Saturday, December 26, 2009

The Art of Observation ...

I am not weird at all, I just find it interesting to watch people, study their behavior at different locations, settings and times. The way how each individual behave tells a unique story and I often let my imagination fills in the blanks to complete the story.

When I watch people dance in a Jazz club / lounge, I often see people with a genuine smiles on their faces, expressing their emotions through their steps and moves. Loving couples would dance passionately and look at each other in such a way that some passionate kissing are bound to occur. Not to mention the occasionally ass grabbing.

When I travel on the MTR, there are all sort of things that interest me. I realized a while ago that there seems to be a pattern of things one sees during different time of day.

Morning Rush Hour @ MTR
  • People reading newspaper (from hard copies, on mobile phones or people reading off other's)
  • People sleeping / napping either standing or sitting down
  • People listening to their music
  • The general atmosphere was rather quiet and depressing with very few hints of smiles or energy which morning stands for.
Evening Rush Hour @ MTR
  • People Reading Tabloid Magazines
  • People chatting energetically over the phones (where did the energy comes from?)
  • People listening to music
  • Not smiles once again but plenty of raised eyes brows as a result of crowds pushing onto the train at every major station.
  • People getting out of the train by squeezing through the crowds without saying excuse me
  • People standing still in the middle of the train door without a slight intent to move aside to let passengers alight the train
Evening at coffee shops
  • People discussing about their financial futures and other related insurance options.
  • Students reading through their notes with their head nodding along the musics from their iPods.
Outside Jockey Club Betting Branches
  • Groups of middle aged men standing or leaning against the street rail outside the branches with newspaper in one hand and a radio or some sort on the other
  • People sitting inside the betting branch, all facing a row of monitors hanging off the ceiling displaying a bunch of numbers flickering in different colors. (which reminds me of groups of ladies and lads inside bank branches all looking up into a single monitor with their fast moving hand over a number pad
I don't know why but I find all these little details very intriguing. I like to piece all these details together in understanding how such behavior come to be so. Eating behavior is another interesting area to explore in my opinion.

A smart move by HMV? Nah, I don't think so ...

I have noticed that over the past few months, HMV has been replacing their selection of VCD movies with blue rays or normal DVDs. From having a VCD section to several shelves worth of VCDs over a period of few months, somehow suggests to me they are phasing out VCDs one step at a time. I am a supporter for DVD and blue rays but there are some movies just not worth watching on DVD! By phasing out such an option, I think HMV is taking away its potential business, at least from me.

Monday, December 21, 2009

A simple way to say Merry Christmas!



A simple yet very effective way to add a little XMAS spirit around town! Merry Christmas!

Monday, December 14, 2009

Mr Sunshine I welcome you!



Sometimes all you need is a bit of sunshine to brighten up your day. Enjoying something simple like sandwiches and a banana cake can be an option indeed. It is a good way to get your mind of work or indulge yourself into a moment of peace. Live music would be great just like the wonderful performances of the girl's choir performing at IFC during lunch time on this lovely day!

Sunday, December 6, 2009

All we need is a little XMAS in all of us!



Talk about Christmas spirit, this man has it all in my opinion! What we all need is a little merry Christmas in your heart! Merry Christmas indeed!

Chriastmas is fast Approaching! Woohoo!



Usually when Starbucks changes its cup, XMAS is fast approaching. I also heard of another indication of XMAS which is when Kenny G is out with a new album. In any case, having a Gingerbread latte and XMAS brownie on a late Friday night was a good way to get into the wonderful XMAS mood! Are you in the XMAS mood yet?

Awards for Efficiency ???

Captured a picture of this trophy at one of the local chain restaurants. I laughed so hard right at the spot because of what it stated on it. Direct translation of the award is: "Most Efficient in Punching in Orders (Regional Awards)." That sounds fun doesn't it? ...

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

So you think you love to read?




I thought I love to read but perhaps not as much as this little boy at Dymock @ IFC. Or was the little doing some kind of exercises?

Monday, November 23, 2009

To Mirth or not to Mirth?



Thanks to Sassy Hong Kong, I am now introduced to the world of high fashion! I am by no means a trendy guy all, but one of its recent posts featured a Man Skirt (or Mirth as they like to call it) from H&M Spring 2010 Collection for Men which captured my attention. I am really not sure if this is a the perfect gift for man who has everything, or if the market (or most guys) are ready for this, but it is certainly interesting to see H&M offering such fashion, perhaps it is the next big thing? Am I brave enough to try it? I don't think I am ready for it or am I? Afterall, the Scottish kilts has been around for a while right? And profile designer like Marc Jacob has been sending them down the runway since Summer 2009! Seriously, I am not a fashion guru and I THINK I am not ready for idea of man skirt or Mirth yet; but being the curious person that I am, I went to H&M to check out the real thing!



Where is the Mirth (aka Man Skirt)?? I cannot find it? I just want to take a look and leave, to satisfy my curiosity!!! All I can see were On Sales items flying all over the places with crowds lining up in front of the cashiers with truck load of clothes. O wait, the Spring 2010 Collection is yet arrive right? They are still off loading the inventories from Winter 2009 right? Ooops, I guess the man skirt and I are not meant to be.



Pic of Mirth from: http://hypebeast.com/2009/11/hm-2010-spring-collection/

Time for some music & XMAS music of course!

It is almost time for XMAS and I did some XMAS shopping today: CDs shopping to be exact! I came across Andrea Bocelli's latest album My Christmas and I grabbed it without much thinking in preparation for the upcoming festive season!
(Pic from: http://www.sugarmusic.com/)



I got more than just a Christmas CD of course, I got something ... interesting and unique!! I was attracted by both the unfamiliar face on this album and the title of it which reads:《介乎法國與旺角的詩意》 "poetics – something between montparnasse and mongkok." This CD is a local production by a local band named My Little Airport which formed back in 2004. Their latest release is their 4th album already. I was both surprised and humored by the song lyrics which combine social and political satire of the Hong Kong society. Well done! My Little Airport has my full support!



Pic from: http://www.mylittleairport.com/index.htm
Facebook Fanpage: http://www.facebook.com/mylittleairport
Check out the songs lyrics here: http://www.mylittleairport.com/lyrics_04.htm

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Ho Ho Ho ... Here comes Plastic Santa Claus!



While shopping around for Christmas gifts (mainly for myself ... lol) after watching A Christmas Carol (3D version) this afternoon, I passed by this amazing picture of Santa Claus inside Lane Crawford IFC. From afar it seems like a normal painting, but when you look more closely ....



Yes, the painting was made out of plastic forks, spoons, knifes, trays and everything plastic! Isn't that a nice way to recycle things!? Amazing piece of work!!!!! Santa is going GREEN too, woohoo!!



Almost forgot to mention, this year's Christmas decoration at the IFC consisted of a flying blimp with Santa riding it in. It was not as grand as previous years but honestly, Christmas is about hope and love, not about sky-high Christmas tree with crystals ornaments.


The perfect Christmas tree? All Christmas trees are perfect! ~ Charles N. Barnard, American author, travel writer

My idea of Christmas, whether old-fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others. Come to think of it, why do we have to wait for Christmas to do that? ~ Bob Hope, American film actor and comedian



Thursday, November 19, 2009

Allergy Attack!!!

I have been sneezing and "crying" all day long from my allergy attack!! I don't know how many times I sneezed today because I lost count around noon when it passed 50! My eyes are having tears and I have eyes that look like a new born baby, small and tiny! I have tried all kinds of medication and alternative medicines known to man kind. For example:
  • Chinese Acupuncture - poked! - have been poked by more needles than you can imagined! ... all over the body that is ...
  • Allergies Pills - swallowed! - I lost count in terms of how many off the shelf brands I have tried, I might be immune to all of them and
  • Steroid-ized nasal sprays - sprayed! - I had more than enough dosage to be disqualified for any kind of sporting events for the upcoming few years ...
There seem to be an increasing number of people in Hong Kong having various kinds of allergies and if your allergies involves sneezing and tears, it is more or less similar to mine and I have the few suggestions based on personal experiences not on how to cure it but to lessen the PAIN (those who have serious allergies, I am sure you know what I mean by the PAIN)
  1. Wear a mask to minimize the exchange of temperature-varied air. The constant exchange of air would trigger sneezing, so protect your nose at all cause
  2. Do not look directly into any bright light. Wear sunglasses if you can because the sun light + bright lights trigger tears.
  3. Stick two rolled up tissues up your nose / nasals, same effect as the mask!(maybe it is better to do this at home ... LOL)
  4. Wash your nasal passages with sea-salt spray which can be found in your nearest pharmacy
  5. No cold drinks or any alcoholic beverages! + No spicy food
  6. No coffee (or TRY to minimize the number of cups per day, it is the caffeine that would make you sneeze more, perhaps decaf would do the trick but then what is the point to have a coffee without the caffeine?)
  7. Do not use CHEAP tissue or Kleenex to wipe your nose or to sneeze, it will hurt your nose after 20 - 30 sneezes!
  8. Do not use CHEAP and single-layer tissue because they are CHEAP and not strong enough for your sneezes!!
That is all for now, time for me to get some rest! I feel stronger now because every time I sneeze, the sneezing movement pull my abdominal muscles (abs) as if I am doing the Captain's Chair or Bicycle Crunch exercises; very soon I will have awesome abs! Why paid for gym (or exercise for that matter) when I can get great abs this way!?

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

I am falling in love ...

Yes, I am falling in love ... I am falling in love with COMO SHAMBHALA products! I was introduced to COMO SHAMBHALA's products last year during my trip to Bangkok (BKK) and during my latest revisit to BKK this past weekend, I can't help myself but to stock up on COMO SHAMBHALA's bodycare products! Among the various blends, my favorite has to be the INVIGORATE signature blend, with eucalyptus, geranium, lavender and peppermint! I have stocked a few months worth of supplies mainly the shower gel and body lotion. Of course you can find it in Hong Kong as well but DOUBLE the price!



Not only is the scent of the gel and lotion very refreshing, it truly invigorates me! I even enjoy smelling it right out of the bottle! They also offer the soap bar but I found it rather ... humm ... it makes your skin rather dry right after that hand cream or lotion is required immediately! If you are stopping by BKK anytime soon, do make an effort to buy a few blends to try!

(P.S. - the Metropolitan Bangkok provides COMO Shambhala bathroom amenities!)

COMO SHAMBHALA
Website: http://www.comoshambhala.como.bz/products/bodycare

Friday, November 13, 2009

General Studies (通識教學) ... yet another failed attempt!

After reading the features from CUP Magazine November 2009 Issue 94, I have the following the add to the discussion. I am in agreement with Mr. Chip Tao regarding the failed attempt in driving the Hong Kong's education system in including teaching subject of Liberal Studies or the so-called General Studies (通識教學)

I think placing a label or having a category of its own is already an incorrect approach to the concept of Liberty Studies / General Studies. It is a life long learning process or "life experiences" for a lack of a better word. It is an attitudes towards learning, there are no specific subject areas to teach; the quest to learn has to be self-motivated, knowledge-driven and self-experienced. I know it is lame to say it but it is not about what you have learned, it is about how you are to process / apply what you have learned. General studies to me is "living" or perhaps "the desire to live your life to the fullest."

One of the main sources of knowledge is from the news / newspapers; however many students and youngsters in Hong Kong could not care less about current affairs. Go grab one of Hong Kong's Chinese-based newspapers and there is a high chance you may find the Entertainment related sections to be the thickest and that they are the only sections many youngsters care to read. Again, it is the attitude towards knowledge that has to be changed, forcing the subject of General Studies as part of the school curriculum would change nothing!

How did we come to this? In my opinion, there are many factors in my opinion, the Chinese culture developed over the past few centuries is one major factor and the relatively short-sightedness of the Hong Kong's society (due to its unique history) can be another. I am not going to go into details of the reasons behind it because I am not an expert in social sciences or cultural studies; but what I do know is that we should act fast before our next generation starts to have difficulties in developing logical & independent thinking or even worst, no interest in learning!


Cover Page from CUP Magazine

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

The Real Milkshake ! (or MILK-shake)

This is what I call the real MILK-SHAKE ! LOL ...



Picture from:
http://adsoftheworld.com/media/print/mcdonalds_the_real_milkshake

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

So you think you have everything? ... think again!

My friend forwarded me a chain email with the following items which I found to be quite interesting, creative, unique and ingenious! I actually want to get some of the items just because they are cool! I have no idea if these products are for real or where the email originated from, but they are worth sharing for sure! Why can't people think of these products earlier ?! (Captioned text are directly copied form the chain email and I like to give credit to whoever originated the email and respective owners of the pictures. )

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BANANA GUARD (specially for Banana!!!) - Protect Your Banana!
Are you fed up with bringing bananas to work or school only to find them bruised and squashed? Banana Guard allows you to safely transport and store individual bananas letting you enjoy perfect bananas any time, anywhere.



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LOCK-CUP
Lock Cup - Anti-Theft Coffee Cup. Are you tired of others stealing your coffee cup? Well now there's a solution. The Lock - Cup has a hole which prevents most people from using it. Only the owner of the cup can use his/hers shaped key to close the hole.




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TRANSPARENT TOASTER
You love toast, but you always burn it? Than, this invention is for you This transparent toaster allows you to see the bread while it is toasting so you just have to take it out when the color is right. This idea is based on a transparent heating glass technology.



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BUTTER CUTTER
One Click Butter Cutter controls your portion as an important part of staying healthy. This ingenious butter cutter delivers one standard pat with each click of the handle.



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DAY CLOCK (This is actually good for the retired persons)
What day is today? You don't know? Then you need a Day Clock. It's uniquely designed to keep track of weekly events like your golf day, card night, movie night, and so much more. It's ideal for vacations and cruises when it's easy to lose track of the day.




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LASER SCISSORS
Laser Scissors Cutting a straight line has never been easier. Just aim the pin-point laser and follow the line. The scissor blades are stainless steel and cut very clean with a micro edge.



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TOILET SEAT LIFTER
'Who left the Toilet Seat up?' The Peace Maker will end the battle of the toilet seat. Merely step on the pedal to activate the lifting mechanism. When finished, remove your foot from the pedal and the seat gently comes to a rest where it started.



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'THE THING' - INFANT PILLOW
The Zany is an ergonomic infant pillow designed by a mum to mimic the size, weight, touch, and feel of her hand and forearm to help her baby with comfort, support, protection, and development. . The Zaky can help calm your baby and help your baby sleep better through the night.



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TRAVELER'S PHRASE BOOK T-SHIRT
If you are traveling a lot and don't always know the language of the country you are visiting, then this T-shirt is for you. It has a phrase book printed on it so just point a finger at the pictogram you need and then point it twice at the question mark, which means, 'Where is it?' and in no time you have found what you were looking for... Or not. (Another possibility for the foreign language impaired



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WHEEL-MOVING BENCH
Whether you want to sit on the sun or in the shade, near the river or under the tree... Now you have your movable bench, to sit wherever you like.



======

Note:
After several attempts, I found the following sites with reference to the above items and descriptions, maybe one of them is the originator?

Breakfast at ...

I don't mind getting up early very morning, it is what I am getting up for that truly bothers me. What is your motivation in getting up every morning? If it is for a nice relaxing breakfast then I am all up for it! To quote form Anthony Bourdain's Kitchen Confidential, "food, to me, has always been an adventure." What can be better than to start your day off with an adventure in Gastronomy every morning!

Somehow it reminded me of the movie Breakfast at Tiffany's! I don't why but it was a great movie indeed! I am thinking about breakfast already ... perhaps Almond Croissant and a cup of coffee at LE SALON DE THÉ de Joël Robuchon?

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Space Resort by 2012?

How much would you pay to stay in space for 3 nights including weeks of pre-training? Apparently there are people willing to pay about EUR 3 million for 3 nights at the The Galactic Suite Space Resort scheduled to be opened by 2012 according to news sources. I am not that interested at this moment not only because of the cost but I am more interested when they can generate gravitational force on those space hotel. Literally running in space would be much more fun!!! Then again, let's wait and see if this project will actually survive by 2012.

Monday, November 2, 2009

A Billboard for Halloween ?!?!?!

I took the following three pictures recently at the Discovery Bay (on Halloween actually). If I am correct, It is a billboard commissioned by the Islands District Council in celebration of the 60th birthday of the PRC. I took these pictures of the billboard at a different time of the day: (1) under the sun, (2) evening & (3) night. Take a look before I tell you what I think about it ... it is not going to be pretty I tell ya !

(1) Under the Sun


(2) Evening


(3) Night


The bill board is just PLAIN UGLY !!! Its presence near the pier and bus station destroys the whole peaceful and relaxing atmosphere of Discovery Bay. This is LIGHT POLLUTION! If you tell me the 4 figures standing left and right of the billboard are for Halloween purposes, I might just believe you! Please remove it ASAP !! If a visitor like me is complaining about it, I am sure local residences would start to protest or write a petition for its removal soon right!?????

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Just Say Yes? I'm not Surprised!

I really can't help myself but to transcribe the following dialog from a TVB's drama: (I am not a professional translator so I am doing the best I can)


[HIM & HER hugging very tightly]

Her: When did you fall in love with me? At first sight? Second sight?

Him
: No

[HER pushes slightly away from the hugging and look at HIM]

Her: Say Yes [softly]

Him
: Does one have to lie to be in love?

Her: [pause] Say Yes

Him
: [slightly hesitant] Yes, how about you?

Her: [return to the tightly hugging position] I am not telling you. It is my secret.

How come I am not surprised?

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

The Sky is the Limit??

A 5,636 sq ft "semi-duplex" on West Mid-Levels is fetching for HKD 357.73 million? This is just crazy! Am I seeing another real estate bubble about to burst? Such luxury properties may not affect the average overall real estate pricing in Hong Kong (in my opinion) but it is an indication, benchmark or even an unjustifiable excuse for potential sellers or developers to raise their prices. It is no longer the question of affordability, it is whether this price level is justifiable in my humble opinion.

Although real estate is one of the most preferred methods for accumulation of wealth in a Chinese society, I am not sure it is the best or most practically way to do so in Hong Kong, at least for the general population. Then again, I am no expert in this area and Hong Kong has always been strong in supporting its own unique economy (and its property market) over the years. Who knows, now that the so-called real estate bubble (or balloon) in Hong Kong is Made in China, it is quite difficult to predict, maybe it will never burst?

The Standard: http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=30&art_id=89166&sid=25696230&con_type=1

Stay Positive, Stay Creative !

Piano Staircase



The World Deepest Bin



The fun theory
http://www.rolighetsteorin.se/en/

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Redefining Quality

While buying the newly Gingerbread Cappuccino at Pacific Coffee today, I saw the following quote on one of their their mugs.

Quality is not an act, it is a habit. - Aristotle

I am not certain in what context Aristotle delivered this quote but I believe it can apply under all circumstances. My view is that quality is more than just a habit, it is an attitude, a refined attitude perhaps. So tempted to get that MUG now!

7 Oct 2009: I just bought the MUG ! Yeah !

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Double Standard?

A few months back when the Swine Flu (aka H1N1) situation/news broke out in Hong Kong, people rushed out to get their hands on the last remaining facial masks even when they were marked up 300%. Now, look around, there are very few people wearing mask in publicly crowded area or transportation even when they are coughing so hard. Bus drivers, taxi drivers, cashiers at supermarkets, passengers on crowded morning bus are all coughing without a mask on! What happened to the overly protective reaction when the H1N1 news first broke out? Now I am coughing too!!!

From what I last heard, the H1N1 situation is not getting less serious. The Center of Health Protection scale the swine flu surveillance programmee because the virus was milder than expected, not because it was less contagious! The Center of Health Protection estimated that approximately 50 million city residents have been infected, only so far!

I think city residents of Hong Kong are very easily distracted by other news or issues, such as the stock market !!! A few months back, if you were not wearing mask like everyone does, you will be looked at in such a way as if you a very insensitive and selfish individual. If you are wearing a mask in the subways, buses or in a supermarket, people would take a few steps back from you and look at you in such a way as if you are very insensitive and selfish individual for coming out in the open when I should be staying home. I don't mind being looked at in whatever ways people like when I am wearing a mask, but please ... when it comes to contagious or potential contagious disease, drop the double standard and don't just act to your own convenience.

Monday, September 21, 2009

Jan Lamb's "Yes, I do ... 30mething" [林海峰-是但噏x我願意]



Jan Lamb's (林海峰) latest talk show titled "Yes, I do ... 30mething" (是但噏x我願意) was definitely better than I expected. The topic as the title suggested was on marriage but it also included other aspects of relationship between couples. I was surprised by the second half of the talk show which was more like a ... musical, featuring a newlywed couple, actually a soon-to-be newlywed couple. Apparently different couples each night. Special guest Eric Kot Man Fai (葛文輝) together with singer Kay Tse (謝安琪) was certainly a nice touch, pushing the show into another climax. The following are some pictures I took during the talk show I like to share.










Thursday, September 17, 2009

It's time to turn over a new leaf

Ever since I started blogging (especially with my food blog), I get to know myself better everyday. The more I understand myself the more I want to / need to turn over a new leaf. I have been trying to do that for a while actually but I have been standing / sitting on top of the leaf so it is rather difficult to turn it over. However, one should not procrastinate for too long and I am going to step off the leaf and try to turn it over now (or soon) !!! How am I going to do that? Still in the process of figuring it by at least I am trying !!!!!!

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Where is the Music in the City?

After having a very full Sunday brunch at Kitchen (W Hotel @ Elements), it was time to walk around for better digestion. Over at one of the main foyer, there was a three men band playing some Jazz Blues. If this band was playing at the brunch location it would be great especially with the New Orleans' theme the restaurant was promoting.



Such performances are really lacking in Hong Kong in my opinion. I am not in the creative industry (maybe I should give it a try) but I do appreciate the occasional musical scene around town, be in malls or street performances. I really do think there should be more of such performances in Hong Kong in general. I stood there for over 15 mins just to enjoy their performances which was wonderful indeed. Music can help you relax, music can even heal your souls and music can be what you want it to be. Before returning to Hong Kong, I never really understand the power of music or how to appreciate it, but overtime as I travel on my life journey, I started to embrace it with all I can because listening to the kind of music I love, it can help me "Put On A Happy Face."

Friday, August 21, 2009

The Beauty of Randomness

Sitting at Starbucks one evening while awaiting for my Happy Hour to start with a few friends working nearby, a few random thoughts came to my attention. Actually, there are random thoughts in my mind all the time!



What I had in mind at that moment was how come people in Hong Kong like to rush or always seem to be in a rush, to catch the MTR (which will arrive in just 1 min) or to run down / up escalator ending up waiting for the elevator next to me.



HOWEVER, at the same time, people in Hong Kong love to line up as well. How ironic, rushing & lining up! People like to line up for almost anything; from new IPOs, monthly sale at department stores or simply some special drinks (ie: bubble tea). I just don't understand sometimes even after returning to Hong Kong for a number of years.

Hong Kong? No Hong Kong?

It so happens this current issue (Issue 91) of CUP magazine talks about the exact topic which has been in my mind over the past few weeks or even months. I have been questioning whether Hong Kong is a liveable city and how to define what is a liveable city. Of course it all depends on how to define it and how you want to like it to be, no defined answer in my opinion, but I started to question whether it is the right place for me.



To quote from one of the articles by Philip Dodd titled All About People:

... From my ideal city I want (at different times) excitement, safety, tolerance, quiet, opportunity; I want a city that encourages self assertiveness and confidence in everyone, that makes me feel as if I belong.

My choice of city may differ according to my age ... How rich I am will also determine whhc city I will find attractive ...

But there is a simpler truth: most people do not have a choice where they live. Only the truly rich do. Most of us live where we live because of employment and work opportunities.


I do agree with the above mentioned, the question or the concern I have is that Hong Kong does not seem to be giving me the self assertiveness and confidence I hoped for and that applies to the so-called opportunities that everyone is talking about for the past two decades. It is this concern and realization that makes me question on the liveable aspect of Hong Kong and whether I should be constrained by this "box" I talked about in my previous entry on "Thinking Out of the Box."

=============

For some odd reasons, CUP magazine often touches on topics that I can truly relates to and at the exact timing as well. For example, I was thinking about what changes I should make to my life in general and CUP came out with an issue (Issue 88) on "It's Time to do Something." In one way or the other, it was this back issue that encourged me to start blogging, to do something new, to do something exciting and to do something I enjoy for a change. I am really glad I started my food blog.



Pictures belongs to: CUP Magazine Publishing Ltd.