This gallery contains 8 photos.
Living and working in London for few years now and sometimes it is still amazed me how great London is, and how charming this city is. Some of the historical buildings were built in hundred years old, or maybe even … Continue reading
This gallery contains 7 photos.
An Autumn weekend A glass of red wine on the table Making a good Autumn stew Playing Jazz from the distance ‘The falling leaves, drift by the windows’ Singing by Nat King Cole… The violin is playing from the song … Continue reading
Back to Guangzhou
I was so looking forward back to China. There are two things I have to do; one is to eat a lot of chinese food, and to see my friends. I arrived on Thursday night after 12 hours plane plus 3 hours couch from HK airport, but I was still very excited to meet Casper and Shine. They have been waiting for me at ‘Uncle’ which is a HK canteen style restaurant to have dinner with me. However, I was not aware of Yuki and other friends had booked a table to welcome me. At the end, I hanged out with all my friends at my first night.
The whole Guangzhou trip was so busy that I didn’t have time to feel jet-leg. First day, I had dimsum with my ex-colleagues, and went to visit their new office. It did feel weird, and felt like I had never left before. Anyway, it’s so good to see them again.
Then friends had arranged a trip to Yangjiang at the weekend. We were so lucky to eat a lot of seafood which just caught from the ocean. After dinner, we went to have firework on the beach, then ate again. Thanks Jenie’s husband for their hospitality, so that we ate, slept and entertained well. It was a unforgettable journey.
The rest days in Guangzhou I ate with friends and went to foot / body massages basically every night. It wasn’t enough to spend one week in Guangzhou, then I have to back to Shantou to see my family.
It’s hard to say goodbye to my Guangzhou friends! I wish I could be here forever.
我十分期待回国，回去我的心只想两件事，第一就是吃很多中国菜，第二就是见我许多朋友们！经过12小时直飞加3小时香港机场到广州，周4晚终于到了，虽然累，但想到食物和朋友们，我还是提起精神来。棋和涵在‘表叔’餐厅等我吃饭，但李宁和其他大群朋友说已经5点多钟就定好台等我吃饭了。我却不知道，哎！但是第一天晚上还是和朋友们一起聊天喝酒续续旧。
当天才睡了2个钟头而已，然后正式的第1天就和前领馆的同事一起吃饭，和他们聊天续旧，大家都还是很疼爱我，多我呵护有加。我实在太感动，我离开后，他们不仅还记得我，还是对我依旧的好。然后还回去了领馆看下大家，虽然我走了，很多东西也变了，但感觉我好像从来没有离开过一样。
接着周末朋友们安排了去阳江吃海鲜，真的要感谢金铃的老公，让我们吃好,住好,也娱乐得好！到了那里，先吃当地的小吃，再去等渔船刚捞上来的海鲜，晚饭就是海鲜宴，真是过分啊！20多只胖螃蟹吃都吃不完！晚饭后又去海边放烟花，再吃甜点，再炒菜吃宵夜！隔天专门开车去吃乡村的烤泥鸡，打完麻将，再吃烤鸡。阳江之行真是难忘啊！除了吃，就是笑了！
接下来的每天都是朋友请我吃饭，按摩，吃点心。这次再和啊娜见了面，她真客气，还请了我们吃顿1千多的饭，谢谢她的有心！我的广州之旅真是奢侈和开心。我真的要谢谢所有广州的朋友们，爱你们在心口难开啊，没有你们，就没有我今天的开心。 实在不舍得和你们说再见，不过我会再回去和你们见面的。等我喔！
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！
Colleagues decided to eat in a really nice Italian restaurant near Oxford street. It properly was not the last dinner with my them, but I am glad that I got alone very well with most of the colleagues after 2 months and a half working in the company. Even though most of my colleagues are younger, crazier than me, they are smart and awesome.
It’s hard always to say goodbye to people, even though you know some of them you might not see them anymore in your life. It is nice to meet new people and share experience with them. This is life, people come and people go.
Thanks my friends and colleagues. Life is dull without their existence.
同事们说一起去吃意大利菜，虽然我知道这不是我们的大家的最后一餐，以后大家还会经常联系。还是感到十分开心在公司工作了2个多月，认识了这么多位不同国际的好朋友 － 他们虽都年轻和疯狂过我，但大家相处下来还是十分愉快的。人和人的缘分是很难说的，有些和你超好，很喜欢你，但有些只是路过而已。
有时候很难和好同事说再见，虽有些可能一辈子都不会和他们再见面，但相会就是有缘分。很多人在你生命中匆匆的走过，只留下短暂的记忆，但还是要感谢朋友们和同事们，生活没有他们的存在是无味枯燥的。
Summer has gone and now it is Autumn! I have noticed that people have changed in autumn clothes, wearing sunglass and having a suntan! I need to apologies to all my friends that I haven’t been updating my blog for sometimes. I have been so busy on Octorber, such as wedding, birthdays and parties, but I had a fantastic time with friends.
Recently, I try to get used to the new job as well as the new colleagues. Another good news is that eventually I am able to get my university degree certificate regardless how hard I worked for it. However, I still need to work hard on my English by reading more novels or practice more. I am glad that I am making progress slowly in my life.
I am trying my best to be a good colleague, good girlfriend, good friend, good daughter (sometimes I’m not good enough at all), good charming Carmen…
感悟
窗外滴答雨响，屋内滴答钟摆
午夜的忧郁，寒冷的北风
岁月留情，转眼逝去
墙外多欢喜，墙内愁悲谁可知
念友人伴念，望故人相思
谁解其中味
留雨
昨盼雨， 为何迟迟不来，
今思雨，只因念故
只有故人会知其意
不知它带来慰籍，还是赐于感觉
躺在港湾，心在漂浮
虽昨日旧事不想，但记忆余温还存
心未忘，念你之情
雨未停，懂我之意
深知没有你，日子依旧过，
却逊色一般
你曾滋润我心，
给我雨后彩虹般的快乐
你悄悄地走进我生命
却静静地停止你的雨滴
好一句“思雨如思佳人”
层层语意，每每动心，
今你心之何处
时否曾想故人
怨你不曾多停留
良辰美景虽短
却因故人思雨情长
望念我好，思我长，
应一句“见雨如见故人”
2003年自己的诗集 – 是我写给我曾经很爱的人，现在打这首诗歌的时候我还记得我在半夜躺在床上写的，虽过3年多，但还是历历在目啊。但望故人在他乡安好。虽爱得很深，伤得很深，一切都随风而去了，留下的只是回忆。人永远向前看，往前走，在你生命中有很多过客，有缘分，也要惜缘，缘分已到，强求也没有用，人生苦短，开心才是最重要的，我老和朋友讲，一加一一定要等于二，所以两个人在一起，要等于2份开心，不然，何苦在一起呢？我相信每个人总有一个真正属于他/她的另一半。
More people are getting married during ages between 22 to 25 in Shantou. Like my Mum usual told a girl that when she is under 25, she can choose what man she wants to marry, because men are prefer young girls generally. However, it is a tradition that women reply on men and being passive. It is like hundreds years ago in the West, and it still exists that women grow up as a passive images to be chosen by men. As silly as my Mum, they don’t see women as intelligent as men, as long as women can find a good husband.
Nowadays, female have equal education and occupation choices and they don’t have to reply on searching men to get married because they are ‘young’. On the opposite, there are many failure marriages because of marrying too young or married the wrong one. When they are young, they have not experience enough and made a rush choice to be with someone. People should know whether they have ability to create a new family. It does exist that people are too young to marry a wrong one. Of course I also see many people had their happy marriages. I do think women are smart and capable to choose what they want, and whether they want to marry or not, regardless the age issues or social pressure either judgement.
Different people have different ideas about the issue. despite age or gender issues, this is about breaking tradition. It’s different valuation to choose. if something you choose for sure, keep walking on to search your happiness without complaining because it is your choice.
The reason inspired me to write this article is the movie Mona Lisa Smile which showed women were try to break through the tradition. The main character was a teacher, and her personality was influenced her female students. Instead of getting married after graduation, the female students can do whatever they want to achieve in their life, not just focus on marriage. Ideally we hope women can be a good wife and be successful in their career as well.
打破传统
在汕头，很多人22－25岁就结婚生孩子。就象我妈妈常我们说，一个女孩子在25岁之前就可以选男人，25岁之后就是男人选你了。因为男人永远喜欢年轻的女孩子，年轻就是你的皇牌！这让我觉得为什么女人永远处于被动，男人总是主载女人的权利，就象几百年前西方国家的生活一样，传统的男人为住，女人为附，而我们在重复着他们的步伐。
现代社会，女人和男人拥有一样的教育权利，有机会一起在工作上竞争。女人有更多选择的空间，毕业之后，不止是为了结婚生孩子，因为为了乘年轻嫁个好老公。相反之中，很多人嫁错郎因为年少无知，父母要他们乘年轻结婚，结婚之后才知道两人不合，太冲动而结婚，没有能力组织一个新家庭。当然，组织新家庭并不容易，我也见证很多成功的婚姻。我相信女人和男人一样聪明，有能力去主宰她们的生活。女人是否几时结婚，不需要以年龄，或社会的压力来决定，是她们自己决定她们想和她所爱的人成立一个家。
不同的人有不同的意见吧，女人们能打破传统，突破年龄问题或是性别歧视或社会的压力是很不容易的。生活价值的不同观决定人不同的命运，假如你选择了一条你自己决定的路，不要后悔，勇往直前走下去，不要抱怨，因这是你选择的道路。
我有这个‘打破传统‘的想法其实是自己的性格就比较独立反叛，看到电影（蒙娜丽莎的微笑）讲着一个女老师能打破传统，因当时的社会毕业后就结婚，她选择了她想要做的事情，而不是传统的结婚生孩子，而这启发了她很多快毕业的学生。电影简单感人。理想中我们希望能做个成功的妻子/妈妈兼优秀的事业女性。
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。
When I saw the TV or magazines sometimes, I always feel curious that what are the real age of all the celebrities? We know age for women is a secret and can not be asked or mentioned. Age is like a scar because no one wants to get old or leave a trace in your face. However, age is also a proof of being an adult and writing down experiences. People always can tell from thoughts to know the age without being asked. Maybe we are too scared to have birthdays in our generation because it means more responsible for life, even time is passing without our notice.
Some people link the age with death and it is a taboo to think of death, but actually there is nothing to afraid of when you face it with a good attitude, but life is too short to let us experience more, and I don’t want to live forever!
We never feel old in our heart and be more optimistic, be more generous, be more open-minded, be happier, treat ourselves better and enjoy the life with passion then we never feel old. Look at some celebrities like Michael Vartan who is already 41 from TV series ALIAS; see Sarah Jessica Parker who is already 40 or Madona who is over 45, but they still look fabulous. You might think they are celebrities and wear a lot of make-up, the point is that it’s an attitude to life. I wish I would look fabulous when I were 40 with a lot of smiles still, just like my Mum.
Let us be a wise man.
每当我看电视或看杂志的时候，总好奇的想知道明星们到底真实年龄有几岁？我们知道年龄对女人来说是个秘密，年龄就像我们的疤痕，偷偷的写下我们的记忆和经历,留下痕迹给人追踪。然而年龄却是一个我们成长的证明，象本历史日记。人们和你交谈时候，就能猜出你有多大。也许现代人太害怕过生日的原因，不是害怕被人知道他们的年龄，而是意味着他们有更多的责任将要承担。
很多人想到年龄就联系到死亡，就象是一个不可以说或提到的禁忌。其实死亡并不可怕，如何的态度去面对它才是关键。因为生命的短暂，你才珍惜你拥有的，我可不要长命百岁，我生活的态度就不同了。
我们要保持年轻的心态，用积极，慷慨，开放的心态活着，对自己好点，让自己开心点，用激情享受生活，我们就不会老得快啦。像迈克（看上面的照片）他已经41岁了，但仍然那么迷人；沙拉，帕克（欲望都市的女主角）40岁了；麦当娜超过45岁了，仍然活力十足。虽然他们是明星，我们不能比较，但是积极的生活态度。我也希望我40岁时候能依然迷人风光，象我妈妈一样！
让我们做个智者吧！