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.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Monday, October 15, 2007
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.
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.
Sunday, September 2, 2007
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.
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.
Friday, August 17, 2007
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！
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
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.
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.
Sunday, August 12, 2007
《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…
《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…
Friday, August 10, 2007
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.
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