When is too old to read love stories?

I first read the simplified version of Pride and Prejudice when I was 14 and since then, I fell in love with it because it's a classical version of Prince Charming and Snow White. When I grew older, I realised that the love they talked about in the 18-19th century was just shallow since the couples might not really understand one another before they decided to live under the same roof. But I was still enchanted by the beautiful language and the elegance of the characters.

And now, I do appreciate the subtlety and the suspense in love stories. Look at how hard Jane tried to hide her feelings when Mr Bingley went back to London. And how Mr Darcy helped the Bennets in secret when Lydia ran away with Mr Wickham. And Bella and Edward's lamb-and-lion relationship in Twilight. And Clare's years of waiting in Time Traveller's Wife. They're all beautiful.

Love is something not to be mentioned all the time -- you can feel it when it's around. What's more, the most appealing part of a relationship usually appears before the start of a relationship. It's when you start to feel the love but having no proof whether it really exists. It's the suspense that drives people crazy. But always romantic.

The most important part, though often neglected in Austen's novels, is of course marriage. Some could live happily ever after with their Princes Charming but unfortunately, most of the others don't. "My Daughter's Memory Keeper" will tell you all about it -- how a seemingly wonderful relationshiop could be ruined by a few wrong decisions.

A classic love story is timeless and will linger in your mind long after you have turned the final page.

A Colourful Life

"At the end of our life our questions are simple: Did I live fully? Did I love well?"

"Do all you can with what you have, in the time you have, in the place you are."

Yes, I'm moved by these quotes when I first read them. I'm sure we've all known these ideas for long but how many of us are willing to, or bother to squeeze some leisure time to achieve that?

Being lost in work and life in the first few years after graduation, I suddenly realised one day that my life couldn't go on like that forever. I reckoned I deserved better. I'm so lucky that I took the first move to find whatever interested me instead of baulking at the idea of doing something I'd never done before.

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"Volunteers are seldom paid; not because they are worthless, but because they are PRICELESS!"

My few voluntary work experiences are definitely wonderful because they've provided great opportunities for improving the quality of life, gaining exposure to different new ideas, meeting interesting people, networking and personal growth. People say that my career is a dull one but after all these years of experiences, I believe that it's not the job nature but the attitude that matters. And one of my many ways to make my life colourful and keep a positive attitude is to be involved in voluntary work. It makes life more fascinating because it's always full of surprises!

"Dance like nobody's watching; love like you've never been hurt. Sing like nobody's listening; live like it's heaven on earth."
-- Mark Twain

Come and join us!

An Incident for Thought

It's about the experience I had yesterday morning, at the minibus station on the way to work.

I heard a middle-aged couple quarrel vigorously at the station. Though I couldn't believe my eyes, I ignored them and got on the mini-bus. There was an innocent junior secondary girl weeping in the single back seat and then I suddenly realized the couple were her parents. We could all hear them quarrel because the mini-bus was still waiting for passengers in the early morning.

I didn't know why they did so in the public but I did feel sorry for the girl. She's just too young to bear all these alone on the mini-bus, the exposed shame of the family.

I moved to the back and gave her a pack of tissue paper and she took it without looking at me. And when the mini-bus left the station and she was finally away from her parents, I invited her to sit next to me. She was still crying. The poor girl was kind of frightened by my invitation but she still moved and sat next to me at the back.

I comforted her a little during the journey though I knew I couldn't help her much. I just said a few words from time to time because I gussed what she needed was just someone to be with her, to make her calm herself down before she started her day at school. A nice girl she was, she said thank you and gave me a few timid responses. She told me the quarrel started just because of her carelessness for losing a wallet. She admitted it was all about her.

But that was still too much for her. I could feel her sorrow. It must have been a terrible experience for her. She didn't deserve the pain, did she?

I guessed she did feel better at the end because she stopped sobbing finally. I said a few words of encouragement and left, hoping she was strong enough to bear all these in her young age.

This incident certainly gave us food for thought.

I'll miss you, my Edward!

(This entry just talks about my feeling, not even a single plot in the Twilight Saga.)

"Twlight is an extraordinary love story that will stay with you long after you have turned the final page."

That's very true. In fact, it was quite an amazing experience for me because I have never felt so mesmerised by a book:
1) I was able to read the Twilight Saga (4 books altogether) in just 9 days.
2) Abandoning all routines (like practicing cello, cooking dinner etc.) without feeling guility.
3) Nothing was in my mind except wanting to read the novels -- not even remembering what I have had for dinner, for example.

The story of Edward and Bella is so fascinating in a way that I was greatly touched by the almost-impossible teenage love story as if I had fallen greatly in love for the first time. I just felt so familiar with the characters as though they really existed. Though I'm not satisfied with every plot the author created, a strong feeling still stayed long enough after reading each book, and my favourite scenes kept flash in my mind again and again.

I'm going to miss every bit of feeling the Twilight Saga gave me.

Favourite Quotes -- Breaking Dawn

I’ve been waiting a century to marry you, Miss Swan. (Edward)

I tried to comprehend, through the film of tears blinding me, the surreal fact that this amazing person was mine. (Bella)

Fire and ice, somehow existing together without destroying each other. More proof that I belonged with him. (Bella)

I don’t care about anything but keeping her alive. If it’s a child she wants, she can have it. She can have half a dozen babies. Anything she wants. She can have puppies, if that’s what it takes. (Edward)

The moment Bella’s heart stops beating, I will be begging for you to kill me. (Edward)

Goodbye, Jacob, my brother… my son. (Edward)

Now you know. No one’s ever loved anyone as much as I love you. (Bella)

Favourite Quotes -- Eclipse

I’ll be back so soon you won’t have time to miss me. Look after my heart — I’ve left it with you. (Edward)

You are the only one who has ever touched my heart. It will always be yours. (Edward)

If there were any way for me to become human for you — no matter what the price was, I would pay it. (Edward)

I supposed it’s a little outdated. Old-fashioned, just like me. (Edward)

All of my best nights have happened since I met you. (Edward)

When I left you, Bella, I left you bleeding. Jacob was the one to stitch you back up again. That was bound to leave its mark — on both of you. I’m not sure those kinds of stitches dissolve on their own. I can’t blame either of you for something I made necessary. I may gain forgiveness, but that doesn’t let me escape the consequences. (Edward)

Favourite Quotes -- New Moon

I promise that this will be the last time you’ll see me. I won’t come back. I won’t put you through anything like this again. You can go on with your life without any more interference from me. It will be as if I’d never existed. (Edward)

I could see it in your eyes, that you honestly believed that I didn’t want you anymore. The most absurd, ridiculous concept—as if there were any way that I could exist without needing you! (Edward)

Before you, Bella, my life was like a moonless night. Very dark, but there were stars—points of light and reason… And then you shot across my sky like a meteor. Suddenly everything was on fire; there was brilliancy, there was beauty. When you were gone, when the meteor had fallen over the horizon, everything went black. Nothing had changed, but my eyes were blinded by the light. I couldn’t see the stars anymore. And there was no more reason for anything. (Edward)

My heart hasn’t beat in almost ninety years, but this was different. It was like my heart was gone—like I was hollow. Like I’d left everything that was inside me here with you. (Edward)

Well, I’m nearly a hundred and ten. It’s time I settled down. (Edward)

Favourite Quotes -- Twilight

What if I’m not a superhero? What if I’m the bad guy? (Edward)

About three things I was absolutely positive. First, Edward was a vampire. Second, there was part of him — and I didn’t know how potent that part might be — that thirsted for my blood. And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him. (Bella)

It’s like you’ve taken half my self away with you. (Edward)

For almost ninety years I’ve walked among my kind, and yours… all the time thinking I was complete in myself, not realizing what I was seeking. And not finding anything, because you weren’t alive yet. (Edward)

Talking about Obsession

Well, I know it's a bit crossing the line but why bother? There's no harm done so why can't I, once in a while, to be obsessed with something I'm really crazy about, like the crush I have on my Edward Cullen?

I have to admit that the elements in this story are no different from that of other romance you have read in your teenage. But together with the mysterious vampire and werewolf tales, the witty lines, the romance, the almost-perfect male protagonist have already driven me crazy.

There're many things for me to worry about every day so I guess it's a good idea to immerse in an imaginary world that allows me to enjoy and relax. Besides, realising I'm still young enough to do crazy stuff like reading the first two novels in 3 days and getting really hooked on a character, be frank, I kind of feel good and proud of myself! Perhaps this is another reason why I don't bother to control my fascination (maybe you can call it obsession) towards the novels and the characters.

So please don't make a face at me next time when you see me totally absorbed in the book -- I won't compromise anyway and you know very clearly that I'll be back to my normal life after I've finished all the 4 books.

Just give me some crazy time.

What can I do? What should I do? What will I do?

After all those difficult times I've gone through, I thought it just disappeared without trace. The strong feeling of disappointment appeared at the beginning no longer stayed after some time. But now the terrible (yet not so terrible sometimes) sensation pops up in my mind again suddenly without any notice.
I'm not sure what I'm going to do.
Jesus Christ! Can I just let it go?

Packing for Trip

Alright, I have to admit that my suitcase now weights 18.8kg. That means with 1.2kg more, I'll be charged for overloading on the day I return to Hong Kong.

But the fact is the suitcase alone weights 7kg. It's soooo unfair!!! I know my beloved clothes will be the one to sacrifice~!

Part-time Job

I'VE ALREADY GOT 880 DONE!!! WILL ONLY DO 120 MORE AND I DON'T FxxxING CARE THE REST!!!
I NEED SOME HOLIDAY BEFORE THE NEXT PART-TIME JOB STARTIG NEXT TUE!~

(This picture exactly describes my nightmare~ That's right, I'm paid to click in front of a computer! :-P)

Confession of a Fashionholic

First of all, let me make one thing absolutely clear -- I'm no way a shopaholic, as compared to my two lovely friends Leopard and Clam. They're much crazier than I am when it comes to spending money on fashion items.

But I just realise how crazy I am when I'm determined to choose a perfect outfit for parties or dates. It'll be my colleague's wedding banquet tomorrow so I was busy looking for accessories and stuff to match with my tube dress in the morning. Clothes were spread all over the bed and I was also busy walking around the flat finding the perfect shoes and earrings to match with it.

And all of a sudden, I realised I was ECSTATIC about it! I don't mean to suppress and deny my feeling but since when it has been one of my favourite things to do at home? Since my university study or way back in the 90's? Well, but i know peer influence has a great impact...

Anyway, I have to admit that matching outfits is one of the most fabulous things to do! Hurray!

Feeling frustrated again...

Please free your kids if they can’t fit into an EMI school!

You know? Some just can’t cope with the school culture and no matter how hard you try, they just can’t meet the school’s requirement. Now I know sometimes effort just can’t help because they are too far behind the others (in both academic performance AND attitude)!

The teachers have already tried their best and spent a lot of extra time in helping them to do just a little bit better. They also phone you several times a month, just hoping parent-teacher communication could help solve the problem. But you know this just can’t help but why do you still insist on putting your beloved kids in a place that they don’t belong to? Knowing that they suffer from failure every lesson, I really feel sorry for them, don’t you?

Please let go! They’re suffering, struggling and stressful and under enormous pressure every minute at school! When you and your kids have already tried all you can but things don’t change, it’s time to leave. If not, they’ll lead a very unhappy life at school. When time goes by, they’ll feel less and less motivated in their studies and eventually lose interest in any kinds of learning! I’ve seen enough of these tragedies!

For God’s sake, please don’t ruin their life! Why don’t you free your kids?

Being doubtful

The following news all happened on the same day.

1) 6 歲 女 遭 母 鐵 棍 虐 打 恐 變 植 物 人

2) 倒 吊 毒 打 禁 錮 迫 吃 嘔 吐 物 糞 便 獸 父 虐 妻 兒 囚 7 次 終 身

3) 連 續 侵 犯 達 15 年 美 技 工 與 妹 亂 倫 誕 7 子 女

4) 美 漢 涉 偕 友 姦 殺 6 歲 繼 女

5) 英 13 歲 爸 爸 疑 「 食 死 貓 」

Source: Apple Daily, 15th Feb 2009

Isn't it our responsible to love and take care of our kids?
How come some of us are so cold-blooded that they even harm their offsprings?
And why is human relationship so vulnerable?
Okay, I admit that I'm very confused and have too many questions to ask at the moment.
But who's able to solve all my doubts? Who's still certain that we're able to give our kids bright future?
What we can do is to pray for those kids...

Marking Progress

I'm sick of marking...

During the Christmas holiday, I marked 6 piles of compositions and countless reports and drama projects.
Since I got back to work, I've finished marking 8 piles of English exam papers and 5 piles of messy History exam papers.

Now, I'm strugling with the last pile of compositions.

In the coming weekend, I have to mark 2 piles of writing exam papers.
After that, I need to mark composition corrections and check composition folders, not to mention the long-forgotten lesson planning...

OMG, how come life is so stressful? When will it come to an end?

Merry X'Mas

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

This online video experies on 15/01/2009

共鳴

世上唯一付出與收穫成正比的事

世上唯一付出與收穫成正比的事，或最有機會成正比的事，就是美貌。

撇除天災人禍不計。

各有前因莫羨人，別怨人家天生天香國色，自己則是醜小鴨要投放大量資源才可扭轉困局。

或許，人家前生修橋補路，你就殺人放火呢。

髮型不好看髮質不好？用正確方法洗頭，勤修剪護理，別貪便宜，找個適合的的hair stylist囉。

皮膚粗糙有暗瘡有雀斑？看醫生，飲食配合，勤力護膚，上美容院囉。

不懂化妝？去上堂學囉，practice makes perfect。

指甲啞黃單薄甲型奇怪？做gel nail遮醜或天天塗hardener囉。

永遠有三十磅減不去？世上沒有減不了的肥，只視乎你願意流多少汗水和捱餓多久。

即使嫌棄自己五官醜陋平胸小腿粗壯，都總有辦法解決。

要化醜為妍，過程漫長而且時時令人氣餒。

世事沒多少盡如人意，相對掌握男人，掌握美麗已經易過借火。

有一個朋友討厭自己腳掌大要穿39號鞋，常羨慕別人能穿35、36號鞋，這就真的無可奈何。

某次在酒樓午膳，看到鄰桌一名鯨吞了十碟點心身型有如中央圖書館五官平庸一頭甩色啡金髮化妝七零八落的女士高聲跟坐在對面友人說：「唓！d男人淨係鍾意追靚女，心地好唔係重要d咩？如果我想自己變靚，話咁易啦，不過我情願識個男人欣賞我內在美囉。」

我繼續低頭看八卦雜誌，但心裡講了一句：「你老味，食飽死返上屋企發你個春秋大夢啦，訓訓下就會有條仔買埋外賣送上門o架啦。」

A Terrible Truth

It has been reported to me that a timid boy in my class has been bullyed for 2 consecutive months since the start of the term. Feeling shocked, I talked to the students concerned and referred the case to the discipline team. Things were not that bad at first but after talking with them, more truths have been revealed, making the issue more complicated.

It's not my first time to deal with a bullying case but this one really makes me suffer a lot emotionally. I still can't believe a group of 13-year-old boys, who still look childish and innocent, have bullied a classmate physically and mentally in a way that I thought such case would never happen in a renowned school.

On one hand, I'm glad that timely action can be taken before it grows into a huge trouble. On the other hand, I feel really fed up because I feel sorry for the miserable life the poor timid boy had.

Education is not just transmitting knowledge. It's more than that. But when it comes to value education, we often feel helpless because family influence always plays a much bigger part.

18 October 2008

It has come to the big day finally. It's a remarkable day because we've now come to a new stage in life. It's a lifetime commitment that keeps us connected forever and to become each other's lifelong companion.

I'll love you till the end of the day. Let us walk hand in hand and grow old together.