortunately lost it to 'Walk the Line').

P.S. Bob Hoskins is another SUPERSTAR in this film.

「老師心聲」- 一篇令我感受很深的文章

親愛的你，請把我當作一個人看待－－一個有血有肉有感情的人。
親愛的你，請你也給我尊重，正如我尊重你一樣，因為我也跟你一樣看重自尊。
親愛的你，請你對我誠實，正如我對你誠實一樣。
親愛的你，上課的時候，請別打斷我的話，因為這會令我感到尷尬和懊惱！
親愛的你，請不必用滋擾的方法引我注意，因為只要你向我表達你的需要，我會嘗試去接納。
親愛的你，當我講課的時候，你可否給我一點專注的目光，因為這樣可以鼓勵我講得更精彩。
親愛的你，請別把我當作聖人看待，如果我錯了，輕輕的提醒會令我心裏感激。
親愛的你，請別介意我認真和執著的原則，因為我怕放縱會傷害你的成長！
親愛的你，請你不要踐踏我的愛心和誠意，這樣會令我感到難堪。
親愛的你，請盡力認真做好功課，至少我曾經盡力預備。
親愛的你，請別期望我每一堂都百分之百精彩，至少我答應你們盡力。
親愛的你，雖然我不能常常提起，但是你們的支持和回應對我實在很重要！
親愛的你，請讓我和你們一起生活。

*****

從前，我以為我滿不在乎；
現在，原來這一切可以觸動心深處。

To be or not to be...

It's the most famous line from 'Hamlet'. The last time I recited this line I was in the VIP's office. Absolutely ridiculous is the fact that when I read the writing collection published by the school, I found the part written by HIM resembled very much of my idea I told him in the first interview!!! What I actually doubted and felt furious about was 'what a coincidence'! Ironically - sacarstically -- as a 'DR' I felt that he wouldn't do this thing of what WE (academics :P) hate most --- plagiarism!
Don't question me as a Shakespeare fan, but HIM?

約定

說好的 三年不見面
用我們的愛 把時間留住
你笑著說 這是我們的考驗
我們的約定

就這樣 三年又過了　
我還是回到這個地方
閉上眼 等你的出現
空氣中吻你的臉

我還記得我們的約定
一輩子幸福的約定
為你寫的那首歌
它也偷偷的掉淚了
我還記得我們的約定
我比以前還更愛你了
連那風都笑我了
我想它會告訴你的
我更愛你了

Cherry blossom at Ueno park

When you're a referee...

• you're a Very Important Person, for sure;
• you're so much respected by others;
• you're recognised, no doubt about it;
• your language skills must be excellent (coz you have to persuade people to believe the 'unbelievable'! HAHA!!!);
• you can get a treat (for FEAST, expensive gifts, etc... YEAH!);
• AT LEAST, you can show off (like I do!)!

Can't imagine I'm already a 5-time referee... that's SOMETHING, right?!

The HEAT

A window... no, no, some windows,
dogs, chasing after... tigers and lions - the bloody teeth
The mouth - big, hollow, dark
the roof, I'm falling speedily without fears
Silence -
Darkness, comfort
And then,
I found myself surrounded by flames
The heat
I cannot stand the heat

Pride and Prejudice - universal (truth)?

Mr. Darcy: So this is your opinion of me? Thank you for explaining to fully. Perhaps these offences might have be overlooked had not your pride-
Elizabeth Bennet: My pride?
Mr. Darcy: -been hurt by my honesty in admitting scruples about our relationship. Did you expect me to rejoice in the inferiority of your circumstances?
Elizabeth Bennet: And those are the words of a gentleman. From the first moment I met you, your arrogance and conceit, your selfish disdain for the feelings of others made me realize that you were the last man in the world I could ever be prevailed upon to marry.
Mr. Darcy: Forgive me.


(Frankly, handsome Mr Darcy and gorgeous Elizabeth Bennett -- would certainly attract the eyes of the audience. I wasn't very convinced by Keira Knightly for her portrayal of Lizzie, but two others really drew me into their characters -- Matthew Macfadyen and Judi Dench. Matthew's dull look - haha! - matches so much of the apparently COOL Mr Darcy and I wouldn't deny his talents in acting making very good use of his LOOKS - 'EYES' I mean. Judi Dench as the arrogant and extravagant - or somewhat overbearing - Lady Catherine de Bourg, what can I say? She's the QUEEN of acting! Right, if you're a big fan of Jane Austen, and especially her all-time favourite Pride & Prejudice, go for the 300-min production with Colin Firth as Mr Darcy instead! Excuse me, Director Wright! :D)