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Slow-cooked five spice pork belly with tofu and cooked egg recipe is super popular in my hometown. It is a must-have dish in every family table. I seldom cook it because John doesn’t like fatty food, but I truly adore … Continue reading
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Chaozhou is famously known as one of the great cultural centres in the Lingnan region of China. Chaozhou culture is known worldwide as a unique part of world heritage. It’s one hour drive from Shantou (my home town). John always … Continue reading
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.
Nice back to London and have my own space and life back. I do feel sad to leave my family and niece, as well as good friends in GZ. I had a fabulous time in GZ and Shantou. Thanks all the friends’ dinners and treats in China.
As a shoes lover, I also bought some of the new shoes back to London. I especially like the new blue boots it costs me hundreds of ‘Chairman Mao’ but I just love it so much and it’s very comfortable to walk. While I organised my clothes and shoes, I took some pictures to remind me how many pair of shoes I have. I don’t think it’s many pairs because I am a greedy girl. John always thinks I spend too much on shoes and shopping. Haha…
London is 9 to 15 degrees, and it’s Autumn towards Winter. We properly will see bonfire next week and go to see Mew’s concert soon. We will go to have dinner with my London friends this weekend to catch up. Look forward to seeing them.
Back to Shantou
The most important thing in Shantou is to see my niece – Sissy. I remember she was born for a week then I left Shantou, and now she is 14 months and learning how to walk and talk. She is incredible smart and adorable.
Mum and Dad are very happy to see me being home, especially Mum, she always cooks so many food, and I don’t even need to get out of the house. I love our new house in central of Shantou with enormous rooms and space for niece to play. Actually I do very little at home, basically just relax, eat food, help Mum do some house work, and then spend time with niece ( I enjoy being a babysitter. )
However, I haven’t seen much of my Shantou friends. Some of them are in Guangzhou or Shenzhen, or most of them are married and expecting a child.
Though sometimes I got bored in Shantou, maybe because I am so used to the busy life in metropolitan cites or maybe I don’t realise I am in holiday.
I can’t believe that it will be ended soon with few days. The irony thing is that I quite look forward back to London, to have my own life back, moreover I do miss John a lot. Anyway, John and I will be back to China together soon in next few months.
I always love my home town no matter where I am.
回到汕头最重要的事情就是看我侄女－希希。记得我走之前她才刚出生1周，现在也有14个月，高高的个子，还在学走路和说话。她真的太聪明和可爱的，每次看到她会放电的大眼睛，任何人都忍不住爱上她，想亲她一口。
爸妈蛮高兴我回来的，特别是老妈子，整天买这墩那的给我吃，让我其实不用出门天天有好东西吃，也让我少吃了很多汕头的小吃。我蛮喜欢爸妈的新房子的，空间很大，给希希整天跑来跑去玩个够。其实在汕头主要还是休息，吃东西和帮老妈子打扫下房子，但最多是做希希的玩伴和保姆，我真开心能陪她这么常时间，以后不晓得她还认得我不？
但这次我却少走亲戚和朋友了，有些在外头，有些也结婚生孩子，大家有了家庭，出来的机会就少很多。虽然有时候会觉得在汕头蛮无聊的，也许我习惯了大都市的生活，或许我忘记了我在度假中，当你忙碌总想有休息的时间，休息的时候想忙碌点什么，这就是人生啊。
觉得无法相信很快就要结束我的假期。实际上我蛮期待回去过自己的生活，重要的是我蛮想念约翰的！但我们过年时候2人一起再回来吧。无论身在何处，我都是爱我家和汕头。
Since 08/08/2008 last year till today 09/09/2009, I have been away from China and my friends for over 1 year. It seems very long, but it also feels like just yesterday. I guess I could not adjust the weather when I am back to Guangzhou. The weather here in London is perfect temperature about 19-25 degrees, however, Guangzhou is about 35 degrees and very humid. Then I properly will spend one week to adjust the jet-leg.
All these things do not matter when I think of meeting friends, eating delicious food and spending time with my niece and family. The joy will be overcome the bad sides. Yuki and other friends plan to drive to Yangjiang and eat seafood there at the weekend I arrive. On one hand, I can’t wait flying on Tuesday. On the other hand, I do feel sad that John could not join me back to China this time, maybe we will be back during the Chinese New year Next year!
One sad thing is that sister told me Mum has rented out our old house. It means that the house where I had spent 20 years is gone – my white cat, my usual place, and everything. Although the house is old and small, it contains all the memories of my childhood, friends who came to visit, and normal life. I know that sooner or later it will need to be re-decorate it, or sell it, but I will miss it so much!
Anyway, see you soon, my friends! Thanks Trini of her bubble tea and Shantou pictures!
兴奋的快回中国！
从8月8号2008年离开中国，到今天9月9号2009年，差不多一年没有回国，想起来好像很久，但实际又好像是昨天，1年中发生了很多事，大家都为生活努力奋斗着！伦敦的天气十分清爽－19－15度之间，回到广州我可能不太适应广州的闷热35度的温度，再说，要1个星期才能调节好我的时差。
但这些都不要紧，一想到见到老朋友和吃很多中餐，海鲜及最重要是见我姐的女儿，从她出生到现在1年了，我很想念希希！Yuki 已经安排好到达的周末去阳江吃海鲜！我太兴奋了。下周二就飞，但我又舍不得约翰一个人在伦敦，可惜他不能请假太久回去，过年我们再一起回去吧。
一个很伤心的消息，老姐告诉我我家的老房子租给别人了，老房子储存了我20年生活的点滴 － 从小学到中专，朋友来来回回去我家作客，老家虽旧，但很多朋友都感觉是他们的另一个窝。我可怜的白猫，很多角落的点滴，回忆就这样很快消失了。其实我知道老家需要重新专修或租出去的，只是时间问题，我会想念它的！
总而言之，我太兴奋的飞回去啦，等我哦，朋友们！封面珍珠奶茶的照片是旖旎同学汕头的照片哦！
My sister told me that her baby was one week late. Since I said goodbye to Guangzhou and came back to Shantou to see my family before I fly to London. I am so surprised that the baby is so eager to say hello to me and the baby was born on 30th July at 3: 35 pm – exactly the day I arrived in Shantou. It’s a baby girl and weighs 5.8kg, with big eyes and looks like exactly like my brother-in-law. I am now officially an aunty.
My family is overwhelming excited; even thought sister was a little bit disappointed it was not a boy, because she was expecting a boy. My brother-in-law and I are happy to have a baby girl anyway! I will be flying this Friday and next time when I see the baby girl, she can speak, and will be more cute. Baby’s English name is called Natalie.
我的侄女出世拉！
姐姐告诉我说宝宝1个星期迟来报到了。已经跟广州告别，想在飞伦敦之前回到汕头见见父母，也希望姐姐的宝宝快出世，在飞之前能见上我侄女一面。惊喜的事，宝宝在我到达汕头的第一天就出世拉！姐姐虽然比较虚弱，但宝宝是顺产，5.8斤。大小都健康，宝宝超级小,两个大大的眼睛，就像我姐夫一样，长得很漂亮和大气，我还帮忙换尿布呢！哈哈，我终于做了小姨了！等我下次回家，她可能就会说话了。宝宝的中文名叫奕希，英文名叫Sissy，因大家都叫希希，所以我给她命名为Sissy!
As some of you know, my time in London was a testing period to see what the city is like. Very shortly I will be moving there to study for a masters degree at the University Of London.
Saying goodbye to Guangzhou, and especially my good friends, is not easy. I have spent a total of seven years in Guangzhou, arriving here as an innocent girl from Shantou. I’ve enjoyed my life, my studies, and my jobs here in Guangzhou and it is not without some sadness that I leave. However, although I am scared I am also excited to have something new and challenging to look forward to. I will need to start from scratch and work very hard, but the rewards should be well worth it.
I really wish I could take all my friends with me to London and I will miss them all. I am so glad they are always there for me and want them to know that they have played an important part of my life. I wish the best of luck to all of my friends and hope to see them in London.
See you soon Guangzhou.
5月在伦敦旅游了一个月，又回到熟悉的广州开始工作了，好像觉得从没有离开过广州似的。已经辞职的我，再工作多半个月，就生活在伦敦了。现在在准备好所有的一切，开始我的学生生涯，我将在其中一所伦敦大学读硕士。
其实很舍不得跟广州说再见，特别是我的朋友们，毕竟我在广州生活了7年了。４年的大学生活到3年工作；从一个什么都不懂的汕头妹，到可以说能自力更生独立生活在广州。我喜欢我的工作和简单的广州生活，但我意识到是时候为将来而准备而冲刺，让自己的英文水平更近一层，拿个更高的学位和国外的工作经验。说真的，我又是担心又是兴奋，因什么东西我对来说都是从头开始。前路茫茫，但一想到新的东西，新的朋友，也是给自己的一种加气的鼓励把。
真希望能把所有的朋友都打包跟我一起飞到伦敦，我会多么想念你们的陪伴和笑声。谢谢大家对我的厚爱和支持，你们在我生命中是如此的重要，祝大家心想事成，记得一定要来伦敦看我哦。
再见了广州，我把我的青春的黄金时间都奉献给你了，咱们后会有期。
What it will be a good beginning to start 2008? John decided to meet my parents, and we have our new plan for 2008, that I will be studying in London for my masters and we moved to London. I am not sure my parents will like the ideas, so the most important thing is to introduce John to my parents. I know it sounds silly that we have been dating for almost 5 years now, and finally we have the chance to introduce both properly.
With a tremendous good news is that my parents have moved to the new house, where is next to the Meritus Shantou Hotel. The house is designed by my brother-in-law Marco with a modern, soficiticated but simple. Although it won’t be the same house we grow up and spent 20 years, I like our new house, big, fashion and the location is fantastic.
Anyway, John was nervous to see my parents. My Dad treated us to the expensive Chinese seafood restaurant at the first night. My Dad knew John doesn’t like seafood, but have already prepared several vegetarian dishes for him. How lovely it is! Then next day Marco drove us to travel around Shantou. Unfortunately because it was new year, many local cuisine shops were closed, but John has tried some traditional bubble tea in OU JI. The third day, John saw our whole family relatives including my grandmum accidently. With the kindness everyone was enthusiastic to show John about different things, drinking gongfu tea with him. However, we didnot stay long and went to hang out with my friends. Last day we spent sometime with my cousin Aileen & Xun to have breakfast and we left Shantou.
The time in Shantou was short, but fun! It was a special New Year for us and we hope to see them very soon again!
2008年怎么样有一个好的开始呢？约翰决定要拜见我爸妈，因为我们08年有新的人生计划，我们将搬到伦敦，然而我却要辞掉安稳的工作，而去英国读硕士，不知道我爸妈是否同意这个主意，虽然我和约翰拍拖快5年了，都没有正式介绍给父母亲看-（因我不想他们罗索）哈哈！
好消息是爸妈搬新了新家——金色花园，在君悦酒店隔壁。新家是由姐夫Marco设计的，简单时尚富有现代气味。虽然不是我们长大的地方，但是我蛮喜欢的，空间大，又新，地点又好。
约翰蛮紧张去看我爸妈的，老爸请我们去吃海鲜，知道约翰吃斋专门点了很多斋菜，真贴心！第二天姐夫车我们去游览汕头，看很多旧时后留下来的古迹，例如：小公园的英国邮电局 （我从来都不知道呢）， 下午我们去亲戚家见了40多个亲戚！这下子约翰可吓呆了，大家蛮给他和功夫茶，吃这个吃那个，大家对他都很热情，我们见太多人就走了，和同学一起去喝欧吉珍珠奶茶！第三天早上，我们和表姐晓华表妹旬一起在麦当劳吃早餐之后就回广州了，结束了短短4天的新年之游。约翰很感激大家的厚爱，让他留下汕头超级好的印象，他甚至说大家都很热情，给他一个不一样的新年。希望很快和大家再相见拉。
（我带眼镜是因为要去做 镭射激光治疗，请见笑哦 ！）
我爱我家-汕头
老是想写点什么关于汕头的，但由于工作，一直没有很多时间去动笔；直到看到涵了点关于汕头的，才让我有灵感写下几段话跟大家分享。汕头-一个让我感到骄傲的城市，一个我土生土长的地方，它的空气，它的土地是抚养育我成长，认识我的所有朋友都知道我总为是汕头人为自豪，而给我一个称号 “特区青年”，。
汕头-(童年小学篇):
一个给我美好童年, 塑造我独立个性, 恩赐我许多疼爱我的朋友们; 我总为我小学时候11 人帮而骄傲, 我老做带头羊跟他们去 “攻城” , 早上5: 30 在我楼下停车场打羽毛球; 放学后到四五个哥们到 我家打麻将; 我们就像电影中的 ( Eleven Ocean ) 11罗汉, 可惜他们个个都是学习上的精英成绩都在top 10 , 从不会被老师骂; 每次去哪里玩, 出事背黑锅的一定是我, 可怜的我! 虽我们11罗汉现在分散世界各地, 个个都为自己的将来而奋斗, 聚少散多, 但彼此的默契是永远不会磨灭的, 直到现在我们都个很好得姐妹兄弟, 我为有他们而骄傲.这是我人生中最开心的求学第一阶段。
初中—（性格蜕变的阶段）
从一个短头发的男孩头（所谓的女人中的男人）第一次初恋的时候就让我转变成一个小女孩，发生了许许多多的事情，我依然历历在目，不过太琐了，初中，一段让我认识自我，性格790度蜕变的时期。
中专篇 － (觉悟的年代)
一个让我锻炼英文的基地, 在许多十分聪明和多才多艺的同学中，给与我三年时间去了解他们，互相学习。在树造我的个性，大家出了很多功劳，永远忘记不了第一年在东夏路操场上的体育课，音乐课，哈哈，大家都是多么天真无邪；和旖旎在出演“小红帽”的英文话剧，到第二，三年时候，中午被逼要在学校吃饭，楼下的“沙县”啊姨长期照顾；，在大型电影院的“Do Re Mi” 歌剧，回想起来时间的流逝， 中专是我第二个最开心的求学阶段。
大学－（一个真正认真学习的基地）
大学四年在广外，遇到很多新鲜事物，新人类，很多好朋友，无论在很多方面大家都支持我，鼓励我，特别是我的宿舍友；4年学校生活是我22年来最认真读书去学知识的时候，一向都不是很喜欢枯燥无味的学习，看书就睡得我，在大学我真的利用很多时间去获得新的知识，带领我唯一喜欢学习的动力是：我的好奇心和我的好胜心。
人生的三分之一在求学阶段，我总对自己说自己是多么幸运，汕头给我快乐人生的三分之一，我也希望我人生的三分之二也是这么的幸运。一个让我永远有归属感的地方，空气都比外面新鲜十倍，汕头人总有种“倍思亲”的传统，虽然在外，心总在汕头，从小到现在总想为汕头贡献的什么，以后有钱也会为我可爱的汕头贡献，这是我的心愿；所以年少的心总想到外面看看世界，体验下外面有多大，不同新鲜的事物，喜欢改变又害怕改变的矛盾心里，喜欢在摸索中学习，满足自己的好奇心，希望不辜负父母给我的这一条生命。 没有来过汕头的朋友们，记得要来这个美丽的小城市！ 很快我会附上从小学到初中到中专我的相片。