6 days left

6 days before school starts but there're still 4 piles of compositions (+ other trivial assignments) waiting for me... Can i manage to finish marking all of them? I doubt.

I bet the problem is probably because of my poor concentration. It's becoming worse when I'm getting older. Or maybe marking assignments is soooo boring that I try to get rid of it unconsciously (or even consciously).

It's important to get the job done. I need to keep reminding myself that the consequences of not completing the tasks would be terrible. If the composition marking + exam paper + new MA courses all happen together in January, I would probably feel suffocated... It would be terrible if it happens again...

Alright, I'll stop moaning right now and go back to work.

Merry Christmas ~ Little Elves are Dancing in the Snow

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!
Wish you all a fruitful holiday!

This little present is from Clark & I:
http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1743647347

Children see. Children do. 2

I played the youtube video in a F. 5 class and related it to a language-related activity. But it ended up as a moral education lesson. I told them that I was a bit depressed after watching it and I wanted to do something about it. So, I showed it to them and I hope they can spread the message to make the world a better place for children.

Copied from a blog:

如果一個人所表現的舉止神態，是與其身邊所接觸的人和事有直接關系的話；那麼這個人的意識形態，便是由這等因素結合演變出來，即是說，有怎樣的行為模具，便會生產出該等式樣的行為樣辦。

看了本星期的 [ 星期二檔案 ] ：尋找少年夢。我看在眼裡別有一番感受。

在節目中，我看到參與其中的一眾青少年，說的不留情面一點，他們這班十四、五歲的少男少女，目光呆滯、坐得懶洋洋、神情有如發白日夢；導師在說話時如神遊太虛，又私下耳語交談、極不專心。 我看到他們這副樣子，正好就是時下所謂的潮童動力少青，好像很自我、很有自信，但又不願意做好本份；好像很響往反叛，但卻只有聲無力，活像一條有半條生命的廢柴。如果說他們就是未來的社會新動力，真的祝君好運。

我不怪他們，因為他們這種德性，何嘗不和他們的父母教導有關？

現在的所謂親子，說的好聽是愛護他們、給他們最好的，他們是貴賓，他們永遠是對的、他們是弱小的、是時刻要受保護的、他們是不能面對風浪的、他們不應有任何壓力的、是世界欠了他們的。

不要怪孩子，父母請先自我確認清楚，自己是否適合當父母。

http://strikingkonggirls.blogspot.com/

Children see. Children do.

Work-life balance

Quoted from Wikipedia:

"The expression work-life balance was first used in 1986 in the US to help explain the unhealthy life choices that many people were making; they were choosing to neglect other important area of their lives such as family, friends, and hobbies in favor of work-related chores and goals."

Well, that's the reason why Clark and I have both got new jobs. We've a strong belief that work can't take our life, family and friends away so that's why we were so determined to get better jobs in the previous months.

Thanks god the goal is now achieved and we've better quality of life than before (though I'm still constantly struggling with my study). I'm always looking forward to the time when I've finished all the awful linguistics courses. I hope I can pick up the cello again and manage to do my job better!

A Relaxing Monday

Haven't felt so relaxed for several weeks. After the medical check-up, and having my hair trimmed and straightened, I spent almost the rest of the afternoon wandering in Telford and reading newspaper during my afternoon tea. Suddenly realised how quickly time flies. Christmas is coming again!


It's a dangerous time for me because shopping malls (even the small one next to where I live!) usually play soft music box melodies all day long during Christmas time. I will immediately get into the mood of shopping when I hear those music.

Luckily I bought nothing except a box of almond and tofu biscuits because I couldn't see things clearly after the check-up!

Look at my new hair style! (Big forehead is now covered up by the fringe!)


Mum and dad are away for a 6-day trip. It's time for me to experiment with cooking skills. I've cooked a fairly satisfactory meal for 3-4 people today! 5 more days to go, keep going!

Big Forehead Day

I LOVE MY BIG FOREHEAD! And I also love patting it gently.

Gala Flamenca Dance

Flamenco night! Really love watching this passionate dance! The dancers were very skillful and talented but this time there wasn't any pas de deux (雙人舞)... I was quite disappointed actually...
But tonight is good enough because your companion can always make things better.

German Bierfest 2007

Energetic band, chicken dance, cheesy pasta, cold beer...
Interesting people, late Halloween gifts to the Brazilian children, made-in-China animal doll, American navy...
Beautiful harbour view, breezy and cool evening... these are the memories of our first German Bierfest!

Can't wait to go there again next year!

Love stories and women; Reality and men

It's always been interesting to read my best friend J's blog. She talked about two movies that I love recently -- Lust, Caution and Becoming Jane. Here's her comment on the two movies:

"即使時代,背景,風格,遭遇各有不同,都一樣寫出令人回味既故事
女人與愛情,從來都係故事既開端...
而男人與現實...就...."

Ha, that's the distinction between fantasy and reality... what a cruel fact to learn!

Priority and Hesitation

Thanks for loving me without hesitation.
Thanks for telling me that you're so determined to love me that you need no second thoughts.

I believe love is when you have a crush on someone, you show determination to win his/ her heart. No hesitations. No second thoughts.

But is someone really in love if hesitation exists?
If you still consider whether or not to change your mind when there're other opportunities in front of you, do you think you're ready to be devoted to a new relationship?

I doubt.

The Facebook Song

Amazing~

facebook
facebook facebook facebook
facebook facebook and i want you as my friend
and email to you
they will send same at you
have a friend request
on facebook facebook
and i want you to confirm my friend request
and determine if you've ever seen me then you will say YES
facebook facebook
i could then poke you
you can poke me too
anytime night or day
only trouble is
facebook i'm wasting my life away
i need you so facebook
i want you so
thats why i woo whenever i stalk you sorry 'cause it's true
and facebook facebook facebook facebook
facebook facebook
won't you be my friend

Blue

After the can't-be-worse nightmare on the early morning of last Monday, my mood has become so unstable. I felt so blue throughout the week. I was tired all day and I cried easily.

Maybe F is right. Maybe it's because of some unconscious thoughts deep down in my mind. Or maybe it's just the pressure from work and study. I don't understand what it is but all I want is to stay away from the blue mood.

Suffocated

Have been very busy recently... Well, it's not extremely busy to be frank, it's just the pressure that makes me feel suffocated.

With a tired mind, and a tired body, I don't really think last week was enjoyable.

Hope things will become better this week.

Lust, Caution

Just watched the film with Clark. The two main characters are portrayed clearly and the plots are, though not complicated, unexpectedly magnificent. To be frank, I don't know much about movies so all I can say is that Lust, Caution can successfully depict the struggles and dark side of human beings.
It's a good movie that you can't miss!

Click here for a well-written film review

A Letter

I've started working again for 2 weeks. I was extremely exhausted in the first week because it is a crucial period to set up routines. And I really get fed up sometimes. It's not because of the workload but of my clients' attitude. They won't care about their work unless you get really angry with them or if you insist to give punishment every time when they get into trouble.

Until recently, a letter has brightened me up. It's letter from a senior form girl. Her words have reminded me of the advice from one of my teachers. I was in F.7. I asked her if this career was suitable for me. She didn't answer me but just reminded me that it might not be a rewarding career because what you did would not be appreciated until a long period of time.

I can't be fed up so easily.

"Fire keeps glowing, spirit never dies!"

Wedding Photos 2 -- obsession

The edited photos finally arrived. As I've said, they are even better than the raw ones!
I'm too happy with the photos that I almost look at them every day! Really like the style, the clothes and the backgrounds very much~!

Wedding Photos

Went to SiChun last week for photo-taking. The trip was excellent despite the horrible traffic and extremely poor hygienic condition in rural areas. I'm not going to mention it again because I don't want to recall my nightmares.

The photos are great, at least they're what Clark and I want (I believe the edited ones would be even better, hope I can receive them soon) Some friends of ours like them a lot and said they're artistic while some said they're not so desirable. Clark's mum even complains a lot about the photos. Maybe her mum thinks a good wedding photo should be like those she took 25 years ago (!!!).

Of course we are a bit disappointed when we hear these comments but we do understand that people have different expectations of wedding photos -- some prefer to show the couples' faces clearly and the background should not outcast the couple, while some, like us, like to talk about the overall effect and diversity of photos.

Well, we're kind of frustrated at the beginning but we soon figure out the photos are definitely what we want. If not, we can just take photos in HK.

And now I'm planning to take another set of photos (if Clark agrees) with a totally different style! :-)

貨不對辦

本來早已放棄了用中文打blog, 但這次不用中文吐不快...

做完Facial心情大好, 一心想吃一個高於快餐店水準的下午茶, 看到椰林閣的選擇很多, 於是入坐落Order, 點了一個"日式咖哩海鮮炒飯" (Fried Rice with Japanese Curry and Seafood). 怎料來了一客中式炒飯 -- 是黃色的乾身的米, 加了咖哩粉, 還有蟹柳, 魷魚和雜豆! 向侍應問個究竟, 他說這就是他們的日式咖哩海鮮炒飯. 為免加料, 我放棄了換餐...

日式咖哩不是啡色的咖哩醬加薯仔嗎? 為甚麼變了揚州炒飯!





心目中的日式咖哩飯




令人大失所望的揚州炒飯 (非原圖, 但賣相九成相似)

Health Series 2 -- Fantasy

Boys may wonder what things are happening in the female changing room at the gym. Sweaty young women walking naked, girls chatting gaily when having shower and ladies checking up their body shape in mirror proudly are scenes that rarely happen. Actually I've never seen them before.

When actually happening are middle-aged women talking about the share market loudly (you can hear them talking once you step into the changing room), spraying eye-irritating fat-burn oil in the stuffy tiny sauna room, and scolding janitors for not providing enough drinking water.

So don't be fooled by TV commericals anymore.