Sign of age

I'm now sitting in the lounge, waiting for the announcement that I can board on the plane to go home from New York. Well, to be honest, with the horrible ice rain and the well-known JFK delay, I am not hopeful that I will get out on time. I just want to board, so I feel like I am on my way home.

It's not the first time I fly round the world in a week, but this time, I really feel I have aged. Jet-lag is worse than ever, waking up at 3am to watch TV. By the second day of my trip, I already wanted to go for a bowl of rice, and so I did -- went to a Japense restaurant to get a bowl of miso soup and a nice steamy rice. In the past, I never quite understood why Chinese tourists would go to Chinatown for food. There are so much good restaurants to try out, why go for a General Taso's chicken in some random Chinese resaturants? But the thought of having a hot soup and steamy rice just made me feel so much better. I guess I am homesick more easily now.

Weather in London and New York at this time of the year is not something to look forward to. It gets dark at around 4pm, which made me feel miserable. I passed by university students who were excitedly going out to have fun, but I just wanted to go back to the hotel room to watch TV. It feels so much more secured in the heated hotel room. I thought to myself, if I had a choice again, would I have the courage to leave home to study in a totally foreign place? Probably not. I certainly don't think I can move to another city now.

I guess being reluctant to change is really a sign of age. I am very tired, I do hope I can sleep throught the 20-hour flight. Keeping my fingers crossed that the flight will fly tonight.

teenagers

everyone who knows me should know that i am really bad at dealing with kids, but somehow after a long conversation with a friend, i feel that i should give it a go and help out with the church's youth group (age 11-17).

teenagers are really a different species, they seem to be living in a totally different world where they don't talk to anyone who is not their age, they could wear long sleeves and gloves in this horribly hot weather (so they could look "cool"), they could spend their lives with ipods all day long... i can't recall what i was like when i was at their age, i bet i was the same.

i couldn't quite figure out what to say to them, most of them don't seem to be interested in christiany, it seems like they are coming to church just because their parents are forcing them to. when i volunteered myself to give a testimony, i didn't know what i was thinking. but i remember the other helper was telling me that i only need to be real to them, so i openly shared an experience of absolute helplessness and god's healing at the end.

i don't think they were particularly interested in my sharing, but i was very encouraged at the end, just because they have finally given me some signs of feedback -- be it a smile or a good-bye on our way out of the church.

WITJ?

WWJD (what would jesus do?) became popular in the 90's, especially around campuses in the US. Many use the motto for all sorts of accessories, including cuff-links, bracelets, bumper sticker. today, i had this sudden idea of WITJ (what if that's jesus?).

i was having a chat with a few friends from church, and as we talked about the difficulty in reaching out to people from a different background, a lot of times those who are less fortunate, perhaps less educated, i often fail in caring for them. i admire my friend who gave shelter to a complete stranger who had no place to stay, i know deep in my heart that no matter how much i say i should love my neighbors as myself, i know i would never invite a complete stranger to my home. but "what if that's jesus?"

i have been volunteering at a homeless shelter for a few years, many times i don't know how to talk to them, sometimes, i don't even feel like shaking hands with them, not to mention sitting next to those who refuse to take a shower. while i know what i should do, and i know in my head "WWJD" in these situations, sometimes i find it difficult even to try to reach out, especially when i am exhausted from my mon-fri work. i really feel like sitting at home, in front of the tv, or even just dosing off in my comfortable air-conditioned living room, watching discovery travel and living. but "what if that's jesus?"

i don't have an answer, i don't know how to balance all the different considerations, but i hope i can get myself more involved in serving others.

早飯

很享受星期六早上做pilates，有一種很舒暢的感覺。更享受運動後（雖然消耗的體力不多），可以給自己一個借口去威靈頓街的蛇竇吃個早餐A。甫踏進蛇竇就有一種莫名的親切感，叫客早餐，伙計會用最傳統的方式落單 -- 大嚷一句『早餐火腿通粉』-- 吃一口煎蛋及方包，呷一口奶茶，整個人立刻精神三分。可惜煎蛋不及澳洲牛奶公司的好味，應該找個機會一併嘆蛇竇奶茶及澳牛煎蛋，那該是最完美的早餐配搭！

back to basic

i haven't had buffet for quite a long time, especially lunch buffet, simply have passed that stage of desire for such a wide variety of food, but since my friend j wanted to visit ritz carlton's chater lounge before it is torn down, i gladly went along.

there weren't tonnes of food, but it had all the necessary -- salad, cold cuts, and my favourite "siu mai". i particularly enjoyed the main which was broiled prime rib and lamb rack, meat was fresh and juicy, served with gravy and english mustard, simply back to basics. if not for the fact that i have gained so much weight in the past few weeks, i would have gone back for a second round (or even a third round, haha). deserts looked very attractive as well, but for the same reason, i had to skip...sigh...

when a restaurant can deliver good quality food, it doesn't have to serve innovative dishes, just the basics would already win their customers' loyalty. too bad, there isn't much time left before this ritz carlton becomes history.

《暗戀桃花源》

《暗戀》與《桃花源》兩劇演出檔期相鄰，因為劇場管理人員的疏忽，使得兩個劇團為搶排練場地，爭執不休。兩劇的導演、演員，在彼此的劇幕中穿梭干擾，仍無法解決場地撞期的問題。最後兩個劇團妥協，舞臺分半，各自排練。兩劇演員卻在臺上，相互錯接台詞，兩劇莫名連接，彼此干擾卻又微妙共鳴。最後，《暗戀》一劇導演讓出場地，由《桃花源》先行排完。劇場管理員突然現身，要關閉場地，經現場人員陳情，管理員通融十分鐘，《暗戀》一劇方纔排演完成。

《暗戀》一劇，描述中國東北青年江濱柳與雲南女子雲之凡於上海相戀。抗戰後，雲之凡預備返回昆明過年，行前，兩人相約於黃浦江外灘公園見面。經此一別，兩人卻因國共內戰中斷音訊，各自輾轉逃至台灣，卻闊別五十餘年，不曾相遇。江濱柳垂暮之年，身患絕症，偶然得到雲之凡早已來台消息，決定登報尋人。等待期間，江濱柳向來台後結髮的妻子交代身後之事，獨自陷入舊日戀愛的回憶中。數日之後，雲之凡登門，卻早已各自婚嫁，兩人相對，不勝唏噓。

《桃花源》一劇，敘述老陶、春花貧賤夫妻失和，春花與袁老闆外遇。老陶失望之餘，決定離家捕魚，以圖出路，偶然誤入桃花源中。竟遇一對白衣男女，與袁老闆、春花全然相肖。老陶於桃花源中住下，卻不住思念春花，決意返家偕其同來。返回武陵後，春花與袁老闆早育有一子，生計艱難，相互怨懟。面對老陶出現，驚恐不已，亦不願隨其同去，老陶無奈，獨自又行離去。

劇中另有一神秘女子，不斷尋找一名為劉子驥的男子，不斷舞臺之間穿梭、探詢、吶喊。

看罷《暗戀桃花源》不覺得怎樣教人拍案叫絕，但讓我產生許多反思，就讓我嘗試把這些零星的思緒記下來吧！

> 劇中悲喜交集，一方面覺得《桃花源》有點胡鬧，另一方面覺得《暗戀》有點老土。我向來都覺得悲劇才能感動人心，才能表現出文化人多愁善感的特質，愛看喜劇只因它讓我心情愉悅，能令我（套用劇中那句）「放輕鬆」。難道悲劇才能扣人心弦，喜劇的文化價值又只能停留於娛樂觀眾的層面？

> 可惜只看了香港版，我想三地聯演版定更能突顯出兩地三岸的文化差異。那有點「無厘頭」的《桃花源》，加插著英文字句，尢其突出其「香港特色」。而《暗戀》帶點老土的悲情橋段，則令我聯想到瓊瑤那種六十年代的風格。

> 劇中兩個劇團同時排演的一幕不斷在我腦海出現，一方《桃花源》裡的老陶找到桃花源後仍不斷嚷著要回去武陵，白衣人卻著他不要回去；另一邊箱江濱柳勸妻子回去，別留在醫院陪伴，而他的思緒則不斷回去跟雲之凡分手的上海。
回去？不回去？我想，既然已越過急流到了與世無爭的桃花源，又何必牢牢記掛著戰後千瘡百孔的上海呢？

也許，是時候拋下那份牽掛去靜賞面前的桃花源…

our furry friend

the arrival of this little furry puppy into c's household signifies a step-forward. she is going to be c's companion when she is home by herself. i pray that she will grow up healthily, be a good dog, and be our best friend.

Lunching in Central

I can't remember when I started this almost-weekly lunch with d, but we always enjoy the time when we could talk about work, life, church, friends over a bowl of fish ball noodle soup (魚蛋粉) or treat ourselves to a fancy lunch.

Today, we treated ourselves to Cipriani located in this old building in Central. I have longed for steak tartar since I made reservation, together with marinated salmon, I knew I would have more than enough to fill my stomach. The salmon was delightfully refreshing, which serves as a perfect starter for this ultra hot summer weather. The portion for steak tartar was much larger than what I remember, and it took me quite a while to finish the whole thing. Though I was really full, I couldn’t stop myself from ordering my favourite crepe suzette.

Though it was a pleasant lunch, it wasn’t good value for money. If my memory serves me right, it must have been the most expensive lunch I have ever had (but definitely not the best lunch I have had). Guess we will do a lot more $10 fish ball noodle soup in coming weeks to save up for our next fancy lunch gathering.

are you reading this from your work computer?

I came across this article while I was pretending to read up on recent financial news, and thought my fellow readers would enjoy it too!

If you are reading this from your work computer, you should pay extra attention!

食神爭霸戰

第五屈食神爭霸戰經初賽嚴格評審後，以海鮮、雞、豬、辣、健康菜式及出前一丁六大組別。鍾愛出前一丁的我當然特別留意這個組別的入圍食府。其中位於旺角的『雲南紅大救駕』最令我感興趣，參賽食品名為『出前一丁汆岜夯沸騰魚』，雜誌介紹此菜式以酸湯魚為主，享有雲南菜中之魁的美譽。

我忽發奇想，到底有多少食客可以用準確的發音點這道菜？

3 weeks is a long time

After what feels like the longest 3 weeks of my life, I am finally picking up myself to write.

After all the crying, sadness, anxiety, sickness and pain, comes the recovering me. It taught me a lot about timing, I planned my operation so well that it fits everyone's schedule at work, but God gave us all a different schedule. In the end, I had to re-schedule my operation, and went into the operation theatre in my not-so-fit state. Thankfully, it all went well.

As it says in Ecclesiastes,
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
a time to be born and a time to die;
a time to plant and a time to uproot;
a time to kill and a time to heal;
a time to tear down and a time to build;
a time to weep and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn and a time to dance;
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them;
a time to embrace and a time to refrain;
a time to search and a time to give up;
a time to keep and a time to throw away;
a time to tear and a time to mend;
a time to be silent and a time to speak;
a time to love and a time to hate;
a time for war and a time for peace."

See you later!

“I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Revelation 21: 2-4)

See you later, Adrian!

29+?

Venturing out of our comfortable zone takes a bit of courage and planning. While we used to try out new restaurant every month in the past, we have gradually slowed down to once every two or three months unless for the big guys coming into town.

For my "29+?"-th birthday, Little Prince had to think out of the box, and so made plans to try out Aspasia, not only as an annual celebration of growing old, but also an adventure for both of us to get out of our usual choice. The route through the hotel lobby is still "in process," but the restaurant's decoration has completed and it is nice and cozy. Food menu has a good balance, which gives enough choices for almost everyone. The wine menu was a bit disappointing, especially with the lack of half-bottle. The tasting menu offers the ingredients in season, so no decisions need to be made, tasting menu that is.

After the scallops, the baby squid soup, and the squid-ink pasta (which was the best!), I already felt I had the best deal in town. Even though I am not a seafood person, the freshness of the ingredients, while being served right out of the pan, just made them perfect. Unfortunately, we both went for Wagyu beef for our main where there was no surprise. In hindsight, we should have picked sea bass, considering how well Chef Roland Schuller has handled all the seafood dishes. (As the Chinese saying goes, "rice always smell better at the other table.") Dessert provided Little Prince with an inspiration for a new flavor for his next season's homemade ice-cream, will see if he could make them taste anything like what the chef has demonstrated.

I was so full after dinner that I could not even finish my cappuccino, but it is certainly worth an honorable mention because of the smooth and creamy foam. The other item that deserves an honorable mention is the bread -- fresh out of oven, crunchy outside with soft and warm inside.

Though I didn't have to pay, the bill was more than reasonable. Definitely a steal in town. Have to go again soon before they raise their price.

countdown

In 20 days, I am going to have the first operation (and hopefully the only) in my life. Though I have fully anticipated its coming, and it's not a complicated surgery, the idea of being unconscious for a few hours still bugs me. I guess I am a control freak, and the thought of losing all control is not particularly comforting. While I know I actually don't have any control over life to start with, somehow I feel that I have some control.

The surgeon explained all the risks and all the possible side effects. All of a sudden, I feel like an investor sitting in the meeting room, listening to the risk disclosure and disclaimer of an investment idea. Weird feeling.

Time to be rational again.

Miracles do happen

I saw the son of B at church today, walking along the front row, which almost made me cry. I still vividly remember the day when B told us that his son was born 20 weeks early, and baby was less than 1kg at birth. We were all very worried about the little baby and B's wife who had internal hemmorage (which resulted in the pre-mature birth). He lived in the box, and had tubes all over him. We prayed for the whole family, especially the little one. Seeing him walking today really allows me to get a glimpse of God's power, God's healing, and God's mercy. God is indeed the provider of life, may His name be praised!

Tempo

早餐過後，少爺從袋口拿出Tempo一包，然後開始投訴，原因是我買了大包裝，而根據少爺的計算，小包裝比較『底』。說實話，我從來沒有細心留意價錢，但少爺堅決要小包裝，我也懶得阻撓，他自己到藥房買小包裝Tempo去了。
本著求證精神，我回到家便立即拿出計算機。一pack大包裝Tempo裡頭有30包紙巾，每包有8張，所以共有240張紙巾。一pack小包裝Tempo裡頭有36包紙巾，每包有7張，所以共有252張紙巾。少爺果然厲害，每張紙巾的價錢也計算得清清楚楚，跟少爺生活有時候真的令人我無言以對。唉！

Good-bye!

Today we are saying good-bye to a member of our family, Robosapien.

I was quite excited when he first arrived, with the hope that he can help me with tidying our place. But after I found out that his design was not quite what I expected, I have pretty much given up on him.

Thanks to eBay, we have finally sold him to a kind young man in Singapore who is willing to pay us US$350! When I saw him all wrapped up in bubble-wrap, the least anticipcated thought came to my mind, I actually started to miss him. Fortunately, that thought only lasted for 5 seconds, and in no time, he was being brought to the Post Office.

Good-bye, Robosapien!

On Labor Day

Little Prince spent the whole morning baking muffins, biscuits, making crab cakes and spanish omelette for a brunch get-together with friends. It is a blessing that we could just hang out and share our lives together. It is also a blessing that my husband likes going into the kitchen to make all kinds of food. It is an even bigger blessing when my friends offered to help out with dish-washing.

It was a day full of blessings!

Before Labor Day

The day before holiday is the best day to relax and to indulge. My friend made reservation at Inagiku in IFC for lunch which gave me something to look forward to in addition to the day-off.

We both ordered a tempura set, which came as no surprise. The biggest surprise (or disappointment) was the coffee I must have before I got back to the office for the rest of the afternoon. Not only was it not strong enough, it was a little pricey too.

I wouldn't complain because I only had half more day before the public holiday! Hurray!

comfort food

週末早上十一時多才起床，有點餓，茶餐廳的早餐時段已過，惟有在家中找些comfort food。

打開雪櫃，發現一片吃剩的火腿，數隻北海道雞蛋，和那長駐冰箱的雞肉腸，最好莫過於弄一碗腸腿蛋出前一丁。即食麪不是怎麼矜貴，但我卻於微時已跟它結下不解之緣。從小就喜歡出前一丁的我，其他牌子從來都沒有機會踏進我家中。就算到茶餐廳吃常餐，也要加3蚊改吃出前一丁，要是沒有出前一丁，我寧願放棄常餐也不吃其他牌子。每次出外旅遊久了，就自自然然會想念腸蛋丁(或餐蛋丁)，真不知道沒有出前一丁的日子我會怎麼辦。還記得小時候很喜歡雞蓉味，大學年代則愛上了咖哩味，現在年紀大了返回最基本的麻油原味。每一種味道都帶著美好的回憶，所以每次吃出前一丁都令我感到莫名的幸福溫暖。

life is good

Life is good when one could enjoy good food, good wine, and the company of good friends.

Little Prince made reservation for a very delightful dinner hosted by the celebrity chef Mr Alain Ducasse. Everything was just right that evening.

Where is the line?

Our pastor at church posted a question this morning as part of the new sermon series on the Book of Daniel -- "Where do you draw your line?" Or an even better question -- "Do you have a line?"

悠閒下午 – Pierre

友人生日想大吃一頓來慶祝一番，我急不及待訂了Pierre。剛開幕Pierre Gagnaire親自監督時，我幾經艱辛訂到位子跟少爺吃晚飯，嚐過名厨手勢，一直心思思想找借口再嚐美食。也試過business lunch到Pierre，覺得set lunch是中環區的good value，哈哈，又有藉口去，實在教人興奮。
那天set lunch的主菜分別有black cod和pasta，我們都不好意粉類，一伙兒吃魚去了。頭盤未到，先來了幾道餐前小吃 (友人說好像吃韓國菜)，小吃並無驚喜，唯那banana puree每次試都覺得自己在吃baby food，他們應認真考慮更換另一款小吃。頭盤一共由三款食物組成 -- cuttlefish salad、zucchini ravioli及素菜清湯。Zucchini ravioli其實是用兩片zucchini夾着mozzarella cheese，雖然簡單，但伴着用青椒及菠蘿製的沙律，每種食材都揮發出本身的味道，聽起來覺得古怪，但放進口中卻又是出人意表的清甜。主菜的black cod以野米汁作伴，看起來有點像紫米露，我們都帶着懷疑的態度嚐這個『紫米露black cod』。出奇的是伴汁的的確確就像無糖紫米露的味道，但跟那外脆內軟的black cod併起來，卻又帶出一種新鮮的口味。甜品也是三款組成 -- 朱古力餅、黑加倫子及雲呢拿雪糕、及生果沙律。友人吃過黑加倫子雪糕的樣子就跟IQ博士裡吃過酸梅乾的超人一樣，害得他差點灑下男兒淚。實際上，雪糕是應兩款一起吃才能試出真味道。跟其他菜式一樣，不是靠單一食物的味道，乃是本着art of science的philosophy把不同的食物、不同的味道、不同的質感併在一起帶出新感宮。