Wednesday, February 28, 2007

有錢落袋

很無聊的一天.天陰.風大.22C

財爺派錢,蟻民如我有錢收當然高興非常.但我不禁替區庫有點擔心.

經濟好,不能加稅來增加收入,還得減稅「回饋市民」(陰謀論一點就是要為了爭取連任和正面評分);經濟不景時,收入大大減少,才來加稅以增加收入(這當然行不通)??派了錢,可又要被誰和誰說不照顧X層市民,其實財爺也真難做.

唉,當然我沒有那料子去算這些數,但看他這樣子派錢,真的有點怕如果股災/蕭條又來的時候會怎辦...

Tuesday, February 27, 2007

Shocks & Surprises

Sunny.22C

I was really shocked when I heard that my ex-big boss had a stroke and was hospitalised in ICU for a week. My ex-big boss is a Brit, mid-30s, married and gave birth to the most angelic looking boy I have ever seen (in live) just about two years ago. She ate healthily (at least she tried to, when I was still in the office), cranberry juice, half a Pret sandwich or panini, apple/banana/some other fruits. She also tried to work out every other day as her apartment building has a gym. Because of the baby she has to sleep early as well or she wouldn't have enough energy to take care of him and work at the same time (well, she has a maid)... ...

How possible could she be having a stroke?

Mum said maybe it's stress from work. There could be a lot of other reasons that we just don't know.

I don't hate or dislike her, but I honestly cannot say that I like her, let alone like working for her. Big part of the reason that I have left my previous job was because of her management skills and her personality. She is not a bad person, but she just isn't manager material and would be difficult to work with. She bad mouthed people publicly in the office, tried to forbid us to talk to each other in Cantonese because she doesn't understand... She thought money was almighty and people would stay for higher pay, but no, we lost 3 people in our team during one year when there was only a total of 5. I had the opportunity to promote to manager, but would I want to face a boss like that every day?

No.

That's why I ran away, without really thinking clear enough where I was running to. But that's history.

Anyway, she was actually quite nice to me and I wouldn't wish anything evil to happen to her so hearing her having a stroke wasn't anything pleasant but shocking. I've actually sent her a card before the Chinese New Year but I guess she hasn't got it yet because she hasn't been back to work yet. I've just run into her after lunch. She looked a bit weary but at least well enough to walk around the mall. Hope she'll recover her full strength soon.


And when you asked how was my work and my boss. I said fine. I so wish that I could tell you I have switched... to a much better place.

***

Had lunch with a friend today, received a couple of surprising news. Learnt that you're getting back with your XGF. Interesting... hehe... well, I wouldn't know which ex-gf that was but it's good news, isn't it?

***

This one came really as a surprise, even though I have been waiting to receive the news. But, I was really happy to hear it. Congrats, Jo dear!! I supposed my first trip to Bali would be to your wedding. I better locate someone to go with me or it'd be so weird for me to be there alone.

Monday, February 26, 2007

我是獨生女

天陰陰.我好想回家.22C

平常我是不會轉貼文章的.可是今天百無聊賴,清理公司電郵郵箱裏的私人folder的時候看到這篇,覺得頗有意思的.也可以印證一下我自己有沒有文章裏的特徵或我是多典型的獨生女(因為很多人說看不出我是獨生小孩呀).


獨生子,獨生女
A)一般特徵:
1. 他們很容易自得其樂,有自尊,<- 對! 卻不會企圖控制別人。 <-是不好意思去控制別人吧.要不然,我是極其沒耐性的.遇上一大堆人又做不了決定的話,我就一定會「控制別人」囉.
2. 他們通常早熟,失去天真與頑皮,也許有成就,卻在看到自己不可能完美無缺時,自暴自棄。 <- 全對!
3. 他們通常生活在自己的世界裡,對事情的輕重有自己的看法。 <- 全對!
4. 他們常很難和家庭分離,特別無法離開父母,一但離開,會因此感到內疚與不忠。 <- 哎呀,對呀!換句話就是,並不是我不出去玩,只是想到媽一個人在家就會不好意思囉.

B)在工作中:
1. 他們常一心博取比他們年長或有權勢人的歡心, <- 對! 而且常常成功。 <- 唔...
2. 他們通常缺乏主動性,需要人來推動。不過一但開始,他們會工作得很出色。 <- 是呀是呀!
3. 他們通常要求完美,寧願完全放棄也不湊合。 <- 常有的事.但長大了懂得取捨.
4. 他們很習慣自己生活裡嚴密的格式,所以不願有意外發生,對於改變計畫等「彈性」的處理,有很大的抗拒。 <- 也算是吧!
5. 他們習慣一帆風順,所以當事情出現問題,他們的反應可能與事情的輕重不成比例。 <- 不幸地是!

C)作為朋友:
1. 他們通常興趣廣泛,但因為早熟,通常和其他孩子的社交有隔閡,因此善結交比他們大很多的朋友。 <- 是!
2. 因為獨處比較自在,他們傾向一次只要一個親密的朋友。 <- 對,真慘!如果是大組聚會,最後我通常都會自閉.
3. 他們對有時適應過多夥伴的不同性格感到困難。 <- 這倒沒有.
4. 當社會狀況變得緊張時,他們可能重回獨來獨往的習慣。 <- 還未遇到.
5. 他們通常不會道歉,感到原諒自己和原諒別人一樣困難。 <- 中!

D)作為配偶:
1. 因為他們不習慣跟其他孩子生活在一起,所以常不知如何處理親密關係。 <- 不知道呢...
2. 他們喜歡一切整潔、有序和守時,若配偶不能做到,就會有問題。 <- 也是不知道.不過,這是很有可能發生的事情.

E)專家建議:
1. 事情不見得都會照你的意思發展,而且有時候讓別人參與一下,也會好玩。 <- 我有呀!*委屈中*
2. 對自己的要求降低一點,會讓自己跟身邊的人都更快樂。 <- 儘量囉.(有這樣的性格也不是我想的呀!) 看來我還是蠻典型的獨生女.還是,這篇文章真的那麼準?好吧,還有其他的,也一併貼上吧.

***長子,長女
A)一般特徵:
1. 他們通常是父母眼中完美的孩子:聽話、整潔、懂事、負責。
2. 他們一般尊重權威,不敢犯錯誤,因為怕讓父母或其他權威的人失望。
3. 相對弟妹而言,他們通常服從性高、觀念保守、防禦心強。
4. 他們對自己的地位較易感到焦慮,他們的情緒比弟妹緊張,需要花較長時間排遣不愉快。
5. 他們希望獲得別人的敬仰和尊重,因此總會勉強自己做些不喜歡的事。

B)在工作中 :
1. 他們傾向選擇位居要津,能獨立工作的職業,而不常從事創造性的工作。
2. 他們雖然會服膺權威,卻來自想要得到更高的認可。事實上,他們常發現自己比老闆更知道工作『該』怎麼做。
3. 他們通常拼命工作,而且感到對一切都負有責任,他們不輕易要求幫助,也不太相信別人的能力,即使把工作交給別人,也會不斷擔心別人的表現。
4. 因為在意權威或更高權威的認可,他們通常也是各種排行中最介意排名、地位的。

C)作為朋友:
1. 他們較難交友,通常只有幾位親密的朋友。
2. 儘管他們貌似獨立,事實上還是需要別人認可,不願暴露自己的弱點,因此妨礙發展親密的友誼。

D)作為配偶:
1. 他們在婚姻關係中要求較多,也較有控制慾。
2. 他們傾向相信婚姻的重要性,而希望維持婚姻關係,一但婚姻關係終止,他們會感到強烈失敗與內疚。

E)專家建議:
1. 把對你自己和別人要求的標準放低些,並從生活中得到更多樂趣。
2. 在你有生之年,對自己能夠完成什麼要實際一些。
3. 你可以試著把自己對愛的需要更直接地表達出來,而不是用對別人關心的方式來贏得他們的愛。因為別人未必會理解你也有同樣的需要。
4. 如果你做錯了什麼,並不表示著世界末日,你周圍還有許多人認為像你這樣已經不錯了。

***么兒,么女
A)一般特徵:
1. 他們永遠是家裡的寶貝,即使他們長大了,大多數仍看來年輕、可愛。
2. 他們常比家中其他孩子更任性,也比較樂觀。
3. 他們常指望得到別人主動的幫助,他們也常看來較無助。
4. 他們在生活上比較不講規矩,常常遲到、拖延或失信。
5. 若是他們曾受到壓抑,長大後會對公平問題特別敏感。

B)在工作中:
1. 他們是各種出生順序中事業心最差的,他們傾向找不太費力的工作,最好是那些能配合他們休閒生活的事。
2. 他們是各種排行中,興趣最廣泛的一種,所以他們通常都多才多藝,即使在運動上也是如此。
3. 他們對涉及社交、藝術方面的工作最高興,他們在音樂、語言、藝術方面都很有表現。
4. 他們容易成為好的合作夥伴,因為他們具備與人建立關係的能力。他們習慣依賴別人(配偶或同事)為他們解決問題。
5. 他們若處於負責任的高位,常會感到不知所措或不安全。他們缺乏自律,常難做出決定。

C)作為朋友:
1. 他們通常是最善交際、最受歡迎的人。
2. 若是來自大家庭,他們可能希望擁有自己私人的空間。

D)作為配偶:
1. 他們更有興趣讓自己過得快樂,因而常會成為違反社會期望的父母。

E)專家建議:
1. 要學著在必要時負起更多的責任,靠自己「長大起來」。

***中間子女
A) 一般特徵:
1. 他們可能具有其他出生順序的特徵,但也可能缺乏鮮明的特徵。
2. 他們缺乏最大、最小孩子的特權與寵愛,因此缺乏安全感。
3. 他們擅長和所有類型的人打交道,因此常讓他們成為好的談判者,善於爭取公平的裁決。
4. 他們不善採取主動或獨立思考。
5. 為避免失敗,他們對任何事也不會做得太久。

B)在工作中:
1. 為了使自己感到重要,排行中間的孩子也許會很有競爭心,儘管他們不直接跟家中的人競爭。
2. 通常善於處理人際關係,成為外交家、秘書、律師這些職務要求的不是雄心大志,而是智慧與耐心。
3. 他們也能成為中級主管,因為他們了解人們的需求。

C)作為朋友:
1. 和朋友在一起,他們才感到獨立、平等。所以他們擅長社交,渴望家庭以外的朋友。

D)作為配偶:
1. 他們通常會有美滿的婚姻,因為他們很在意屬於他們自己的家庭

E)專家建議:
1. 別太管你的家人如何看待你,多聽聽外面的人怎樣讚賞你。
2. 你得想想自己真正要什麼,並且準備承擔與人對抗的風險來達成它,不要總是不顧自己的要求和想法。

Sunday, February 25, 2007

翻生侏儸館

[注意:以下可能會含有電影情節.]

其實電影的構思很好,我想很多人都會有類似的想法或幻想.而且展品會活過來本來就是很好玩的一件事,沒必要講一大堆道理的.這一點,我倒覺得電影處理得不錯.加上讓Ben Stiller來講耶穌也未免不太能讓人信服.當然,電影還是表達了很多良好意願:世界大同、互相包容、反戰、對別人要有愛心、不要輕易放棄但也要有自知之明...當然,還有最經典的惡有惡報啦.如果要說道理的話,就留給家長們回家再跟小朋友慢慢討論吧.在電影裡面長篇大論只會大殺風景.所以Sandee跟我都覺得男主角向兇神惡殺的匈奴施以*無比*愛心的那一段有點太過火了.

大概我們兩個都是「大細路」吧,全程看得我們哈哈大笑,不亦樂乎.同場的觀眾反應也不錯,那起碼我笑的時候也不覺得特別大聲了.

很多段我都很喜歡,但最喜歡的是那隻會走會轉頭的玉麒麟(Thanks J!我還以為是平常看門口的獅子而不是麒麟).平常看到的都是石頭做的,還要是一動不動硬繃繃的.在戲裏「牠」居然會動!實在太可愛了.可惜找遍了都找不到一張半張照片,只好憑自己的記憶把牠好好記住了.

Friday, February 23, 2007

煲劇後遺症

天陰風大.21C




終於用咗三晚(每晚只能睇一、兩個鐘,因為會畀阿媽鬧話唔瞓覺)、兩個lunch time同兩朝早(即出門前一個鐘左右)嘅時間(但其實有兩、三集係响三色台樹睇嘅)將《大話妹》(原名為My Girl.哎呀,點解official site無英文??好啦,去哩個啦!)煲完了!好唔捨得呀~套劇有幾好睇?我唔寫啦.因為我肯定唔夠啲die hard fans瘋狂,亦無咁嘅功力同熱情去寫究竟我幾鍾意套劇,所以有興趣嘅話,可以去啲論壇上面睇啦.不過,我想second阿柯蓮娜姐嘅推介:呢套劇嘅音樂真係做得好好!襯住套劇聽又得,分開不停煲又得!而且,人哋幾有心機呀,同一首歌可以做幾個唔同嘅mixing嚟襯翻場戲.有時可以唔同到以為係另一首歌!港劇大概無辦法做到咁嘅水準啩?雖則我當年都買過《妙手人心》嘅原聲大碟...但算罷啦,咁好嘅音樂配落家陣三色台啲所謂嘅小生花旦同爛gag劇本到,盞浪費咗啲正歌囉(更姑勿論隔籬二奶台啦).

查實,我已經好耐無煲劇,因為煲劇會導致嚴重嘅後遺症!!!

煲劇時我嘅症狀有:唔夠瞓、睇睇下自己响到爆笑或喪喊、返工時心神恍惚做做下嘢會响到傻笑、集中唔到精神時時刻刻會掛住套劇恨不得可以馬上睇完、腦裏面不停响到自動重溫精華片段同埋玩跳線CD機(依家响到播緊啦.再嚴重啲會控制唔到係咁哼埋出嚟o添)、周圍揾睇過嘅人討論劇情、不停地向未睇嘅人推薦、如果係响電腦上睇嘅話仲會不停咁cap screen(然後幻想自己個樣貼咗响鍾意嘅嗰個男主角旁邊)...

嗱,俾兩張好s-weet s-weet嘅screen shot你哋望下啦:



好嚴重???

未算.

睇完之後會不停翻睇心愛/攪笑/感人/溫馨/重要/型仔片段.如果原本是問人借嚟睇嘅話,仲會買翻正版VCD或DVD.如果有soundtrack就會不停地煲.一有機會就會上網「巢」forum啲討論睇啲主角嘅最新動向.但最最最最最嚴重的莫過於中咗男主角嘅毒!!!(咁,我係女仔嚟o架嘛,中男主角毒查實好正常啫.不過都係唔好畀同事們知道,否則會畀人笑我有室女病!)

今次個男主角叫李東旭(仲有:1,2,3).雖然唔能夠話完全係我杯茶(佢細過我!>_<~~~),但真係好得囉!!!超鍾意佢把聲,夠厚但又唔會粗聲粗氣.就係佢令我覺得原來文係可以好好聽!攪到我同Sandee依家好認真咁考慮緊係咪去學文!!佢同Yoo Rin sshi講"sarang hae"時,我簡直溶咗...我唔寫咁多啦,怕羞嘛. :P

熱切期待佢下部新戲Strongest Romance!


Thursday, February 22, 2007

電燈膽

上禮拜去唱K,唱了Stephy的新歌《電燈膽》.

不過,並沒有像謝西嘉說的那麼難唱.起碼我那麼我五音不全,唱起來也似模似樣.(啊...可能只有我才這麼認為...!)

原來,那編曲和歌詞是那麼有電影味.

原來,那編曲和歌詞聽完後會讓我如此的發抖.像是部懸疑謀殺片一樣.

到現在每次聽,還是會有毛骨悚然的感覺.

地獄咒

下雨了.19C

那晚你如常打電話來孜孜不倦的說著,我如常懶洋洋地躺在床上聽著.

你說,我答應妳;如果有一天,妳下了地獄,我卻上了天堂.我還是一定會下去找妳的.

我笑著問,你怎麼知道我一定會下地獄?因為我不相信你的主?

你說,我只是說如果.

那晚,我把這個承諾當作一個笑話,當作是你眾多天真想法的其中一個.

然後,在還沒有開始就結束的時候,你跟我要回這個承諾.那時候,我把你當成是小氣鬼.居然連承諾也可以要回.我還把那要求當作是你不成熟的罪證.

多年之後,我才悟出這是一個多麼難能可貴的承諾.起碼,到現在,我還沒有再聽到過.

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Calbee大搜查(七):歐洲特別版 - 芝士火鍋味

終於把之前買的芝士火鍋味(Käsefondue Würzte)的薯片吃掉啦.可能已經放得太久,久得連吃它的衝動也大大減退.剛好我們今天要去看電影,所以就把它帶進去消滅了.也因為是帶了進去戲院,所以便沒有拍到薯片的模樣啦.

長話短說,薯片是薄切的;芝士味適中,比我想像中好得多,不會很鹹或很濃.吃後也不會覺得很膩或噁心.我是芝士白痴所以分不出是用甚麼種類的芝士.比起外國的芝士洋蔥(cheese & onion)口味,這算是溫和的多了.但我還是比較喜歡芝士洋蔥口味,可能是比較惹味吧,就算是濃了一點.

星:3.5粒.雖然比德國腸仔味好吃,但它又不至於有4粒星的水準,所以要屈就一下囉.

Libertango

Where does the wind come from, all of a sudden? 19C

Thanks to Kafka for bringing back the good old memories that I have once indulged myself every day in the long-forgotten daydream that I would go to Buenos Aries someday to really feel the Libertango with my ears, my eyes, my skin and my soul.

And thanks to YouTube for showing me that the same music has been adapted and played in so many different ways. Even though my favourite is still the original irreplaceable performance with the bandoneón, the guitar trio is nonetheless an awesome alternative:


Monday, February 19, 2007

初四啟市

雨粉飄飄.20C

通常我們填媽的學歷是中學畢業,但其實她大概只有初中的程度吧.這個大概都已經不重要了,因為我也已過了那些會被父母學歷影響的時期了.她那要唸書的時候剛好碰上了十年浩劫之前的那些運動,忘了是為甚麼沒繼續唸書,卻到了甚麼甚麼(不好意思,忘了...)團去學唱歌跳舞(不是芭蕾那種舞啦.是跳《白毛女》的那種.)可是媽總會覺得有點自卑,經常都會說「如果我有書讀的話,我一定...」之類的話.不過,其實爸和我都不會覺得怎樣.可能氣起來的時候會想怎麼媽那麼不講道理.可是,讀書讀得多的人又一定講道理嗎?


媽有時候的點子是真的很不錯的,於是不知道甚麼時候開始,我爸頒了一個「博士的頭腦」名銜給我媽.後來,每逢媽說了一些很正點(或者很妙想天開卻又有點道理)的主意時,我們總會(由衷地)稱讚她:「嘩~真不愧有博士的頭腦!」

*~*~*

今天早上媽要打電話給遠在加拿大的姑婆拜年.打完後,我在跟媽說西岸時間要怎樣算.西岸時間很麻煩嘛,現在還有冬令時間,有時候連我也會算錯呢,因此我還是很耐心地向媽解釋那算法.怎知解釋了兩次,媽的反應都是:「哎呀,我聽不懂呀.我不會算啦!」

於是我問她的博士的頭腦跑去哪兒了.她居然說,噢,現在是新春嘛,博士在放假呀.

!!!

我只好答,那博士是初四啟市囉?

Saturday, February 17, 2007

喜出望外

陰天.悶熱.潮濕.20C

過去幾天一直留意超市和便利店有沒有進貨,還問了售貨員呢,卻都是失望而回.我原本還想寫一篇叫「此情不再」,就是想要訴苦說今年吃不到我喜歡的口味.去年根本沒想過今年可能會沒貨,我還以為一開始了就以後都會有,但原來連糖也要珍惜那個有吃得到的機會.太多事情我們都想得太理所當然,居然連一包糖都帶來了這樣的啟示.

今天原本要到百X換鑊的時候,(對,幾經辛苦終於儲夠了八十個印花.不過還是得補$$呢.)鑊換不到,卻看到了媽和我去年吃得超開心的莫卡味和腰果味的樂家杏仁糖.(其實不是原味的還能叫杏仁糖嗎?)

當然是喜出望外.失而復得,怎能不珍惜眼前糖?


Crack!

I refuse to admit that Winter is over.19C

I've finally had the courage to try playing squash again. Ever since I twisted my right knee two years ago, I have stopped playing badminton and squash, because there was simply no way for me not to run and would have the ball/shuttle hit. But then, of course, I am not a pro player, I don't even qualify as a squash player, the amount of "running" I did was really minimal.

For me, playing squash equals: locate the ball, swing the racquet backward and MISS! Yes, I usually hope that the ball can find its way to make contact with my racquet so I don't have to strike the ball at all. And usually I run forward too much and there is not enough space for the racquet to come back. And, usually, actually most importantly, I am too slow for the ball.

But oh well, it is a ball game that I can play on my own (yes, I played this morning by myself! Yeah! :D), and some sort of exercise that I can use my brain as well as my limps (cf. running on a treadmill. My friend, H, once suggested we might be running on the treadmill to general electricity for the gym. Who knows? Maybe it's true?!). I actually sort of like squash because it's a very "cool" sports (my dad used to play it and he REFUSES to teach me.) and of these two reasons. I can't talk when playing sports. First, I'm usually out of breath, and second, why the heck should I use my brain to think of a conversation instead of focusing on how to play the game more strategically, or simply just to play it with the correct postures??

Anyway, I only played for half an hour this morning. I did some warm up but once I started to run to catch the ball, I heard my right knee cracking again. And cracking means that the knee is twisted, or nearly twisted. So within the first five minutes, I heard it cracked twice, and that was really scary. I thought I was going to spend the new year in wheelchair again. But luckily, after some rather still forearm practices, my knee didn't hurt anymore. I actually managed to have 17 continuous hits. That was some achievement, even though most of the 30 minutes was serve-and-miss. Maybe I should start taking squash lessons again.

Thursday, February 15, 2007

擦身而過

雨粉飄零.18C

有時候妳在某場合上認識到朋友的朋友,可能只是愉快地聊了一陣子天,然後就各散東西,沒有再聯絡.甚至連對方的電話也不知道.可是對方就一直留在妳的腦袋裏,徘徊不去.當妳寂寞的時候,那天的快樂時光又會一絲一絲像風似的飄出來.妳會想,啊,如果再遇上他,再聊多那麼一會,那該多好.慢慢地,妳可能會想像出更多美好的「如果」.因為久了沒見,可能他的模樣會逐漸變得模糊,在街上也未必能第一時間就認出來,但妳還是會偶爾想起他[可能比偶爾要更頻繁一些].想起他那天笑起來眼睛也好像在笑...還有那兩顆酒渦,是多麼迷人!妳會想,你們工作的地方這麼近,為甚麼就是沒有在附近遇見過?但其實,就算是遇到了,他會認得妳嗎?妳開始忐忑了;可是妳還是會想他,甚至希望有一天會再遇到他.

就這樣,日子一天一天過去.妳已經知道妳再跟他見面的機會是微乎其微.他也已經不再在妳寂寞的時候出來突襲妳了.可是,就在妳最沒有預備的一天,妳就在街上(對!在他公司附近)見到他.妳旁邊還有一大堆同事在七嘴八舌的說著說著.

可是,第一眼,妳認不出他來.妳一直覺得這個迎面走過來的人很眼熟,妳以為是他,可是妳不肯定.妳只是奇怪這個路人為甚麼也一直的盯著妳,甚至乎好像想要跟妳打招呼.你們就這樣過了那條短短的馬路.直到妳到了馬路的彼岸,妳才想起那就是他呀!

對,就是這樣,妳跟妳一個曾經朝思暮想的人,擦身而過.

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

花開富貴

陰天.22C

禮拜天已經率先跟我媽到維園花市繞一個圈.我們習慣在正式開檔前就去逛,因為有一年領教過要花一個小時才能從花市走出來到怡東酒店坐的士回家.自此之後,聽到要晚上去逛年宵都怕怕了.

家裏通常都只在茶几上放一盤水仙,因為之前幾年的跳舞蘭和蝴蝶蘭都依然茂盛,年年開花.去年,樓上的鄰居/媽媽的朋友又送了幾枝富貴竹.再加上地方淺窄,根本想再買其他的花也都沒地方放了.對我來說,水仙最有新年氣氛和童年回憶.那幾年當華僑/遊子的日子,就是欠了那麼一盤水仙花,農曆年一點都不像農曆年.[別提利是收入減少那回事了...]再說,水仙佔地不多,姿態優雅(當然要是你買了一盤龍飛鳳舞的話,那另當別論),還有那清香...[如果薑花的香氣是我第一最愛,茉莉是第二的話,那水仙就是第三了.] 嘩~

那天花市其實不算冷清,不過很多攤檔還在「建設」中,我們就和其他早起的鳥就在一片凌亂中挑選年花.最後媽挑了三個已長得差不多的水仙頭.花蕾也不少呢.但在花市已經看到很多都開得很燦爛了,我們都在想這三頭到底可以熬多久呢.

昨天晚上放學回家煲帶時才看到那盤水仙已有一大堆花蕾破苞待放,有兩朵是勢必在夜間會開的了.今早起來,芬香撲鼻,都已猜到有花開了.沒想到走進廳時看到開了起碼有七、八朵!不過,早開也好,起碼證明媽挑得好,花兒們不會都變成蔥之後就焦掉了.

花開了,心情好;人,自然也就富貴了.

今早出門前拍的.仔細一看原來開了不只十朵啦!


晚上回來,開得更多了!![用同意個角度拍,比較也容易些嘛.]
[後補:媽最近沉迷《十兄弟》,每天看得津津有味的.今晚看電視的時候她突然冒一句:「咦,家裏這些水仙怎麼好像十兄弟一樣,隔了一晚就長得那麼高了?!」唉,還說我是電視精!]

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

地下鐵碰著她/他

超像春天.23C

平常不會坐地鐵的我今天居然在地鐵站上/車廂中碰見兩個實在很久沒見過的人.

第一個是在地鐵站還沒入閘時遇到的.平常禮拜二的晚餐都是愛心便當,可是今天因為下午開完了會再弄一些事情後就來不及把便當翻熱,於是只好跑到下面地鐵站裏的Pret去買些東西吃.才剛走下了樓梯卻看到一張很熟的臉.我記得她是我的同學,可是到底她是哪裏的同學呢???也不太確定是甚麼原因,我居然有勇氣把她叫停.


我:「XX!」(她聽不到,於是我叫了三聲她才很猶豫地回過頭,停下來

我:「妳係XX?」


同學:「係呀... ...?」(滿臉狐疑的,好像還有一絲惶恐.)

我:「妳係YY嘅?(YY=我在香港時唸中學的校名.)」

同學:「唔係... 」

我:「妳係綿羊國讀書嘅?」

同學:「唔係... 」(大概開始覺得我有點白撞了吧.)

我(已經放棄再猜了):「我...唔...我唔記得啦!!!("meng"憎中)但妳一定係我嘅同學囉!」

同學:「係唔係小學? 」(嘩!她居然會繼續著猜猜猜的遊戲.)

我:「妳係ZZZ嘅?(ZZZ=我小學的校名)」

同學:「係呀!但係...妳係...??? 」(繼續錯愕、迷惘中.)

我:「我係Lu呀!長頭髮,紮孖鞭...加多副眼鏡哩...?」(因為現在帶隱形眼鏡.)

同學:「哦...係呀,我記得啦... 」(當真?!)

同學:「妳最近點呀?」(嘗試尋找話題中.)


我(很趕急地):「我公司就係哩樓上.不過,而家要去返學啦.唔好意思.下次撞到再傾過!!」(然後頭也不回就往Pret奔跑去.)

我想,我那同學肯定會被我氣炸了.又不是要繼續談下去,卻把她叫停!其實,我只是想確定我有沒有認錯人,因為這個同學,應該有十五年多沒見過了.她現在比我高(一點點啦.不過她以前是個小不點,總是排第一或第二的.而我是女生來說第四、五高的),身材很好,化全套的妝(我是素顏上班的),穿窄窄的全身短裙,頗高跟的短靴(如果沒看錯的話),鑽石戒子,大圈的金耳環,鬈鬈的長髮...完全跟小時候的模樣是兩回事.雖然不能稱之為高貴美麗大方,但一定算得上是時髦,在不少人(特別是男性)眼中更可能是「索」.所以囉,八卦的我有怎能放過如此機會去印證一下我的認人能力呢?

至於,另外那一個是因為下課後追不上巴士而跑去坐地鐵而遇到的.我是95%肯定他是我大學同學的前男友.但因為,那好像不是一個好人(已忘了詳情),而且又不是帥哥(其實是因為並不是很熟啦.他不是我們學校的嘛),所以就沒有叫他.只是他也一直眼甘甘地望著我,我才更認為那是我認識的人囉.

就是這樣很奇怪地,居然一天之內在地鐵裏遇到兩個很久沒見過的人.

Monday, February 12, 2007

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...

Sunday, February 11, 2007

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???

Thursday, February 08, 2007

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?

Wednesday, February 07, 2007

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.

Tuesday, February 06, 2007

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.

Monday, February 05, 2007

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.

Sunday, February 04, 2007

喜事重重

燦爛陽光.16C

剛與師傅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!

Friday, February 02, 2007

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. :)]

Thursday, February 01, 2007

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.)