Friday 31 December 2010

New Year's Resolutions 2011


Wow, it's been 2 months since I last blogged. That's bad.

Too much to do, too little time...

OK, 15 minutes to go to 2011! Time to jot down some New Year's Resolution:

Same Every Year but Never Get Done (so must continue to try in 2011):
  • Do more exercise (I can't even run one block without getting out of breath, and I can't do a single push up, not even one)
  • Volunteer / Help others more - I think more than I act
  • Spend more time with family and friends (NOT via facebook or twitter)
  • Be happy and worry less

Something New for 2011:
  • Go travel - life is too short, go see the world!!!
  • Learn something new or do something I love - drawing/painting, photography, read more books, learn how to juggle with 3 balls
  • Solve a 4x4 rubik's cube
  • Have my portrait painted
It's quite general in a way but hey, life is that simple, or at least it's supposed to right?

What are your New Year's Resolutions?

Wednesday 3 November 2010

We are all Sinners


I went to church on Saturday for my cousin's daughter's baptism. 27 babies got baptized that night and we were all enjoying the babies symphony.

Then came the part where the Father did his sharing which once again reminded me why I resent the church.

He was on about how sinful it was for Peter Li, the son of billionaire Lee Shau Kee, to have 3 baby boys using a surrogate. Then there was this whole thing about human dignity and morale and blah blah blah.

Does it really matter? A guy wanted kids, a woman wanted to" lend a hand", a deal was sealed, then 3 beautiful babies were born. It's his business and no one else's.

So what if they won't be growing up with a "mother", they will have the best education, best chances in life, better than at least 6 million Hong Kong people!

What's worse? Using a surrogate or having a number of babies until you score a baby boy? To me, the latter is much worse. The previous daughters are like collateral damage and who is there to truly love them?

Don't get me wrong, I do believe in God, but just not the Church.

I just think that going to Church doesn't make you a good Catholic/Christian/whatever anymore than dancing in Madison Square Garden make you Michael Jackson.

And by the way, you can't comment on my posts because this is not a bloody forum, it's my blog so if you don't like it, go away.

The other time I posted religious stuff and this idiot commented something which was obviously copied and pasted from elsewhere. It was unoriginal, unconvincing and frankly I didn't bother reading it, I just deleted it.

People just get too sensitive about religious stuff, there is no right or wrong, believe in whatever you want as long as you do good and not evil. I don't care if you believe in trees as long as you treat people right and you are kind.

I am certain God is not half as judgmental and narrow-minded as those who try to play God. Respect other people's beliefs too, that's what makes the world beautiful.

Sweet dreams.

Saturday 25 September 2010

Nudge: 50 cents plastic bag levy


I was at the grocery store this morning when it suddenly dawned on me that nudges exist everywhere.

I recently read the book Nudge by Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein about choice architect and small things in choice systems that may help people make better decision.

A section of the book mentioned about how people hate to lose twice as much as they like to win i.e. people would rather NOT lose $100 than to win $50.

Thus when I was at the grocery store and when I saw how many people are now using environmental bags than plastic bags because of the 50 cents plastic bag levy in Hong Kong, the power of nudge came to mind.

People would rather "go through the trouble to" bring their own bag than to lose 50 cents (an insignificant amount).

This little nudge in the system has drastically reduced the amount of plastic bags distributed by shops by 90%!!!!

You can use nudges in organ donations, saving plans, business plans and many other places to help people make better decisions.

Read this book, I highly recommend it.

If 50 cents can make such a big change in plastic bags usage, imagine what else all other little nudges can do to make our world a better place!

Monday 6 September 2010

Goodbye Aunt Janny



I was shocked when I heard the passing of Aunt Janny.

Aunt Janny was the my cousin's aunt from his dad's side. I saw her once or twice a year, I had never known her well but it was always pleasant to see her.

She had been battling with cancer for two years before she passed. The pain of losing my father and sister to cancer over 15 years ago suddenly came back.

Like it was yesterday.

Life is too short. Way too short.

Why do nice people die young?

Aunt Janny, all the best and I hope you are in a much better place.

Your are going to be missed.

Goodbye Aunt Janny.

Sunday 5 September 2010

Fighting Heroes



I had the privilege to attend the iFS White Collar Boxing Event in Hong Kong last night.

Boxing is definitely not my cup of tea but the thought of being able to glam up, eat good food with great friends and watch a few fights for a charitable cause, why not?

The event was certainly similar to those you see on TV, the ring, the judges, the fighters, the crazy lights, the crowd and the shouting.

But little did I know I was there to meet heroes - ordinary men who do extraordinary things.

These fighter by the day are lawyers, investment bankers, doctors, accountants etc. But they all have a common interest - boxing. To me, it's a sport that lets someone kick the shit out of you.

One very obvious difference between professional fighters (like Tyson) and the brave men I saw last night was that these men were doing it for the love of their interest and for charity.

It was such an honorable and brave thing to do! Walking into the ring with equally competent fighter, while your family and boss watch.

I applaud those who fought for charity last night. I don't understand boxing as I naively think that it's just wrong to cheer when someone gets beaten up. But this was different, it was for charity - the CSC - Children's Surgical Centre - which enables kids in Cambodia to receive life changing surgeries they otherwise would not have received.

Well done boys, you guys are my heroes, and the fighting heroes for many kids in less fortunate worlds.

God bless.

Saturday 21 August 2010

The Power of the Internet

A friend asked if I have been keeping myself up to date on youtube about 賜座男 and 雞巴男. I said no but couldn't resist to check them out online.

Turns out that 賜座男 is about a young ignorant kid who refused to let a man sit next to the idle seat next to him on the bus. His rudeness and ignorance caused him the shameful video now posted on youtube for everyone's viewing. There is even a music video made on him and his background such as his age, where he lives and which school he goes to!

雞巴男 is about a guy who parked his van by a bus stop preventing buses from stopping which in turn caused an outrage from bystanders and those waiting for buses. The guy was swearing and saying how he felt sorry for those who has to take a bus since they don't have their own vehicle! The whole incident was videoed and uploaded onto youtube. Again, his whole personal profile and his family's were posted online as well!!!

It's kind of scary when you think about it. Anyone can be videoing you with their cell phones at anytime, anywhere.

I consider myself a nice person, most of the time. But there are times when I snap at taxi-drivers or have run ins with people. Hong Kong people are constantly under a lot of stressed because we live in such heavily dense city.

I have had run-ins with people at restaurants, subway or just shops where sales assistants were being rude.

Anyhow, I guess the power of the internet makes me think twice before I misbehave myself in public, whether I have been provoked or not. I would never want my business aquaintance to see the other side of me! Nor would I ever want the whole world to know my personal profile!!!

The good thing is that the power of the internet also serves as a way for the citizens to discipline themselves. Like the website www.openrice.com. You can search any time of food, in any area, at whatever price range there is in Hong Kong.

People are free to post pictures of the restaurants, their review of the food, ambience, service, price and anything you can think of!

Consumers are better informed with the products and services as the reviews are made by the general public and thus, very objective.

Another site is http://dpreview.com where people discuss about cameras and lens, their pros and cons in full length! We bought our camera based on the information we read online.

When there is tons of choices, it's really hard to choose what is truly value for money and what is just a result of multi-million marketing campagnes.

I guess it's not a bad thing when people think twice before they behave badly in public nowadays, myself included.

Thursday 22 July 2010

Hong Kong Dog Rescue

It's just heart-breaking to see the number of dogs looking for homes on the Hong Kong Dog Rescue site.
We were very lucky to have gotten 2 lovely and sometimes psycho dogs from the HKDR a few years ago. They are the most loving, fun and crazy dogs.
It's just too common in Hong Kong for people to give puppies or pets to others as Birthday gifts. Well, think again before you do that. Take responsibility, take ownership. It's a life, not a toy. Both of our dogs were abandoned because their ex-owners had them in an estate that didn't allow dogs!!! So once they outgrew the place, they were left on the streets!!!
We are truly thankful for our dogs but if you want a dog and have never had one, please check out HKDR first before actually getting one.
Go to http://www.hongkongdogrescue.com/, you can help by volunteering, donating, adopting or fostering.
It can promise you to be your best-friend for life. It will never leave you, never ignore you. It will be very loyal and honest to you. It will promise to love you till the day it dies.
Can you promise the same in return?

Friday 9 July 2010

Harry Brown - A Very Disturbing Movie


Harry Brown is one of the most disturbing movies I have ever watched. It's been giving me nightmares in the past few weeks.

I would dream about myself in some of the scenes from the movie, they were so vivid.

Harry Brown puts Se7en and 8mm to shame.

Sunday 4 July 2010

You Don't Ask, You Don't Get.

"When would you ever learn? You don't ask, you don't get!" Said Mel, a young friend of mine to her boyfriend.
This is so true and it applies to work, eating and shopping etc.
I went to a soft opening of a restaurant in town. The place was cozy and very busy. Most of us were too polite to ask for food but in the end, we were there for almost an hour but had nothing to eat because the waitresses were so busy.
Then, Mel stopped a waitress and asked politely with a huge smile, "Excuse me, I know you are very busy but my friends and I have been here for almost an hour and haven't eaten anything. When you get a chance, may I trouble you to bring something over?"
Less than 10 minutes later, the waitress brought us a full plate of food and everyone around us looked like they were going to jump on us!!!
If it wasn't for Mel, we could have been standing there for another hour before we were able to eat anything.
Mel wasn't rude or bitchy. She was polite and she smiled. Most importantly, she asked.
A few days later, I went shopping with my best-friend, B. We were trying on piles of clothes and I wanted a T-shirt but they didn't have my size. B works in the fashion industry and he hates it when I embarrass him.
B: The sizes are all here, if you can't find your size, then there is none.
Me: Do you work here?
B: I work in this industry and I know what they are going to say.
Me: Well, there is one on display! Maybe that's my size but it's too high I can't see it.
B: Seriously, don't even bother, they won't help. It's just a T-shirt, let it go, why the drama?
Me: It doesn't hurt to ask.
B rolled his eyes when I called a sales assistant (SA) over. I asked the SA if they have a medium and he gave me the standard answer.
SA: All the sizes are here, if you can't find your size, then there aren't any
Me: Well, maybe there is one or two lying around in the changing rooms, can you please check there and your computer?
(10 minutes later)
SA: Sorry Miss, we really don't have it
(I pointed at the display)
Me: What about that one up there. What size is it?
SA: It's really high I am not sure
I turned to the SA and gave him the sweetest smile. He sighed, went and grabbed a ladder, climbed up to the display on the top of the shelf, checked the size of the T-shirt, looked down at me and grinned.
It was my size.
Was I annoying? Yes and no. I call that persistence. Plus, I asked, he didn't have to check it from the display, according to B's so called industry knowledge. But he did. And I wouldn't have known if I didn't ask.
Last week, my hubby, R, and I went to shop for a ceiling light. It's been a few months and we finally found the perfect one. It turned out the display one was the last one and they don't know when they would restock it.
We took the display anyway and R whispered, "Since it's on display, do you think they will offer a discount?" I said I don't know but I suggested he asked. Then R looked petrified and he said it's embarrassing to ask!
I could've asked but given my recent experiences with the power of asking, I wanted him to learn it too. So I made him ask.
He asked and got a 10% discount straight away, which saved us about USD 400 just by asking!
This is the power of asking!

Saturday 19 June 2010

Racist towards who?

The title of the article goes "Seattle cop punches woman in face during routine jaywalking stop."

Then you get all these angry comments about racism and police violence.

I agree, racism and police violence exist but what I don't agree is people jumping into conclusion.

The girls were jaywalking, the cop told them to step over to his vehicle, one of the girls decided to ignore the police and began to walk away. The cop approached her and escorted her back, she started to yell at him. Whatever happens afterward was caught on video.

Yes, the cop could've handled the situation better but who the hell punches a cop? The girls broke the law by jaywalking (I am sure everyone has done this at least once in his/her life time but have a little respect by not doing it in the presence of the police); Then they verbally abused the cop and physically assaulted him. What the hell did you expect?

Then comes the issue about racism. What if it were white girls? Honestly, I think white girls would have begged and flirted instead of punching the cop! It's not about race at all, it's about breaking the law!!!

Are we being racist towards the girls or the cop now? What if it was a black female officer against two white guys? I think people are being sexist as well. It is not OK for a female to assault an officer.

I side with the officer, there were no reports on broken nose, bleeding etc meaning it was very likely that he didn't punch her with full force. The police put their lives at risks every day and they deserve some respect. Imagine if this is what they are up against with 2 teenage girls jaywalking, then what exactly are cops facing on a daily basis when it comes to drug dealers, terrorist, serial killers etc?

My best friend in Canada is black, my godson is brown, my goddaughter is yellow and my husband is white. As far as I am concerned, we are one big colorful, happy and healthy family. To me, this incident had nothing to do with racism.

I hope they will find it a lawful action after their "thorough investigation", otherwise, I am not sure who runs the town anymore.

Thursday 10 June 2010

Animals can explode naturally

I read on the internet that animals can explode naturally and it happens more often than you expect!! I am not referring to the human induced ones. I am talking about the natural causes.

It's something to do with defense mechanism, intestine disorder or build-up of natural gases created by bacteria so they start to expand until the pressure is way too much and they explode! Explosions of toads in attempt to look bigger when attacked by crows in Germany, self detonating ants to protect their nests from intruders in Asia, deers, sheep...

Interesting.

R laughed at me when I tried to tell him about this phenomenon and it triggered me to wonder if humans can explode naturally too. I told R I wanted him to explode when he laughed at my English.

With the way he is stuffing his face now, I hope he explodes. HA!!!

Tuesday 8 June 2010

Do you see a big white sheet or do you see the little black dot in the middle?

Before I logged onto facebook tonight, I was going to moan about how shit my day had been, the never ending problems at work, someone else's problems that somehow have been made to be my problems, nasty people etc etc...

Before I logged onto facebook tonight, I was going to moan about how much weight I have put on and how this is such an unfair world in which some people eat everything and they don't put on weight, or how an ex should never look better than they did when they were with you because they deserve nothing but somehow they still have the looks that kill and you...just look like an average 31 year old.

Before I logged onto facebook tonight, I was going to moan about the drunken white guy who stank of alcohol was trying to make some nonsense chat with me on the bus and I ignored him and he basically visually harassed me with his eyes and I thought he was following me home when it turned out that he lived in the same block as me!

Until I logged onto facebook, all in all, today was a shit day.

After I logged onto facebook tonight, I learnt that a very old classmate from HHC died in her bed last night. Leaving behind her 2 beautiful children and her devastated husband who found her dead in the morning.

Sarah was 30 years old. She was young, healthy and normal. Just like me.

I looked up in disbelief and searched for my husband to find some comfort. And there he was in the kitchen, preparing my dinner for me. It wasn't any dinner, it was salad with lean meat, because I complained about our unhealthy lifestyle and because he wants to lose weight too.

I looked at my dogs, my 2 beautiful lovely dogs. I looked at our plants, our beautiful house, all our gadgets - new TV, new cable, new laptops and all our little toys....

Then I looked at my husband again, and he smiled at me and said dinner would be ready any time I was. Then my cousin called and said he wanted to have dinner next week because he missed me.

I asked myself again, did I have a nice day today?

Yes I did, I had a fabulous today.

So do you see a big white sheet or do you see the little black dot in the middle?

Enjoy what you have and just be happy.

Yet, I can't help but be sad, that I have to learn it in such a way.

Thank you Sarah. Thank you for teaching me that life is truly too short and you never know when it will be your last living day, so you should live it to the fullest, like there is no tomorrow. This lesson will be with me for the rest of my life, thank you.

Rest in peace, Sarah. Sleep well.

Saturday 15 May 2010

2012 Apocalypse: Are the Mayans right?

Interesting.

NASA warns of super solar storm in 2012 in which our sun will release a tsunami of radiation, potentially wiping out our space satellites, power lines, and leaving entire continents without power.

Without power - no electricity, no mobiles, no internet, no satellite, no power in the fridge, no heating in the winter, NO MORE TV!!!

In 1859 there was a solar storm and it was the largest geomagnetic storm in recorded history.

2012 is also a prophecy predicted by the ancient-Mayans civilization.

Is this super solar storm the real deal? I think I am just too obsessed with all the mythical stuff or it's just that I watch way too much TV or movies.

What exactly can you do anyway? Quit your job and go traveling for a year and a half until it happens? Do you have kids or not? Drop everything and do what you would do if today was the last day of your life?

I have still got quiet a few things on my bucket list, my numbers can't be up yet.

Sunday 9 May 2010

Have a little Faith...


What a pleasant afternoon with my little goddaughter Faith, whom I insist is my godsister by the way.

It's strange how I barely spend any time with her but we bonded right away. Faith was babbling on while I babbled back as if we understood each other. There were a few funny moments.

She is a little angel sent from Heaven, as her name suggests. At 8-months, she is healthy, happy and extremely cute!!!

You are going to break a lot of hearts baby.


Saturday 17 April 2010

There was an article about the cruelty associated with shark fin soup in the HK Magazine, which reminded me of a conversation I had with a girl I met in Apo Island where I went for a diving trip last Christmas.

The girl asked me as a Chinese, what my opinion was on killing sharks for our shark fin soup.

To be frank, I almost lied by saying how I didn't care about it and that it's part of our tradition which she should bloody well respect, just to piss her off.

The truth though, was simple. We just don't hear about stuff like that in Hong Kong. I have never ever heard of how sharks are killed for our shark fin soup. Just like a normal person wouldn't make a big deal about how cows are slaughtered or how pigs are killed.

After Apo Island, I researched on it and I was horrified. I had no idea that people just cut their fins off and throw them back into the sea. I thought sharks were treated like cows, that they would be chopped up and every part would serve different purposes such as the eye balls for high school biology classes, ox tail for soup, ox tongue for Japanese yakitori etc.

The obtaining of shark fins is basically the same as chopping your hands off and leaving you to die a slow death.

I am not that bothered about the extinction of sharks, although I should be; but I am bothered by the cruelty and waste of resources!!!

I personally would not go for shark fin soup anymore but it's such a traditional and social thing in Hong Kong. Discussing this with the older generation would be like discussing about the sexual abuse crisis in the Roman Catholic church. The topic is very real, it's wrong, it shouldn't have happened and should never happen again. But it is what it is and it's a very difficult topic.

Good news is, our generation don't care much. We live in a more globalized world with internet access that we can see these things for ourselves. We are younger, more adaptive to change and we can easily justify how not having shark fin soup in a wedding banquet doesn't make it inferior. At least I can, and my friends can, for sure.

I saw a whale shark when I went diving in Apo Island and it's something I will never ever forget. I hope the new generation will be better informed and better educated to avoid the extinction of sharks, one of the most amazing creatures in the world.

Friday 16 April 2010

Jupiter's Icy Moons

I was channel surfing a few weeks ago when I came across an interesting program about one of Jupiter's icy moons called Europa.

Europa is an ocean world and the whole program was filled with theories and discussions about how where there is water, there is possibility of life.

My question is, why would anyone think that there is no life or living organisms or so-called aliens outside our planet, Earth?

The current population on Earth is about 6.8 billion. We have 9 planets in our Solar System (I am including Pluto) and our sun is only one of over 100 billion stars in the Milky Way Galaxy. I don't need to see an "alien" to believe that there is definitely life, maybe in a different form of humans, outside Earth.

With the way we destroy Earth every day and the angry ways the Earth fights back through unpredictable tsunamis, earthquakes and volcano eruptions, it's just a matter of time when humans have to migrate to another planet, just like the way we migrate from one country to another.

Thank God that I will be in Heaven or would have become fish food by the time this happens and it will be kind of like watching 2012 from "up there."

Just a little thought.

Monday 12 April 2010

Butterfly Bun - Sweet Memories

It's strange how little things can bring back great memories. I found this butterfly bun in the village of Clifton, Bristol during a recent trip to the UK.

I have always had a sweet tooth but this was different. It brought back the sweet memories of my childhood when the mother of a friend used to make these butterfly buns.

The buns were excellent but it was the caring and kindness this family
had offered me for letting me stay at their place on the weekends when I attended a boarding school in Belfast.

They expected absolutely nothing in return.

Until today, I am still full of gratitude.

I am not sure whether this is something one can find in this evil, competitive, dog-eat-dog world or maybe I have become rather pessimistic.

Regardless, I am thankful and grateful for the families who had taken cared of me when I was in the UK and although I don't keep in touch with many of them anymore, I think about them from time to time and I wish them well.

Sweet dreams.