The Power of Tiffany

Saw this ad on NYTimes' electronic paper. Doesn't it make you smile? Doesn't it make you want to come closer and try to find out what's in it?

The ad is powerful; or I should say, branding is powerful. The ad is succinct, it's pure (!), it's immediately recognizable, and it draws your attention by that tiny placid aqua of a tranquil lake.

OK, maybe it'll set off the butterflies in the guys' stomachs to fly in all crazy directions.

To Watch List

Sunny/Cloudy.19C

As my small mind has been pre-occupied by various deadlines and homework lately, I think I'd better jot down what upcoming movies to watch out before I forget about them all.

- Becoming Jane (how can I miss this?? Just noticed this on imdb when I was checking out news of Ian Richardson's death. And guess who's going to be the young Jane? It's Andreaaaah in The Devil wears Prada)
- The Queen (ok, it's finally coming to HK on Mar 1)
- Protege (a little closer. it'll be in theatre tomorrow! Very likely will take mum to watch this over the long weekend) watched on 2/20/07
- Music and Lyrics (just because I like Hugh Grant, but then, it's more likely to be a vcd/dvd candidate)
- Hannibal Rising
- Pan's Labyrinth
and then there are these two with very confusing titles but equally intriguing plot
- Little Children (with my favs - Kate Winslet & Jennifer Connelly!!)
- Children of Men (but I don't like Clive Owen)

and of course
- Harry Potter V in the summer!
um... no idea if these are to be shown this year at all...
- The Invasion
- Golden Compass

and there are still a few that are showing but I still haven't made any action to get myself into a cinema seat, so they are likely to become the next vcd/dvd candidate:
- Marie Antoinette
- Copying Beethoven
- Perfume
- Fur

I'm sure i'm missing a lot more but these are the ones that I could remember for now...

塔羅啟示

從小都被叫做神婆,但其實我只是八卦,對很多神佛的事情都是一知半解.因此也不會跟人家說你要怎樣怎樣.不過,小時候倒是很沉迷星座,甚至有想過要學占星學.但後來發覺太複雜和不外如是之後,就傾向對天文學比較有興趣.但還是太懶了,說要學要學,說到現在還沒開始.真不知道甚麼時候才會開始呢.

說我八卦,其實也是對自己的過去未來好奇.當然有時候也會對自己沒信心,怕自己分析錯誤做了不對的決定.從來我都覺得很神奇,居然會有人找得到那麼科學的方法去問卜.祭師們真的聽得懂神諭?占卜師們真的看得到水晶球裏的未來?當人感到徬徨無助,做不了決定的時候總會希望有人(或其他的力量)來幫他們決定.是人怕做錯了決定後自己會後悔?不能推卸到別人身上讓自己沒臉?推卸給別人讓自己減輕愧疚和罪惡感?

雖然我沒有真正的去找人算命,但躊躇不決時,也會玩玩這個採用大十字法的塔羅遊戲.問卜這回事,通常那解大都是模稜兩可的可以,我當然不會盡信,就當是消遣消遣也好呀.


這是我問應否轉工(因為看到了一份好像很刺激又有前/錢途的工)的答案:













A. 過去、原因:
好像很正面似的.似乎是一個正確的開始.













B. 狀況、現在：
是暗示我在找的工種正確?但我連自己也不太確定那份工是否真正的適合我自己!













C. 將會怎樣、之後:
如果換得成工,當然會有轉變.可是好像很恐怖的.
-聰明的選擇接受--那就是一定要轉,別無他選?
-要犧牲目前一切--現在的悠閒?現在那些不用用腦的工作?還是...???













D. 目前週遭的狀況、對問題所知:
那是...要做好準備迎接新的工作?













E. 結果、應該怎麼做:
喔...似乎一開始了就不能停止.其實說得也是,既然有離心了,獨留軀殼在這裡,神遊太虛的,又怎能做出甚麼好成績來???

年尾出糧

多雲.溫暖.22C

終於領略到銀行五天結算這個改變對我出糧的影響了.

我們是於每月二十日發薪水的.以前如果二十日是星期日的話,會計部會於星期六便過數給我們.但上一個月剛好,二十日是星期六,我禮拜五已經在想可能今天沒糧出了.一直的在網上銀行查戶口結餘,查到禮拜六下午都還沒有.我就只知道要等到星期一了，而不會在之前的一個星期五發薪水!星期一回到公司大家都收到人事部的電郵關於有關安排,還好像很理所當然的.

那個禮拜五回家,我用很「婆仔」的語調跟我媽說這一個月的家用要延後幾天.因為呀,公司為了要省那一天的利息.所以我還未出糧呀.我媽就說,嘩,妳那家甚麼鬼公司,那麼孤寒(噢,物以類聚嘛...),一天的利息也要省下來!(我那一份的人工當然不多.但全公司上下這麼多人,還有那麼多那些高薪厚職的,那數目其實也甚為龐大.)其實,我那天,真的很想寫電郵給會計部去罵他們.因為很多人真的會等那筆錢的嘛...過了一天,週轉不來,叫人怎麼辦?!

不經不覺,這個月又快到了出糧的日子了.一看日曆,哇~二十號又是假期.難道,要我們等到過年後才有糧發?!正在和同事們討論到底甚麼時候會出糧,收件箱就彈出了人事部的電郵!

這次,公司居然非常體貼地提早在十五日出糧給我們!(如果是獅子家族銀行戶口的話才是十五日,其他銀行就得多等一天.)套秘書阿姨的話,「真的好感動哦!」大概公司也知道中國人過年很重要,不能拖到過了年才出糧.如果他們真的是這麼做,不知道會不會被人投訴呢?

暈床浪

繼續放晴.24c(難道春天已到?!)

原來不只我一個人睡得不好會有這種情形!

第一次發生的時候,大概是在綿羊國吧.那天晚上睡著睡著,突然之間醒了過來.頭昏腦脹,耳朵充滿了雜音,好像看科幻片裏那些外星人的高頻率話音一樣.完全摸不著頭腦到底在發生甚麼事,心裏害怕得要死.只記得剛好是側睡,不敢轉身過去看一下身後有些甚麼.其實,也轉不了身.我也攪不清是怕得身體都僵掉了還是有甚麼物體導致,反正清醒的那幾分鐘就一直側著身子.頭勉強可以稍稍往後轉一下.大概是心理作祟吧,還隱約「看到」有兩個模糊的身影在交頭接耳.房間彷彿在旋轉,東西變得像一團暗暗的光影.我還以為真的有外星人來了要來把我拐走,而那些光影就是太空船或是他們的交通工具.不記得是否那一陣子一直看科幻神怪片所以才有此經歷.不過到後來再發生時就大概理解到那是因為睡得不好而產生幻覺.

這情況也有再發生過一、兩次,那是回流之後的事了.大概是太遲睡了吧.一倒在床上,腦袋已經是早早打烊的了,可是突然間卻來個天旋地轉.心裡面只好儘量告訴自己要安靜下來,不要被那漩渦一般的暈眩騷擾.就這樣,暈了一會兒,就睡得死死了.[我平時是不會暈車浪或暈船浪的,但居然會在自己的床上暈床浪!]

睡眠大概也要有規律吧.要按時睡.不能睡太少,也不能睡過多.睡前別看鬼怪片(或聽電台鬼故).最近睡得不太夠,希望不會暈床浪吧.

Asking Questions in Class

One Fine, Rather Humid, Night.19C

There are two sessions of the first year students in my program. One has classes on one Tuesday plus Saturday afternoon, while the other has a full Saturday of 2 classes. This, of course, was only planned for the core courses, as the electives would have all sorts of different crazy time slots. So, somehow, the weekday + weekend session people don't really mingle with the full weekend session people. I guess it's quite natural - there is simply very little chance for us to see the other class. Even if we do, we have each formed our little circles and it was difficult to break into them. And why should we anyway, if we were just going to the other session because we couldn't make it to our own session?

Anyway, in addition to the different time schedule, it seems that some distinction has been drawn between the two sessions by our professors. My session has been repeatedly commented by various professors as a much quieter class. (One professor has nicely put it that we were the "smarter" class.) They always say that it must be because we are exhausted from work and so we don't ask any questions.

That could be true. But, I think that only constitutes 10% of the reality. I think it's just because my session has more people who have already learnt the material, and are shier to raise questions in class. There are a couple who always ask questions, but seriously, those questions are rather irrelevant. I also noticed that quite a few people like to talk to professors during the breaks. That is good use of time, I reckon. But sometimes I find it quite awkward that those people were really just trying to make conversation because they didn't have anything constructive to ask/talk to the professor. (But, well, social talk could be good. I guess at least the profs will recognise your face.) Then, time is not so well used, at least, maybe from the professor's point of view.

I admire those who ask questions or make comments in class. It is a bold act - you give in yourself to the possibility of being seen as a dim-wit when you ask an obvious question, or you confuse 99% of the class and people start labeling you as an outlier (which, could lead to an outsider). There is this "face" problem. And then, there is this problem of revealing your cards in your hands. Whichever it maybe, people (especially in HK) tend to keep quiet even when they are in doubt. Discussion forums are not popular either for similar reasons.

This then means classes are not very productive as there is no discussion. It is rather a pity, but that seems like how the classes are turning out now. People are afraid to talk - they are afraid to make mistakes. No new ideas are sparkled, no doubts are solved. Professors have to keep asking whether we have any question, as if to reassure themselves that we have been attentive and alert. Classes become boring and unnecessary. We might as well go home and finish the reading and write the exam on the assigned day. Professors may eventually become the person who falls asleep in class.

On the other hand, is it more constructive in the other session that has so many quesitons? I have been to their classes a few times, yet I could not determine. There were some good questions, but most of the time, they were asking questions that I didn't understand (or I couldn't figure out where they got the idea from to ask those questions). Maybe, I wasn't thinking as hard as they did. Maybe, I have gone to classes leaving my brain behind at home.

Maybe, I should start working harder and try harder to understand thoroughly what has be taught in class.

不如不見

晴．21C!

第一次聽時沒注意歌詞,只覺很好聽.過了幾天,在別人的部落格上看到歌詞,再一次沒留意.(我通常看到別人貼歌詞都會略過.)彷彿想要迴避甚麼似的.

終於買了碟回來聽.臨睡前,燈熄了.躺在黑漆漆的房間裡,靜得連針掉在地上都聽得見.醫神的歌聲哀怨又清楚地把一個一個字吐出來.聽到中段,眼淚自己跑出來了.

似等了一百年　忽已明白　即使再見面　成熟地表演　不如不見

今早坐在巴士上,mp3又播著這首歌.以為,不是第一次聽了...但到了同一位置,眼淚還是不自由主地流下來.

還是,不要再聽吧.

喜事重重

燦爛陽光.16C

剛與師傅和水晶參加人上人的婚宴(三人皆是舊同事),熱鬧非常,喜氣洋洋,大家都十分高興.六星級酒店的海景宴會庭呈長方形,看起來並不是很大的地方也擠了二十四桌(每桌十二人),實在神奇.

談起來,原來連連兩個禮拜都要赴宴的我並不是最慘的一個.水晶說她一個月裏有三頓喜酒,每隔一個禮拜就得乖乖奉上人情去那些千篇一律的婚宴.師傅也不遑多讓,今天去了之後,禮拜六和日還陸續有來.聽完我只能給予無限同情.

人上人(因他名字三個字都是企人邊,所以我就給他改了這花名囉)一年前就跟老婆仔到台南去拍婚紗照.有些照片看起來真的很有明星、歌星拍唱片封套、電影海報或寫真集的感覺.婚宴中投射機不停地播著這些照片,幾乎有點被洗腦了.後來我們跑到外面去看他們的照相本子,有些我們覺得更利害的照片卻沒放進去影片中,有些浪費了.

師傅原來已經靜悄悄地定了好日子(好高興喔!).我問那他可也會像人上人擺些明星照的姿勢讓我們看看?師傅說有些pose看起來很不自然,很奇怪哦.我說,可是有些真的很好看!!!不過,人上人很高,他老婆仔也跟他差不多高,所以照片看起來當然像歌手與模特兒囉.

還以為今年的喜酒到此告一段落(雖然現在才二月,但我的朋友們應該要結的都結了.還未的呢,又好像還沒有著落.),原來是未完的結局.你們呀,還有誰要結婚,誰要請我,努煩您們早早通知,讓我先存存錢做人情!不然到時候又出現拮据的情況就大不妙啦.

但說到底,喜事呀,還是很值得高興的!

No Comment

Sunny.Dry.Cool.19C

It sucks, doesn't it, when you want to leave a comment on one of the entries that you've just read but you couldn't... because there is a bug and the hosting server/provider couldn't figure it out and fix it within 24 hours?

Well, I'm having one of those "No Comment" day today.

So, sorry folks, not that I didn't want you guys to leave any comment on my blog, but Blogger is having an issue with it. :P

I've just read this post that someone's got a temp fix. Ooooook, i'm going to give that a try!

[ok. i tried. the temp fix worked. just click on the post comment link as usual and you should get the annoying error. BUT THEN, go to the address bar and type a "2" after www so it becomes "www2.blogger.com/post-edit...". and that'd work. i tried. :)

Thanks to dreamflow for sharing this workaround! And thanks to all of you who've let me know... one way or the other. :)]

Bread and Butter Pudding

Great Cool Night.16C

I've just had a great buffet dinner with the annual party committee members at the Grand Cafe of the Grand Hyatt Hotel. Not only the food was wonderful, but I have heard many interesting stories. Anyway, back to the food. It was magnificent. There were many choices: sashimi (it was ok, I think Cafe Too at Is-Shang was MUCH better, if the quality was still the same as that time I went so many years ago), seafood (mussels, shrimps, some sort of shell :P), great steak, lamb chop, fish, lobsters (I didn't have this because I don't really like lobsters), various types of salad, onion soup (I missed it!!!), cream of smoked salmon soup, water crest & pork rib soup (Chinese), and you can create your own noodles. And... there is a great selection of cheese (though not something that I'd touch) and DESSERTS!

Of the desserts, they have crepes, again with your own choice of fillings, sprinkled in heavenly dark chocolate sauce; waffles; various cakes, such as tiramisu (it's divine! The cake/lady's finger portion at the bottom was soaked in the right amount of rum so it's not too wet. The mascarpone cheese was not too soft and mushy, instead it's quite bouncy and like a rather stiff foam. Oh, it was so much better than the one I made. This would be my goal!), black forest cake, apple strudel, mango pudding, mango cheese cake, white chocolate ice cream, Chinese cup cake (I don't know how should I call it, but it's 缽仔糕), honey dew melon, hami melon, water melon, and the green apple sorbet that I really wanted to try but missed because I was way too full to take another sip.

And O-M-G! They actually have bread and butter pudding with vanilla sauce!!!!!

I seriously have screamed it out loud when I saw the little card in front of the dish as it's covered. I couldn't believe that they would prepare it. And the British girl was rather astonished to see my reaction as I guess not many people, especially Asian, would like this rather dull and simple looking dessert.

My first bite was in Philly when my college friend took me to this Irish bar/restaurant in downtown one day. I love it the moment I tasted it. The bread and butter pudding (though similar, but different from bread pudding) we had was actually all soaked in custard sauce, a little harder, but you still couldn't feel that it's really bread. Anyway, it's divine. The portion was actually quite big and we two girls just gulped it all down. (um.. hopefully I remember it correctly, otherwise I'm making up my memories.) And from that moment on, whenever I go to a British/Irish restaurant, I would look for bread and butter pudding, just as I would look for tiramisu when I go to an Italian restaurant or green tea ice-cream at a Japanese restaurant.

And tonight's was not a disappointment, though the bread was like the mascarpone cheese in the tiramisu, it's a little cheesier and foamier than I have expected. Yet the texture was smooth and the vanilla sauce... oh, I just wanted to melt in it!

I don't know how much is the buffet, but I think it'll be very expensive. And the only thing that would lure me back will not be the lobster nor the sashimi, but the bread and butter pudding!

(sorry... didn't take any photos as it'd look kinda weird.)