Tag Archives: culture

King Prawn & Crab Stick Noodle Soup

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Back home, when it’s Chinese New Year, our family tradition always have seafood hot-pot because Shantou is near coastal city. Seafood for us is everyday basic food. Basically you just have a chicken stock as the soup base or just water, and put any seafood and meat into soup, then at the end, you put more vegetable and noodle in, and simple as that.

Mum used to cook that when she was a little bit lazy and didn’t want to fuss to cook a proper meal. I always like that and it takes about 2 minutes to have a noodle soup on the tablet with fresh seafood and ingredient.

Ingredient: 1 fresh chicken stock /cube, seafood or left over food, 1-2 lettuce, some coriander and noodle or dumplings. Season is salt and white pepper.

Boil the chicken stock, (add some water depends how do you like) put the seafood in for 2 minutes, then noodle in for 1 minutes, add lettuce at last with coriander, season it with salt and white pepper. Job done, really to warm you up with fresh seafood and noodle soup. The soup will be tasty, fresh and noodle will fill you up as well Simple dish for cold winter!

After a big meal, traditionally we always drink some GongFu tea to digest our food and fattiness. Health and you can talk to friends all night long while you are sharing the tea culture.

Manchester Shopping + Dimsum

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After John went to Manchester for his conference meeting, he said I would love to go shopping and experience Manchester. We decided to drive to Manchester at this weekend and see whether I like it or not.

It was very easy road to drive from Leeds to Manchester. After 40 minutes, we parked in central of Manchester and started to explore the area. It got Selfridges and a lot of big departments, high street, and a lot more choices than Leeds. I always think Leeds city centre is too small. I did enjoy to go shopping in London, but could be quite tired, because it is huge. I could easily spend one day only walking in Oxford Street. However, Manchester is the perfect size for going shopping. You don’t need to take tubes to go to different area, but it got so many designers shops and brands everywhere.

Manchester is famous for a huge number of Chinese population, and it means there is a lot of Chinese restaurants in town, so we went to Tai Wu restaurant, which we had been to the same one in Guangzhou and it is a big Chain dimsum restaurant in China. It was great dimsum – very cheap. Price was from £1.7-£3 per dish. However, like in China, Tai Wu didn’t have much of vegetarian choices because John likes vegetarian dimsum. I think we ordered 8-10 dishes and came out only £16 for the bill.

Interestingly there was Jazz Festival promoting in Manchester city centre, and pity that we didn’t stay long to attend the event. I can feel more music cultural happening in Manchester than Leeds.

Manchester always has the reputation that it is a rough and scary city and I felt it when I was there, not because I followed the stereotype, but it was true.  Even though living in London for 2 years, I didn’t feel London is particular a rough or dangerous city. It has some rough area for sure, but I never felt uncomfortable living there. I think I might feel quite dangerous living in Manchester, but it was my personal opinion and it is properly not fully true if you are living there rather than as a visitor.

I do like Manchester, and bigger than Leeds and  love about the shopping and many choices of food. I will definitely go shopping there again and return often. It makes me miss London a lot.

Summer Cocktail

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It is getting hotter in July, and it feels like the proper Summer now. It is sunny all the time, and the temperature is around 18-25 degrees – perfect summer temperature for me, not that sweaty, but nice with cool breeze. We decided to do a home-made cocktail at the weekend, so we tried the Pimm’s with a lot ice, lemonade, strawberries, few orange and little mint. It tasted gorgeous and nice pretty red colour for summer drink.

It is the perfect fruity drink in Summer time. I was sitting my lounge chair in our balcony and sun bathing at the weekend, drinking the Pimm’s and listening to some chill out music.

What a wonderful weekend. We will try Gin and Tonic next week. Happy life.

Our New Car to explore the Yorkshire

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After a long discussion, we finally decided to pick Italian car  – Alfa Romeo 147 model with 5 doors and 1.9 engines. It is a great car and we really enjoy driving and travelling around Leeds and Yorkshire. The weather is quite unpredictable at the moment. It comes rains and comes shine all the time. Hopefully hot summer will be arrived soon even though we are in June.

Having a car is having the freedom to discover all the places we wanted to visit. I am currently on my 11 driving lessons, and it needs 40 lessons to pass. It might take sometimes because I only can get 2 lessons per week because the coach is so busy. I am doing quite well on learning how to drive, and I really enjoy driving, although it might be a lot of practising ahead for me to do.

I really can wait to drive our own car and practice by myself.

Our New House in Leeds

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We have moved in to Leeds for two and half months now, and always add some new furnitures or decoration in the house. It feels like a proper cozy and warm home now. Compared with London, we got a lot of spaces of the house in Leeds, and it is a nice modern stylish flat with open kitchen, 2 rooms and 2 bathrooms (one for John’s office and also be a guest room and one for us with a massive wardrobe to put my shoes and clothes, which is the highlight of the flat).

We do really enjoy the location of city centre and so easy to go shopping and eat out just by walking 5 minutes. I will imagine that the house will be full of good memories for us, and we do enjoy living in Leeds so far. However, I do miss London from time to time, missing its busy,  metropolitan and my friends, and the most importantly so many choices of shopping which that Leeds can not compared with.

Apple Ipad just released!

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Apple Ipad just released yesterday in San Francisco. It is a very simple design – everything just a big touch screen. People said including me, that it looks like the big iphone. However, it is much powerful and advance than the iphone 3G. A everything-touch screen you can use to read books electronically, brown Internet easily, and type and email people like using the laptop, and you can play games, watch DVD in high definition, or organise and view your photo easily etc.

I can see that Ipad’s released will change the industries. But this is technology – whether it is updated or outdated. Moreover, it has unbeatable price: $499 for Wifi, or you can choose 3G ipad with contracts with phone companies. A single Amazon / Sony electronic book reader is cost the same price. Or it is considerable to have an Apple Ipad which had all the computer functions, including the book reader too?

There is no need for me to review the technical terms. A very good blog about Ipad fromStephen Fry is worth reading it. Stephen likes technology and like using Apple.

Some people are still talking about comparing the google-phone to the iphone. I think google needs a long way to reach Apple’s technology and designs. John before had skeptical about using PC or changing to an Apple. However, when we first bought an Apple Mini in 2005, and constantly using it, then we felt in love Apple’s products. It does simplify your daily life as we can not live without computer nowadays.

John has one 24 inch IMAC for his programming, Macbook Pro laptop for travelling and iphone for daily life. I have one Mac Book and Nano Ipod, and the Apple Mini is waiting to be sell. This is not showing off that how much Apple equipments we had, is more to say that once you love using Apple’s stuff, and you will continuously using it. And I do admit that we are a little bit crazy about Apple’s stuff. How could you not too?

This is not saying that we will also have Ipad soon as well for the sake of having it. It all depends do we necessarily need it or not? But for other people, it might be a good change.

(cover pictures from official apple website)

昨天最新的苹果Ipad在三藩市隆重推出一个全自动触摸的大屏幕。很多人包括我也在想，就像大型iphone一样，不过比iphone更先进，更多功能。Ipad 可以当成电子书籍阅读器，自动触屏去阅读杂志和新闻，同时也是自动触屏使用键盘，这完全改变我们需要实际键盘的需要，触摸即刻！也可以当DVD看高清录像，再可以组织和编辑你的旅游照片。既轻薄又多功能。

我可以想像到 Ipad即将改变很多科技工业的发展，但这就是科技，与时进步，这也推动企业更以先进的科技发展。再说，Ipad 更有无懈可击的价格 －wifi才是499美元，或是买3G的Ipad，然后和电信公司签约。索尼或amazon的电子书籍阅读器就要一样的价格了。为何不选择苹果的 Ipad呢？苹果的市场策略就是，价格实惠，但永远不会因时间而改变价格。

这里就不用我介绍所有的功能。被封为英国的多才多能的Stephen Fry 用了4遍文章介绍了苹果的Ipad，你可以阅读下。Stephen喜欢科技的东西，也喜欢用苹果的东西。有些人还在讨论google发明的手机好还是iphone好？我想google的科技发明还要走一段路才能比的上苹果技术和设计。我们之前也对苹果机有一定的怀疑，不晓得真的那么好用。自从05年买了第一台苹果机，之后我们就开始爱上苹果的东西。

约翰因为工作需要，他有1台24寸imac，一个macbook pro手提和iphone；而我只是简单的mac book手提和nano ipod播放音乐，我们还有要卖掉的苹果mini。这里不是说明我们有很多苹果的东西，而是说明了，一但你用了apple的东西，你就爱不舍手，让你的生活简单化。当然，这不代表我们也要买个Ipad，要看我们真正的需要它不，不过价格真的十分便宜。但给其它需要新电脑的朋友，何尝不考虑下呢？ （照片封面来自苹果官方网站）

Russian Party

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russian-party

Olesya from Russia invited us to join her house party on Saturday night. Actually I am not really familiar with Russian culture, either with the food. Even though Russia is close by the Northern China, it feels so far away from the Southern China where I grew up. But I am glad that I have met Olesya and she showed me a lot of real Russian food and culture. With all the hard work preparation for the party, she had woken up 6 am and home-made all food with her closest friend Anastasia. The food looked professional as well as tasting delicious.

After few bottles of wine and vodka, everyone started dancing, talking, laughing and enjoying themselves. When we tried to leave, Olesya and Anastasia didn’t want us to leave, then gave us a lot of hugging and kisses – not sure it was the alcohol effect or the Russian culture that they look tough and cold outside, but after being friends with them, they are very warm and passionate inside.

I guess one thing I learn about Russian culture from Olesya is that everything needs to be perfect and she is a very discipline girl. (I am sure there are some exceptional people like her) It was a fantastic party and we enjoyed a lot, also experienced another type of culture in the UK. Here some of the pictures.

俄罗斯派对

俄罗斯来的澳丽莎周六邀请我们参加她在她家开的的派对，说实在话，我不是很熟悉俄罗斯文化和食物，虽说俄罗斯和北部的中国是近邻，历史或政治上也很多‘关系’，但俄罗斯对在南方长大的我，实在太遥远太陌生了。 但我十分高兴认识澳丽莎，她让我认识了很多俄罗斯文化和食物。她说她早上6点和她老友安娜就起来准备食物。派对食物看起来十分专业及好吃。

过了一会，几瓶红酒和伏特加之后，大家纷纷跳舞，开始变得疯狂 － 不知道是酒精的效应还是这就是俄罗斯的文化，虽然他们有时候看起来十分强壮和严肃，但和他们认识之后，才发掘其实他们内心很温暖及热情。我在澳丽莎身上学到俄罗斯文化的一点就是他们的严禁纪律性和一切都要整齐完美，不能有瑕疵。当然也可能有很多不同的例子。我们12点先走人，她们不让我们走，老亲亲抱抱我们说不要走，他们继续派对到4点。我十分享受这个特别的‘俄罗斯派对’，对我来说，又体验了一个不同国籍的文化是一件极开心和特别的体验。这里有些照片和大家分享。

A Day Trip to Kent

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kents_day_trip

Regardless how stressful of school works, I am glad that Melanie came to visit us in London on Friday, so we decided to drive to visit Maidstone in Kent City, which known as the Garden of England. There are some areas dating back to beyond the Stone Age.

Maidstone is 32 miles away in south-east of London. It is a pretty historical town with many 14th century churches and museums. We walked around the town centre and drove to see the Leeds Castle.

Leeds Castle

First, we went to Lehman village for some lunches, and then drove another 3-5 miles, we arrived Leeds castle. £15 for entrance fee. It is famous for next to a lake, and it is huge, peaceful, as well as astonishing beauty of the castle and the garden. It might take you at least 2-3 hours wondering around.

The castle was a royal palace for many generations of Kings and Queens. Unusually, there are several black swans and peacocks walking around, and apparently they like tourists’ attention. We might return there on summer holiday. Here are some pictures.

肯德镇和利兹古堡

快期末了，不说学习压力如何大，约翰的妹妹（梅乐琳）周五来伦敦公干，顺便看我们。我们带她去吃点心，然后周六就开车去东南部肯德镇（自己的翻译），它离伦敦32公里，开车1个小时左右，天气很好，觉得好像小时候的春游。到了市中心，很多14世纪遗留下来的教堂，博物馆和很多古色古香的木房子。它是一个小镇，但满热闹和漂亮的，大家都很和蔼。当我在照相时候，一个青年帅哥说：要照我吗？然后就摆个姿势。超级搞笑！

先去另一个小镇吃三文治先，然后开车到利兹古堡，入门15磅。据说古堡名字起的好怪，古堡不在利兹城市，但却叫利兹古堡。古堡因它的美丽而出名，坐落在湖边，在一个超级大的花园，有一个足球场大，至少可以逛2-3个小时才走完。建于1119年，之后是很多代皇室家族的宫殿或花园。真是奢华！湖边有黑色天鹅，花园有几只孔雀。它们都自由自在的生活着，享受着人们的关注，过着明星般的生活。你可以想象得到多么诗情画意的画面。由于时间关系，我们只游走了一半，可能我们夏天再去拉。这里有最新的照片。

Learning Japanese

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日本文化的神秘、古怪，
日本人的单眼、娇小，
日本的名胜古迹及自然风光，
日本为背景的电影日益盛行，
国外对日本的好奇和向往，
的确日本是一个值得观光的国家，
而日语…

一直对日语比较抗拒，虽日语像潮汕话
鞠躬，大男人主义，刺生还是不适合我，
喜欢无束缚，平等，大大咧咧的我，
对日本文化和语言甚不感兴趣，
因学一个国家的语言就等于学习它的文化遗产，之后会潜移默化。

对自己说，人生苦短，
为何强逼学自己不喜欢的东西；
到最后才知道，吃亏的还是自己；
其实换个角度想想，也是一门学问；

可能自己设置太多的条条框框；
有时候机会就这样的失去的；
虽多一门学艺，但语言不练就忘，郁闷！
学，要精，学问，要广，知识要渊博

Black and White

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a-white-lady

You might think “black and white” party? No, there is an interesting topic about different about complexion in China and the West.

My western friends keep asking me “ why the Chinese always like taking the umbrella wherever sunshine is coming out?” people like be tanned or have a brown skin in the west. On the opposite, people in mainland China prefer their skin to look very white even like pale. There are several reasons for that. The big reason for white skin because Chinese men like women to look white. If women look white, it means they are week and innocent and men can protect them. The others reason is that white skin means they are rich, dark skin means they are working outdoors all the time, not an properly ladies.

However, in the west, people like to be tanned a lot and it represents healthy and fashion. It means people have more time for outdoors or on holidays and it is a rich symbol.

The same thought has appeared in most cultures. Hundreds of years ago it was a sign of beauty in Europe for a woman to be white, and this was for the exact same reasons: being white implied you were not working class, being dark implied you were a worker. At that time women used to apply all sorts of dangerous chemicals to their face to make it whiter. Queen Elizabeth I is famous for wearing lead powder, a chemical that we now know as being toxic to humans.

I’m sure the same will happen in China and over time having a tan will be a sign of wealth.

黑白主题

是否想到黑白派队呢？不是哦，是一个关于西方和中国喜欢不同肤色的主题。很多西方朋友问我，为什么中国人每当太阳出来就撑起雨伞呢？欧洲西方国家人们喜欢棕色的皮肤，而相反来说，中国人喜欢白皙的皮肤，主要的原因是中国男人喜欢白皙皮肤的女人，代表天真纯洁软弱，他们可以保护；二来白皙皮肤代表富贵的象征，假如棕色的皮肤，代表你是农民阶层，不是上流社会，白领的女人。

相反来说，西方国家喜欢棕色的皮肤，代表健康和时尚，同时也代表人们富裕的象征，有多余的钱去度假，晒太阳，享受生活，是有钱的象征！其实同样的事情发生在大多数的文化背景中。几百年前的欧洲，上流社会名媛白皙皮肤就是时尚与身份的象征。这也是同样的理由你不是工人阶级。伊丽莎白一代皇后就喜欢超级白皙的皮肤，涂上很多有毒的白皙化妆品，而这些漂白的化妆品而却是致癌的。

时代的变化，我相信不久的将来中国人也喜欢棕色的皮肤，同时也是代表富裕和健康。