无为

念书的时候，最喜欢庄子的“无为”。其实，我对庄子思想并没有太深入的了解，对“无为”与其说是深谙其真义，倒不如说是断章取义，以“无为”穿凿附会，为自己的行为和思维强辩吧。最近，家里添了个小宝宝。突然之间，身边多了很多分享养儿育女经验的家长。有的推崇严刑厉法，有的强调爱的教育，真可说是百家争鸣。一时之间，我家成了古早时候的书院。看着眼前众多一张一合的嘴巴，突然想起了我的父母。印象中，从小到大，父母都不曾应用哪一派的理论来教育我们。如果非要找个核心思想，那或许就是儒家的“仁”吧。不过，在传授“仁”的过程中，他们采取的态度更接近我所理解、所推崇的“无为”。其实，我也不太清楚，父母是否有意识的采取“无为“的态度，但无论怎样，我们都健康、“乖巧”地成长了。

莫过于等

世间最触动心灵深处的感觉，莫过于等。这是林雨桑《莫过于等》的开场白。等待，是一个过程，而终点可能遥不可及，甚至根本没有所谓的终点。然而，在睡与醒之间、在呼与吸之间，我们却都在等待，也只能等待，等待一切自然循环的开始与结束。

愤怒

今天，《新报》报道了三名英国旅客如何欺负一名年迈的三轮车夫，其中一名旅客还将他们欺压三轮车夫的过程录下，上载到互联网去。当他和友人的行为遭口诛笔伐时，他还强辩，当时他们的确“不够敏感”，但不承认欺负老人。拜托！三个大男人挤上一辆三轮车，途中以老人听不懂的语言讥笑他，还把他气喘吁吁的模样录下、上载；原本该付15元，却只丢下5元就跳上德士！这不是欺负是什么？昨天上课时，研讨了几年前一篇有关中国信访村的报道，他们的故事让人心酸。两起事件相隔多年，横跨国度，施压者不同，但“欺负”、“不公平”的本质却一样。真的很不明白，人与人之间为什么要互相欺压？最让人感到悲哀的是，不会有人为他们讨回一个公道的。我只希望，欺压人者终获报应。

满周

小雄，你满周了，过去这个星期，因为你看起来如此柔弱，阿姨一直不敢抱你。今天，你爸爸将你放在我的手上，阿姨一动都不敢动，就这样双手轻轻地撑着你，而你也静静地躺着。我们就这样做了第一次的亲密接触。来日方长，想必会有很多时候必须帮你妈妈抱你，希望阿姨能够尽快勇敢起来，能够撑起你的所有重量，陪你一起探索这个世界。

祝福

2007年10月20日，我在香港梧桐寨远足，你在莱佛士医院诞生。因为人算不如天算，我错过了在第一时间迎接你的到来，但亲爱的小朋友，远在异地的阿姨在享受眼前美丽的瀑布和竹林的当儿，还是惦记着你的。3天后在医院和你初次见面，小小的你一直眯着眼睛，你眼前的世界是怎么样的？我无法想象，但我希望，当你长大后，所看见的都会是美丽的事物。你小小的手脚不停地蹬动，仿佛要挣脱束缚着你的衣物。我无法知道，你的脑袋瓜里此刻在想些什么，但我希望，当你长大后，能够在你喜欢的领域里，毫无牵绊地、自由地翱翔。

假厉害

朋友经常说：“厉害就好，不要假厉害。”（要用福建话说哦）偏偏就有人喜欢假厉害，自以为幽默，但其实他永远都捉不到重点，不知道问题所在。没本事，就请自量，不要害人又不利己。想要干一番大事业，那也要有干大事的气魄啊。没有？拜托帮帮忙，靠边站去，别妨碍地球转！

蓝天

今天很晒、很热。但是，天空很蓝。蓝得深邃、蓝得把白云衬托得更白。今天，一位朋友说，这个部落格的布条照片很好看。心情很靓。

在人群中，寂寞

连续看了两个周末的演唱会。一个年轻女生，一个中年男人；一个主流，一个非主流；一个提供感觉，一个勾起回忆。两人南辕北辙，但都让我在人群中，寂寞。

理智，别走！

今天看报纸，我的天！教师的薪水和我的薪水之间的差距，竟然可以是一个白领员工的月薪！怎么办？穷疯了，投身教育界吧！不行！理智，别远离我！不要让金钱蒙蔽了我的双眼！

Robert Frost -The Road Less Traveled

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that, the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I -
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

**********************************

One of my favourite peoms. What courage it takes, to take the road less traveled? Do I have this courage, to embark on my journey?

纪念日

10月1日，儿童节。不是儿童，没有假日。10月1日，剃头3个月。偶尔在梦里去到冰天雪地的国度，头发还是长的，能够为后颈和耳朵提供温度。早上醒来，抹去额头上的汗珠，庆幸头发还是短的。

世界变了样

去年6月，随护国金塔寺到缅甸去供僧。当时虽然行色匆匆，但对缅甸仍然留下深刻印象。不，不是风景。是当地人的轻声柔气，是当地人的纯朴，是当地人的善良。还记得，我在卡古塔林专心拍照时，突见眼前的缅甸人全都跪下了，原来是大师父们经过。我为眼前所见深深感动，为了一颗颗虔诚的心。后来，在迎瑞湖，所乘坐的摩托船撞毁了一艘舢板，还割伤了一位老奶奶的手。老奶奶痛得大哭，附近渔村的村民都出来看。如果这个情况发生在其他国家，也许我们就被狠狠地敲一笔了。可是，可爱的缅甸人，他们只顾着查看老奶奶的伤势，完全没有理会我们。后来，我们凑了些钱，让老奶奶看医生去，他们还不肯收。那里原本是宁静的。现在，却变了天。血腥镇压，还会持续多久？

身外物

忙里偷闲清理房间，才发现竟然累积这么多的身外物。衣橱里的衣服，有些挂了十几年都没有穿。把心一横，凡是超过一个月没穿的衣服，全都装进袋子里，准备送人。其实，一个人需要的不多，只是不知道为什么，总是会在不知不觉中累积那么多没有什么用处的东西。需要什么？让我知道吧？也许我这里有，可能还是全新的。

分岔路

如果人生来到了分岔路，应该如何选择？是跟随自己的意愿？还是为了别人而浪费时间和金钱接受无效的治疗？其实，人生的尽头并不可怕，可怕的是身边的人比你还紧张、还害怕。人生即将结束，其实也没什么，难过的是身边的人比你还伤心。

什么态度？

一个人的态度将决定生活旅程的风景是否美丽。当然，积极与否，乐观与否，的确与本性息息相关，但本性真的难移吗？自认不是个天生积极、乐观的人，不过，在栽了几个跟头后，还能不学乖吗？积极看待事物，容易海阔天空；消极面对人生，当然总是阴天。人的一生，自然会有起有落。遇到挫折时，也绝对有生气、有难过、有发牢骚的权力。不过，之后呢？是雨一直下？还是等一个晴天？就看你采取的是……什么态度！

习惯

用了三年的数码相机，已经习惯在按下快门之后查看显示屏，若不理想就再拍过。记忆卡满了，就把拍得不好的照片删掉。重新使用胶卷，还是在按下快门之后，习惯性地看一看相机，但现在却没有显示屏。按下快门的刹那，也成为永恒，无从删除。是时候改变习惯了，不能拍了再看，必须记得看清楚了再按下快门。

磨练

老板说：“加入公司将近7个月，应该什么都学会了。我会再安排你新任务。这是磨练。”同事说，他疯了，因为这些工作都不是新人能够胜任的。朋友说，也许他想栽培我。虽然栽培和剥削的分界线很模糊，但有功劳他共享，有问题我独担，应该不算栽培吧？不过，半年来，已从最初的气愤，到现在的淡然。因为在无意间，发现他的可悲，发现他狂妄背后的自卑。要和这样的老板相处，要达到各种不合理的要求，他说的是对的，这真的是磨练。

海啸

印尼发生大地震，引发海啸警报。槟城一些市民不但没有做好往高处逃的准备，还聚集在岸边等着看海啸。我对姐姐说，这些人疯了。姐姐淡淡一笑：“你以为你不会吗？”沉默片刻，原来我也是疯子，虽然我不会在岸边等海啸。

暗房

第一次接触摄影，拍的正是黑白照，国大摄影学会主办的课程。时间，一天。从此，暗房的氛围在心里扎了根。多年以后，重新走入暗房，熟悉的药水味让我有点晕眩，有点“近乡情怯”，结果状况百出。惭愧的是，第一卷胶卷所拍的照片都不堪入目。虽然我找了很多借口，没有阳光啦、没时间啦，等等。但，真正缺乏的应该是态度吧。朋友说，冲洗黑白照需要花很多时间和心思，因此他们总是尽量冲洗一张好照片。散漫惯了，缺乏像朋友那样积极的态度，活该拍不出一张好照片

九一一

今天是九一一。那一年，发生历史性惨案的前几天，我刚从日本回来，准备年底到土耳其去。后来，土耳其没去成。事发当天，一位住在美国的朋友原本会到世贸中心去，还好临时改变主意。之后，奥萨马时不时就会发布视频影像，提醒世人他的丰功伟绩。我只是好奇，人们什么时候才可以停止斗争，让我们放心地去旅行？

保重

今天到机场送一位朋友，他这一走，将会是至少5年，也许更久。人与人之间的缘聚缘散挺奇妙的，和他认识其实不是很久，也不是太熟。之前短暂的相处，感觉还好，对于他的远行，没有离别的感觉。一切都是淡淡的。希望朋友在接下来的日子好好保重，而我也必须记得一个承诺：明年要带他母亲上山探访他。

我要快乐

过去几天，因为老板不合理的要求而生气。却在这个时候，收到《琉璃坊》寄来的杂志，里面以一张我拍摄的照片，配合一篇文章《你可以不生气》。是巧合？是因缘？面对目前的情况，早已有了预设的“必然结果”。既然如此，又何必生气。而且，明知道生气是无济于事的。归根结底，是因为偏执，所以有意识地生气。看完文章，执著在莞尔中烟消云散。

《你可以不生气》

过去几天，一直因为老板一些不合理的要求而生气。然后，看到了《琉璃坊》中的一篇文章《你可以不生气》。

是巧合？是因缘？这篇文章怎么出现得这么及时？

的确，人的情绪波动有时候是难以控制的，特别是脾气暴躁如我者。然而，生气有用吗？

很遗憾的，一般上，生气是没有用的。如果生气没有用，那为何还要生气？不就是苦了自己，或者身边的人，而对方却依然逍遥。

更重要的一点是，这一次生老板的气，完全是出于自己的选择。

其实，不是一早就已经做好决定了吗？顺应着形势的发展，随之而来的是早已预设好的“必然结果”。因此，我完全可以不生老板的气。不过，我却在有意识的情况下，和老板生气。哈哈，玄吗？

生气与否，原来真的可以选择的。

看完文章后，偏执在莞尔中放下了。

接下来的局势会如何发展，冥冥中自有安排，是现阶段如何设想也无助于事的。现在不生气了，就够了。

e.e. cummings - anyone lived in a pretty how town

anyone lived in a pretty how town
(with up so floating many bells down)
spring summer autumn winter
he sang his didn't he danced his did
Women and men(both little and small)
cared for anyone not at all
they sowed their isn't they reaped their same
sun moon stars rain
children guessed(but only a few
and down they forgot as up they grew
autumn winter spring summer)
that noone loved him more by more
when by now and tree by leaf
she laughed his joy she cried his grief
bird by snow and stir by still
anyone's any was all to her
someones married their everyones
laughed their cryings and did their dance
(sleep wake hope and then)they
said their nevers they slept their dream
stars rain sun moon
(and only the snow can begin to explain
how children are apt to forget to remember
with up so floating many bells down)
one day anyone died i guess
(and noone stooped to kiss his face)
busy folk buried them side by side
little by little and was by was
all by all and deep by deep
and more by more they dream their sleep
noone and anyone earth by april
wish by spirit and if by yes.
Women and men(both dong and ding)
summer autumn winter spring
reaped their sowing and went their came
sun moon stars rain
*********************************************
come to know about the poet and this poem through "If there is a season". Although what I heard from the play wasn't exactly the same as the poem, it still touched me somehow......

some intro on the author E.E. Cummings(1894 - 1962)
an American poet, painter, essayist, and playwright. His body of work encompasses more than 900 poems, several plays and essays, numerous drawings, sketches, and paintings, as well as two novels. He is remembered as a preeminent voice of 20th century poetry, as well as one of the most enduringly popular.
sources from Wikipedia,the free encyclopedia

天冷就回来

8月18日，《天冷就回来》下午场。剧情不算新颖，演员的唱功有待加强。不过，歌曲很经典，布景设计相当不错。男女主角的爱情故事，散场后我就记不太清楚了。但是比萨店老板说，妈妈临终时还喊着他的名字，对他说：“天冷了，就回来吧。”情节很老套。忽然想起，1999年日本东京的一个冬夜，我走过长长的冷冷清清的街来到一个孤单单伫立在一角的公共电话亭。遥远的新加坡的一个夜晚下起了大雨，妈妈起床关窗时，一直碎碎念，不知道那一夜我在什么地方过夜…….姐姐在电话那端如是说。冷冷的空气，让眼泪的温度更显著。8月18日，下了一场好大的雨，有点冷。

说故事的照片

曾经，因为身边摄坛高手围绕，总遗憾自己的望尘莫及。直到……她说，摄影技术好并不代表什么，一张好照片本身应该有说故事的能力。他说，好的照片一看就很有感觉，有些则需文字的辅助。于是，单纯地拿起相机，拍摄心中的画面吧。

新天地

喜欢旅行、喜欢摄影、喜欢不拥挤的空间、喜欢不务正业。当原有的空间开始拥挤，只好出走，另寻一片天。

When the branches fell

Not too long ago, there were reports on death caused by falling branches. My sis warned me to be more careful when I go for my trek.

Trust me, careful is not the word, LUCK is......

One cooling night, after having a nice gathering at Demsey Hut, I was walking towards the carpark with siblings. We heard a slight "tsk tsk" sound, the next second a few branches landed on the floor, creating a loud "bang". One of them brushed against my temple and hit hard on the shoulder. OUCH!

But, what a close escape! Just another cm to my left, I will be labelled by the media as "Another victim of falling branches".

I was told to listen carefully for suspicious sound, apparently it doesn't help. When the branches decided to fall, they will come fast and hard.

And I guess, it works the same for any kind of accident. So, instead of telling someone be careful, maybe we should change to GOOD LUCK?

From the North to the South……(The South)

After Vang Vien, we spent a day at Vientiane before we headed south to Pakse in a super comfortable VIP bus. Dinner and drink and wet towel and candies were provided. And the air con worked. Hee hee.. but the adventure only began when we arrived at Pakse..

5) Paksong – “haunted house”

JM said, most people stayed at Paksong, which is abt an hour journey from Pakse and so we went. Sam, an Austria guy, was with us.

In Paksong, there are only two guesthouse, we went to Paksong Guesthouse (USD5) which listed in Lonely Planet…. We were lazy to check out the guesthouse next door, anyway its just for a night.

In the day time, the room was fine… when we returned in the evening after visited two waterfalls… the room began to look eerie…

No flushing system in the toilet, there was a huge tall water container instead. And you could see a thick black layer down at the bottom… I don’t know wats that…its kinda scary.. And its party time for all kinds of insects!

Its only later then I found out that JM was scared of that water container too… ha ha…

However, the guesthouse owner has a cute dog. He wanted to play with me, so he kept hitting my leg with a stick.. but dear dog.. it’s a stick full of spikes! OUCH!

6) Tow Huey & Hum Chin Ben

We were trying to get some breakfast before we left Paksong. Hey! I saw a woman selling Tow Huey (Bean curd) in the market! JM asked: “ you dare to eat meh?” Thats my favourite, I am not going to give it a miss. Sam hesitated… but joined me later… followed by JM …. We were all fine

Oh, there are stalls selling You Tiao and Hum Chin Ben too…Yum yum……

7) Pakse – Transportation

In Pakse, there are 3 bus stations. During our short stay in the South, we had been to all three. As its raining season, so the bus stations are very muddy. The bus system was not very established, so when we wanted to go Paksong, we went up and down a few buses before we were on the ‘right’ bus.

A common transportation here is “sawngthaew”, its sth like tuk tuk, but instead of motorbike, it’s a truck. We were ‘packed’ together with vegetables while traveling from Paksong to Pakse… Later we realized we were lucky, some were “packed” with fish! Hee hee…

Pakse bus station is also the place I nearly blew my top. The tuk tuk drivers here were very aggressive compared to the North. In the North, all you need to do is smile at them politely and say No.. they will not disturb you further. But not here… they will just keep crowd around you ……

Arghh… Leave me alone!! I don’t like human!!!

8) Khone Pha Pheng Waterfall

This is where the Mekong falls……

It is introduced as the largest cascade in Southeast Asia, with its 15m high and 1km wide rock formation, forcing the calm flow of the Mekong to roar through its narrow gorges.

A guy actually crossed over to the other side using a rope tied on the trees… dangerous!

But it’s a nice place to stone……We spent quite some time there……

9) Don Deth

Don Deth is one of the 4000 islands in the South. A place without luxury…The room here is cheap, 15k kip/room. Of course, no attached toilet. Condition wise… well…. A heaven for spiders… Hee hee…

There are villages, padi fields on the island. We rented a bike to explore the place…. The scenery along the trail is nice, I believe I will enjoy more if I can cycle beta… Hee hee…With my great riding skill, I nearly dashed into one of the padi fields…

Although the condition on the island is not very good, I enjoyed my two days stay. Rain always come ard 3p.m and go in the evening…. which make a perfect nap time at the hammock outside the room……

I told JM: “I am going to stay here. Could you please inform my sis to bank $200 into my account every month? Then I can lead a comfortable life here liao..”

But of course… my dream never come true, I am back home… sigh……Next trip please!

From the North to the South……(The North)

Had a two week break from 1/7 - 14/7, travelled from Northern Laos to Southern Laos. I have heard much about Northern Laos, and didnt expect the Southern Laos is so different from the North.... an interesting trip...a few unforgettable experiences...

 

1) Udon Thani - Vientiane

Hmm...taking things for granted, we thought the mini van we took at Nong Kai will wait for us to clear Laos custom and bring us right into VT ... So we happily left our luggage on the van. Soon we realised, NO! The van will leave once its filled! Argghh, dont tell me I am going to lose my luggage even before my actual journey begin?

Phew, luckily we didnt take long to clear custom and manage to get on the same van... Ha ha...

 

Note: if you take the UTN - VT direct bus (80B) at Udon Thani bus station 1, you can leave the luggage on the bus, safe! And you will arrive at VT's bus station situated near the morning market. But if you are taking the van (15B) at Nong Kai bus staion, it only cross the border, so you have to bring your luggage with you, after which, you have to pay 250B to VT town centre, or 300B to the bus station.

 

2) Luang Prabang - Gate crashers

We didnt know that we need to pay entrance fees at Phu Si Hill. So when a woman asked us to pay 20k kips, we were stone for awhile. Happened that a Chinese lady came along with her boyfriend, she told us dont have to pay, as she paid last time but no receipt was given. So, we walked up to the hill with her.. without paying a cent...

However, JM found out later that there is actually entrance fees to Phu Si Hill, but the guide book stated 10k kip only...must be due to inflation.

But, we pay $0..

The next day, we walked along Mekong River to where Wat Xieng Thong is. The entrance fees is 20k kip. We thought, without a guide, we wont get to know much about this Wat, so we intend to just shoot from outside. Just when we were walking back to town, there is this gate with cute little kids, while we were taking their pictures, we realised that its another gate to Wat Xieng Thong and its not guarded. Hmm... maybe we dont have to pay at all...Those men at the other gates are conman. We stepped in, took a few shots, the man from the other gate walked up to us, we turned back and left. Ok, now we confirmed, everywhere has to pay...

Sorry, we really didnt mean to be gate crashers...

 

3) Luang Prabang - Monks collecting alms

In Luang Prabang, Monks collecting alms in the morning has become a tourist attraction. Yes, I am a tourist so how can I miss that?

We only manage to witness the event the morning we left LP. The air was cool, the colors were vibrant, and what attracted me most was a Scottish couple who took part in the offering. Their sincere looks touched my heart, and of course became the subject of my frames...

 

4) Vang Vien – Tubing

I cant swim but would like to give tubing a try.. it looks fun! I had my life jacket on and kept asking JM: “will I die? Wat do I do if I fell into the river?” Being very helpful, JM reassured me: “ With such strong current, swimmer will also die.” Very kind of him hor?

And JM was carrying the dry bag with our cameras, I kept telling him, you can fall into the water but make sure our cameras are dry, haha…Me not evil either ya? 

Ok, I was on the tube liao, but how come my tube not moving? Hmm… when I tried to paddle… it went in all funny directions…And the water was cold! Ha ha.. the guide and JM had to come to my rescue as and when….

Sound like a stressful trip? No lah, it was fun..

During the break, JM tried the jump into the river… Looked fun too.. but nope nope… too challenging for me…

Our very first….

Our youngest girl likes to do things unplanned. So, when she told us about the trip to Angkor Wat, we confirmed with her it’s a package tour. We definitely would not want to sleep in the open, like what she almost ended up in Japan years back. Although both of us survived WWII, we are now pampered folks.

We shouldn’t have trust her!!! The travel vouchers issued clearly stated it’s a Free and Easy Trip. What to do? When the children were young, they follow our way. Now it’s our turn to follow theirs. At least, she was kind enough to book the hotel in advance.

And to our surprise, a driver and a Chinese speaking guide were arranged. But…15mins passed the meeting time, the guide did not appear! Luckily the driver was here so we went off without the guide. We found out later that he did not appear at all. What an experience for us!

The weather was so hot! Regardless the amount of water intake, it just evaporate within minutes… we were in sauna 24hrs… worse than Egypt. And it was so dusty, we need to walk and climb most of the time. And the best part was, we were led to our very first trekking trail!!!

Our girl told us according to the guide book, we would need to “walk a little” before we can reach Kobal Spien. However, we didn’t only WALK, we need to CLIMB up rocks and steep stairs!!! And we didn’t bring enough water, it took us almost an hour before we reached destination!! And of course, that’s not the end, we had to take the same route down!

Finally four days passed and its time to go home… The "organiser" asked, “Did you enjoy the trip?”

Hmm… The trek was tough, the weather was hot, we can’t adapt to the food, all the Wats look the same to us….But we found a casino which we went every night and the morning before we flew back home, ha ha…

Well, after much thought, our answer was, “Next time we go Vietnam, we don’t need a guide, we can just hire a car like what we did in Siem Reap.”

And her reply was, “Next trip we take public transport.”

Oh gosh! Think it’s better for us to take back our words!

Hair for Hope 2007...

Dear all,
Hair for Hope is a fund raising event for children with cancer.
http://www.ccf.org.sg/hfh/index.php
 I am participating this year.. meaning I will be botak very soon :p
Hope you can donate for the kids.. Thank you :)
To donate, go to the following link, find the letter K, and click search, u will see me there..:P
http://www.ccf.org.sg/hfh/webApp/listShavees.php

Turf Club

Have always wanted to shoot a horse race..So today, I went to the turf club for the first time. Hmm.. abit blur when I was inside..but quite fun.

I reached there rather early, it was quiet, so after shooting the surrounding, I hid in one corner to nap :P By the time I woke up, omg, the quiet place had became so crowded. Hundreds of uncles, aunties and YOUNGSTERS inside betting, hoo haa-ing..

After I set up my tripod and camera, people started to stare at me, as if I was from some alien planet. Ha ha.. and some uncles actually came up to me, asked if I am from the press, and do I have any inside information :P

 

Hunk

PY gave me a fighting fish. It is so pretty that I tempted to name it  Beauty@小美,but decided to spare it from identity crisis. So, its name is now Hunk@小帅. Ok, I noe the name is abit song3, but cannot expect too much from a lazy owner like me right?

This is the first time I am keeping a fish, and I am completely lost. What to feed it with? How to change water? *fainted*

And poor 小帅，it starved for two days before it got its first meal, cos I couldn’t find food for him. 

Luckily it is a sturdy fish and it survived. However, its trauma has just started.

Last night, my brother in law and I was trying to take its picture, with the help of an online guru. I think 小帅don’t like the flash, and we were so scared that we will blind him. So, no nice picture taken, but we decided not to torture him further.

Early this morning, I changed the water for him. I was trembling… and my sis called out to him : ‘good luck! Xiaoshuai!’ Ha ha… and in the end, she has to lend me a helping hand..

Well, it is a long learning process for me… and I hope it can have a little patience with me. I bet we can get along well

娃娃《想逃》

Went Wawa's concert... very shiok! hands swollen from the claps :P A nice surprise to meet my Pre-U schoolmate, he has always appear to be super ang moh, din noe tt he actually listens to chinese songs :)

another surprise is to hear the song "xiang tao" again... a well written song by li zong sheng..

《想逃》

让我们就到这里好不好
对于爱情
我已经疲倦快要死掉
请你不要那么难过好不好　
我相信
只要时间够长你就会把我忘掉
让我们现在就挂电话好不好
对于明天
我真的一点也不想知道
请你现在就回家去 好不好
难道说
谁对谁错真的有那么重要
也许是
因为你总是对我太好
结果却让我不由自主的想逃
也许是
因为我总是付出太少
而你给我的我都不要
也许是
因为你对爱情要求太高
无论我如何努力也做不到
我承认 我做不到
也许是
因为你总是对我太好
结果却让我不由自主的想逃
也许是因为我总是付出太少
而你给我的我都不要
也许是
因为你对爱情要求太高
无论我如何努力也做不到
我承认 我做不到

http://www.71yy.com/song/21989.htm

距离是美？

以前一直不明白为什么朋友喜欢拍macro，今天心血来潮跟姐夫借了macro lens，才发现原来透过macro lens，可以看见很多平时看不见的。近距离，其实也可以很美，而且可以让人以不同的角度去看待事物。难怪当我投诉说怎么都拍不出好照片时，朋友会叫我去尝试macro。也许，真的是换一个镜头，换一个角度，转一个念头，就是一张好照片。

 

但是，macro难度不小，拍了老半天，每张照片都是朦胧美。想必当我终于拍出一张好照片时，我的臭脾气也应该被驯服了吧？

 

A joyous weekend

I had a great weekend!

 

On Saturday, while I was nua-ing at home playing computer game, sis received a call from my cousin. She said it was the opening of her brother’s handphone shop and asked if we were free to join them. Oh my god! Is it meant to be a ninki (popularity) test, to see how many people one can get by giving last minute notice? :P

And of course, we went! How could we miss such a joyous event? It’s not only a big day for my cousin, we had a great time gathering J So, allow me to do a little advertisement here:

 

KNP Electronic Mobile Service

100 Eu Tong Sen Street #B1-25

Pearl’s Centre S(059812)

Tel: 6536 3354

 

It is a small shop located at Pearl’s Centre, dealing with MP3, MP4, new & old handphones, handphones repair and handphone accessories. Among the accessories, I found a DIY mobile phone sticker, no compressor needed. Yes, it may not be as lasting as those using compressor, but it allows users to change the design as and when they feel like it. Also, it prevents the depreciation of your handphone when you trade in.

 

 

On Sunday, I went for a trek. Nice weather, beautiful blue sky and interesting commentary by Kid. However, the high note of the day was the meeting of JB and AC by chance! We went to a coffee shop for lunch after the trek, and to my surprise, AC was sitting at next table with her secondary school classmates. JB was somewhere else but we managed to catch up for a short while before we headed home. It was a real nice surprise. It has been quite sometime since we last met, distance is always an excuse :P Well, fate deserve the credit, they stay in the east and I in the south… yet we met in the north J

 

Normally by Sunday I will start to get Monday blues… but not this week! Too many beautiful things happened to keep my spirit high to welcome another week of slogging J

《走马看花土耳其》

         2001年，订了团要到土耳其去，却因911事件而取消行程。

          2006年，再次订了团要到土耳其去，伊斯坦布却在不久后发生爆炸事件！幸好，这次总算顺利成行。然而，出发前心里还是忐忑的：那里的卫生状况如何？人是否友善？空气污染指数高吗？毕竟，对这个国家的认识太少了，所得到的讯息又大都是和恐怖活动或天灾人祸有关，尤其是在出发之前的爆炸案，更是让我戴着有色眼镜上飞机。抵境后，渐渐发现自己的杞人忧天有多无聊。

 

          不知为何，印象中土耳其应该是沙尘滚滚的，也许因为“新”加坡什么都要“新”的，因此“土”耳其理所当然应该漫天“尘土”？:P　而事实上，那里的空气相当清新，冬天当然记上一功，但相信即使在夏天，空气素质应该也不会太差。街道上没有太多的垃圾桶，却不见人们随手扔下的垃圾。能够拥有这样的空气和环境，在街上散步就已经是一种幸福。

          值得一提的是，这里的厕所很干净哦。印象最深刻的是在表演肚皮舞的夜总会厕所里，竟然有提供马桶坐板套，而且不是我们常见的即用即丢纸套，是已预先安装在坐板上的塑料套！只要轻轻按钮，塑料套就会转动更新，保证了马桶坐板的卫生。

 

          土耳其的食物偏甜，而且不是普通的甜。特别是“甜”品，每一口都像是在吃糖浆，吃得味觉都麻了，两餐后我就举白旗，不再碰甜品了。然而，正宗kebah却让我回味无穷。一片一片鲜美多汁的牛肉切得薄薄的，铺在面包上，淋上酱汁，咬在嘴里非常有嚼劲。单单回想就足以让我垂涎三尺，好想再吃哦。

 

          曾经在不同地方观赏过肚皮舞，都无法体会这个舞蹈的美。这一次在土耳其看了两场肚皮舞表演，却让我彻底地对肚皮舞娘佩服得五体投地。一身性感装扮的舞娘，仿佛在腹部和臀部装置了两台马达，抖臀部和抖腹部的速度若非亲眼所见，实在难以置信。舞娘的上半身和下半身就像属于两个不同的人，扭臀、下腰、旋转，流畅的肢体动作和婀娜的体态舞出各个不可思议的角度，这当然是台下勤练多年的功力。

 

          到土耳其，不能错过其独特的托钵僧舞。这舞蹈原本是萨满教的托钵僧与天地沟通、人神相连的管道。舞者身穿白色传统长袍，头戴黑色高帽，一只手稍微高举向天，另一只手低垂向地，以同一个姿势无休止地旋转。动作看似单调，其肃穆的气氛却成功地释放一种能量，让人叹为观止，表演结束之后仍然震撼不已，久久不能自己。

 

          人在旅途，有时候风景仅仅是背景，回忆是否美丽往往取决于所遇到的人与事。出发之前，因为其不时发生的爆炸案，因此会担心土耳其人是否都是凶神恶煞的“恐怖分子”？然而，走在街上，看到的大多是俊男美女，他们非但没有想象中的凶神恶煞，脸上刻着“恐怖分子”的字眼，而且很友善、热情，会向旅客微笑、打招呼。周围的环境气氛宁静，实在难以和恐怖活动挂钩。当然，防范之心还是要有的。

          也许是很少见到华人的缘故，在土耳其人的认知里，长得像我们这个样的都是日本人，因此无论男女老幼，开口闭口就是konnichiwa。他们对我们充满好奇，但成年人只是含蓄地看着我们微笑，小孩和青少年则是肆无忌惮地一路簇拥，问东问西。然而，无论如何向他们介绍我们来自新加坡，他们还是一知半解地在分手时大喊sayonara。

          旅行时，将有民族特色的当地人作为摄影的题材已成为纪念旅程的一种方式。而这一次到土耳其，却轮到我们成为当地人的摄影题材。看见一架架的相机对着自己拍，是一次特别的经验，却也让我有些费解。曾经到过埃及、挪威等地，这些地方的华人也不多，但当地人都不曾如此兴奋、好奇。这是因为到土耳其的华人真的那么少，加上热情的土耳其人本性求知欲旺，对不熟悉的人或事物都要探个究竟？又或者我们的东方脸孔对他们来说是具有相当吸引力的神秘民族特色？想要感受当明星的滋味，到土耳其去应该不会让你失望:P

 

 

          旅行，是认识一个国家的最佳途径。这次的土耳其之行，却因脚步匆匆，加上身心都有些疲惫，无法更深一层地感受这个国家的内涵，真的觉得有点糟蹋了这次的旅程，惭愧。然而，仍然深切地体会，要认识任何人、事、物，都必须亲自用心地从多方面去了解。若非这次顺利成行，土耳其在我心里将永远都只是一个充满尘土、危机处处的地方。

Tree top walk

Hurray! after talking for so long, missed a few outings, today finally I get to do the tree top walk @ MacRitchie :) J said we walked about 11km... hmm.. have not been exercise for a long time, this is kinda of an achievement.

My resolution for year 2007, be more hardworking (well, my sister and brother turned their heads away when i told them this ) and be healthier... so must make sure I exercise more regularly :P

Looking forward to more of such walks :)