twilight mug

orchid

2009-07-12T13:33:00.007+08:00

putting on a dutch hat?

unable to view blog

2009-03-26T15:03:00.007+08:00

This is most strange. I can enter to write this but unable to view my blog!

Interestingly now that I can enter my blog, I cannot enter blog posts dated in the months of February 2008 and March 2008. A Google Error message appear...

Can anyone tell me what is happening? Thank you.

waltzing into 2009

2009-01-04T10:32:00.008+08:00

Hoping for peace, not war or terrorism;

prosperity, not greed;

caring, not destroying...

personally, no resolution

but looking forward to challenges!

a slipper orchid

2008-12-03T19:45:00.003+08:00

Perhaps I could slip my foot into one

and tie a bow around my ankle.

taking the long view

2008-11-10T10:39:00.004+08:00

Dare we take the long view to life and investments?
(taken with digital canon A700)

have a good weekend

2008-11-07T13:28:00.006+08:00

small is beautiful

...

Photography has the ability to bring out

the extraordinary from the ordinary

like these tiny flowers.

...

Littering along the wayside, no one notices its beauty

yet when captured...

...

Such are memories

in moments of sorrows and pain

they help us linger on

providing fresh insights and angles to sufferings

emitting rays of hope...

silver lining

2008-11-04T20:40:00.004+08:00

a new tomorrow amidst looming grey clouds

out of focus

2008-10-24T09:40:00.005+08:00

Hoping for better days

out of financial crisis!

changes with time

2008-10-19T10:20:00.006+08:00

In the name of progress and prosperity,

this is one old and narrow road that has become an arcade in a shopping mall.

...

The latest news of global financial crisis has been unnerving...wondering where mankind is heading.

...

I wonder what percentage of population lost their homes as a result of the subprime? How many homeless will survive the forthcoming winter months in the US.

...

Resulting from greed of a few, many suffer! Life certainly is not fair. Sadly many lost their hard-earned savings in collapsed of financial institutions.

...

This credit crisis and subprime has become a worldwide phenomenon. A result of global city?

News on Iceland going bankrupt is most disturbing!

...

Will this crisis cause many to wake up from senseless personal spending on credit?

...

Whoever becomes the next president of the US will have many, many challenges!

...

Will one see the new poor coming from the developed countries tomorrow?

beautiful aliens

2008-09-09T17:57:00.006+08:00

a phalaenopsis hybrid orchid

"People from a planet without flowers would think

we must be mad with joy the whole time

to have such things about us."

silently watching

2008-09-01T09:10:00.002+08:00

a child's drawing

2008-08-29T05:13:00.010+08:00

(courtesy of bbc.co.uk)

.....

The child's drawing reveals that experienced --

a glimpse to their world...

children feel and fear,

see and hear...

but certain governing leader turned deaf ear!

.....

Though rich in resources,

Myanmar (Burma) is poor

as her leader is not willing to open up

or to accept aid waiting outside the country

to bless and improve the life of people just a little

after cyclone nargis lashed!

.....

Sad and grievous for the people

and a pitiful self-centered governing leader!

one world one dream

2008-08-25T10:12:00.016+08:00

The theme -- one world one dream -- of 29th Olympiad at Beijing came to a close on 25th August 2008 (16 days -- began 8th August): spectacular...dazzling...stunning...lavish at opening and closing ceremonies.

This Olympic Games saw many many records broken. The athletes are getting younger and more powerful. Michael Phelps (6ft 3in) and Usain Bolt (6ft 5in) are tall and both came from the same side of the world. By contrast, Michael from a continent and Usain, an island; one caucasian the other african-descent... How interesting!

I cannot believe that I hear: 1 million volunteers!

Wonderful...the world gets to know China and China the world! This is one time when the Chinese who would never get the chance to meet people outside of China were able to experience the joy of meeting overseas guests. There were mingling for the international community -- in the Olympic Village. This was a well-contained community!

This Games gave me much thoughts and reflection about the world, media and China!

China (100 total) won 51 golds and overall, US topped with 110. I reckon the country that topped the list is Jamaica -- 6 golds -- consider the size of the land area and the population!

What will the next Olympics in London be like? I hope there will be no comparison -- from Asia to the West -- just different!

flawed

2008-07-28T21:57:00.007+08:00

Flawed yet complete.

...

Flower dies making way to new growth...new life...new...

...

Photography has a way of eternalising that fades away.

rock mummy sculpture

2008-07-19T10:20:00.005+08:00

The rock formation looks like a woman lying down, not sun bathing though. This is why I label this as a rock mummy sculpture, etched by winds and sea waves and rains.

.....

I enjoy traveling to unknown places. Whenever I visit a country, I would travel on my own schedule, not with a tour group, even when it's not familiar ground. Basically I want to explore the place that I'm traveling to and not brag about the places I visited by being there!

The picture above is one of many finds on the rocky terrains at QiZi Bay. I was just sitting on this beach, pottering around taking in the sights and sounds when...

Photography is one way I discover I see more of a place I visit.

nature's sculpture

2008-07-17T10:04:00.009+08:00

Illusion? Eyes playing tricks?

From this angle, this piece of rock looks like a human head -- hair, eyes, nose, mouth and high-cheek bone face?

Viewing from the opposite angle, it's just a piece of rock.

The nose is a piece of chipped rock of another kind.

Nature's artwork!

flame tree

2008-07-13T01:04:00.006+08:00

Just wonderful to see this from afar in summer...

The tree is full of blossoms and no leaves -- bell-shaped flowers.

a wonderful message by george carlin

2008-07-01T01:58:00.013+08:00

Having read Naomi's blog 'here in the hills' I couldn't resist posting one memorable piece by Mr George Carlin, a stand-up comedian, actor and author who is especially noted for his political and black humor, and his observations on language, psychology, and religion along with many taboo subjects. I shall miss him...the world has lost one most gifted and creative person!

A Wonderful Message by George Carlin

The paradox of our time in history is that

we have taller buildings but shorter tempers,

wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints.

We spend more, but have less,

we buy more, but enjoy less.

We have bigger houses and smaller families,

more conveniences, but less time.

We have more degrees but less sense,

more knowledge, but less judgment,

more experts, yet more problems,

more medicine, but less wellness.

....

We drink too much,

smoke too much,

spend too recklessly,

laugh too little,

drive too fast,

get too angry,

stay up too late,

get up too tired,

read too little,

watch TV too much,

and pray too seldom.

....

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values.

We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life.

We've added years to life not life to years.

....

We've been all the way to the moon and back,

but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor.

We conquered outer space but not inner space.

We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul.

We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice.

We write more, but learn less.

We plan more, but accomplish less.

We've learned to rush, but not to wait.

We build more computers to hold more information,

to produce more copies than ever,

but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion,

big men and small character,

steep profits and shallow relationships.

.....

These are the days of two incomes but more divorce,

fancier houses, but broken homes.

These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill.

It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom,

a time when technology can bring this letter to you,

and a time when you can choose either to share this insight,

or to just hit delete.

Remember, spend some time with your loved ones,

because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe,

because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you,

because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones,

but most of all mean it.

A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment

for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love,

give time to speak,

and give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

....

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take,

but by the moments that take our breath away.

imperfection

2008-06-28T15:54:00.004+08:00

Beauty in the eye of the beholder.

triangular petals

2008-06-21T09:50:00.005+08:00

I do not know the name of this flower.

.......

"Flowers and plants are silent presences;

they nourish every sense except the ear."

May Sarton (Belgian-born American writer)

heart of gold

2008-06-05T04:47:00.006+08:00

When we honestly ask ourselves

which person in our lives means the most to us,

we often find that it is those who,

instead of giving much advice, solutions, or cures,

have chosen rather

to share our pain and touch our wounds

with a gentle and tender hand.

-----

The friend

who can be silent with us

in a moment of despair or confusion,

who can stay with us

in an hour of grief and bereavement,

who can tolerate

not knowing,

not curing,

not healing

and face with us

the reality of our powerlessness,

that is a friend who cares.

Henri Nouwen

pineapple

2008-06-02T20:24:00.004+08:00

the fruit on its plant

Its flower eventually becomes the eye of the fruit which needs to be removed before eating.

The flesh of the fruit is juicy and yellow in color. If the fruit is not sufficiently ripe, it's very sour; when ripe is sweet. Its high acidity can cause the tongue to bleed.

There is the ornamental variety which the Chinese in Southeast Asia use for praying and to bring luck and fortune.

zig-zag stems

2008-05-24T16:26:00.009+08:00

Nature is always so full of surprises --

water cana lily has these zig-zag stems

swaying in the wind.

american idol 2008

2008-05-23T22:24:00.005+08:00

Wow! A rocker finally won the American Idol title -- and David Cook is the most popular guy in Kansas(?). He won for selecting a wider repertoire of songs and a good singing voice but the more musical voice belongs to David Archuleta, the favorite 17-year old teenager from Utah.

I didn't follow the whole season -- only viewed the last two programs. I was most impressed at the display of talents and the repertoire of songs delivered. George Michael and Bryan Adams took the stage...did the organisers picked these two as David Cook won the landslide 12 million more votes -- Cook got 56% while Archuleta 44%!?

I don't envy the job of the judges though...tiresome to go through tens and thousands of wannabes. Some of the voices were hopelessly terrible...I don't know how Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell sat through the sessions.

2008-05-17T14:52:00.005+08:00

Have you had days when life is just blah? When you don't see anything clearly any more?

Too many happenings yet unable to take hold of the situations?

Is this what aging means? (Sigh.)

olympic torch

2008-05-10T21:13:00.014+08:00

image chinadaily

.....

The Torch in the photo was constructed with spring season flowers. Wonder how many flowers needed and how much time required to construct this? Wow! What joy to see this!

.....

The Chinese must be really proud and excited that China is hosting this auspicious Olympic Games in Beijing on August 8th (080808).

.....

The Torch reached the peak of Mt Everest, the highest mountain in the world, on May 8th. May the flame of hope, harmony and peace reign in the lands around the mountain range.

looks like a watercolor painting

2008-05-04T21:15:00.006+08:00

I love orchids.

The Singapore Botanic Garden has a special collection

and there are those special VIP orchids

named after world leaders when they visit this island.

.....

What fascinates me is the colors...

they're almost like watercolor paintings

though the flower is thick and waxy!

seeing is believing

2008-04-29T19:57:00.006+08:00

calla lily -- an unsual bloom

nature's ornament

2008-04-17T17:30:00.004+08:00

An orange with spikes? Indeed.

At a distance, I thought these were light bulbs

but on closer look

I was told

it's a poison fruit.

The family plant this for decoration.

They do not know where it comes from

and it's one of its kind.

It's a climber.

Name...no one knows.

Rare indeed!

nature's art

2008-03-26T17:18:00.004+08:00

A rock is a rock is a rock is a rock is a rock...

The locals call this sail boat rock

but to me

it looks like a submarine!

olympic games

2008-03-20T04:59:00.009+08:00

image from ChinaDaily

It is upsetting to read the unhappiness caused on the forthcoming Olympic Games to be held in Beijing, China.

Why is the Games being politicized? Why turn this Olympics into pressure cooker for the country that is hosting this event? Why rally boycott to the Games or Lighting the Olympic Torch?

Why are the Tibetans from within the country and those living abroad decided to take the event to stage their protests? Why are the human rights groups advocating and causing such violence and hatred? What is freedom? What is peace? Remember the ones who stand to lose are the nationals living there...not the human rights advocates!

Surely those Tibetans living abroad are more constructive in building their own country which is already in dire state rather than focusing on anger and chaos! Why self-destruct? Did the exiled leader Dalai Lama not advocate non-violence to peace?

Why has Steven Spielberg pulled the stunt to exit being artistic director? What has politics got to do with the Olympic Games?

Then there is the issue where athletes and sportspersons take performance enhanced drug to show their prowess? Where are the talents and skills that man espoused?

Eric Liddell, who ran 4 events in a day and won, explicitly said that the power comes from within -- not with help from without! Certainly not with the help of some performance enhanced drug just to win a medal!

1st korean astronaut replaced

2008-03-11T14:07:00.016+08:00

Interesting to receive news that the first astronaut for Korea will now be a woman (and a pretty one too)...the first Asian woman on the moon by default. Is this what destiny or fate means in Asia?

Quoting from BBC International:

Yi So-yeon, 29, is to replace Ko San, 31, on a Russian flight to the International Space Station in April...

...On one occasion, Mr Ko sent a training book back to South Korea - something he said was by mistake.

On another, he received a book from a Russian colleague that he was not meant to read, said Lee Sang-mok of South Korea's Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.

Mr Ko was replaced at the request of Russia: "The Russians emphasised the importance of abiding by the rules, as even small mistakes can bring about grave consequences in space," Mr Lee said.

Ms Yi will spend seven or eight days there, conducting a series of scientific tests.

Unquote

to be a woman

2008-03-11T06:27:00.001+08:00

If you can live each day with the assurance
That a ‘girl’ is something wonderful to be
If you can find a way to meet your problems
With courage and with true maturity

If you can be attractive and in fashion
You are never swayed by vulgar style
If you can choose the finer things life offers
Rejecting what is worthless with a smile…

If you can guard the principles you live by –
Hold fast to truth and honor all through life
And stand for right in every situation
No matter what the world may say or do…

If you can try to offer hope or comfort
To those who seem to need a helping hand
If you can offer little acts of kindness
Or say a word that shows you understand

If you can meet a trying situation
Without complaint and with spirit high
If you can face occasional disappointment
Not yielding to a grumble or a sigh

If you can learn to make a firm decision
And say ‘I will’ – never ‘I may’ or ‘might’
If you can follow in your true vocation
Unswerving, for you know your course is right…

If you can take delight in little children
And be a friend to older folks you know
If you can give your warmth and understanding
To fill the lives of those who love you so…

If you can practice all the arts of living
With gracious kindness and with real integrity
You’re bound to be a happy person, always
And the lovely woman you were meant to be.

-- author unknown --

international women's day

2008-03-10T07:54:00.006+08:00

I grew up at a time when education was a given and we are allowed to explore our horizons.

I didn't realise this day, 'The International Women's Day' celebrated on March 8th 2008 was first celebrated in 1907.

Please go to this webcast site http://www.internationalwomensday.com/ to hear what the women are saying.

leap year

2008-02-29T14:14:00.008+08:00

Today is Friday the 29th of February which occurs every four years.

Haha! Traditionally, this is known as "Bachelor's Day" when a woman is allowed to propose to the man she loves. If he refused, he has to pay a penalty in kind like a gown or in cash. Anyway this doesn't apply today as each is free to propose to the other whenever and wherever!

I gather a leap year is needed to keep "our calendar in alignment with its earth revolution to the sun".

The time the earth takes to travel around the sun is 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes and 46 seconds to be precise. Accumulatively, the calendar would gain a day every four years!

Happy Birthday to those born on this day!

haiku

2008-02-28T10:41:00.025+08:00

I see the word 'haiku' appearing...what is hiaku? A string of words illustrating a picture like a photo or humor?

I know this is one form of Japanese poems.

Is this a hiaku write? Below my attempt at writing one. Please critique. Thank you

Cherry blossoms --

swoon lovers everywhere.

Its scent softly wafts the air.

.....

Update 18 March:

Thank you MOI for sharing the metric pattern of haiku: 5-7-5 syllables on each line. So I shall revise and hope to receive comment...

.....

Cherry blossoms swoon

lovers everywhere scent

softly wafts the air.

Grateful to MOI for guidance...modified accordingly.

the power of 'I'

2008-02-19T11:55:00.017+08:00

I have come to the frightening conclusion

that I am the decisive element.

It is my personal approach that creates the climate.

It is my daily mood that makes the weather.

.....

I possess tremendous power

to make life miserable or joyous.

I can be a tool of torture or

an instrument of inspiration;

I can humiliate or humor,

hurt or heal.

.....

In all situations, it is my response that decides

whether a crisis is escalated or de-escalated,

and

a person is humanized or de-humanized.

......

If we treat people as they are,

we make them worse.

If we treat people as they ought to be,

we help them become

what they are capable of becoming.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

time

2008-02-18T21:39:00.022+08:00

Changes, changes,

Changes going on all the time

Man is always changing

and rearranging

...

Time changes

color

spring to summer to autumn to winter

fragrance in air

in the feel

in weather

...

Time and tide waits for no man

we're told

there is no time

there is no wait.

...

Time heals

they say

will I

when broken within

body heals

not hurts or loss.

...

Time

though abstract

real.

just married

2008-02-17T11:10:00.008+08:00

Announcing home of the newly wed.

lovers kissing rock

2008-02-13T03:03:00.002+08:00

What a cool rock sculpture -- a gift from nature!

A couple caught kissing in a romantic spot?

.....

Happy Valentine!

seven-fairies mountain 七仙岭

2008-02-10T15:20:00.001+08:00

Seven-fairies Mountain is located in the central part of Hainan Island. This area has some natural hot springs.

We had the luxury of soaking in an open yet private man-made little hotspring pool overlooking the 7-fairies mountain.

Can you see or count there are 7 rocks?

These strange-looking rocks jut out of nowhere.

So I presume the locals wove a story to their existence.

.....

Once upon a time there were 7 fairies who descended to earth to enjoy the hotspring bath. They enjoyed themselves so much that they forgot their curfew hours. As a result they could not return home and were turned into those rocks. Hence the name for the mountain range.

postscript on qizi bay

2008-02-07T11:27:00.001+08:00

Qizi Bay caught my attention when I was browsing and I stumbled on the Hainan Photologue (http://www.hainan-world.com/). It appears the coastline has changed a little since the last time those photos were taken. No pebbles were found on other beaches except for the one at Dajiao during our time there.

One finds elderly in their 70s still going out to sea fishing. They are strong and sturdy. Where are the young ones? Have they left for bigger cities to make a living rather than building up their little hometown? Perhaps poverty is what drives the young to seek fortune elsewhere. Will there be decentralization and development in areas like Qizi Bay?

Seafood is fresh but the way it was cooked, little to rave and considered expensive.

I was touched when we were told by the motocab driver that the hotel owner called her to find out if we had called around 3pm. They were wondering if they should call for help before dark. Hotels provide only lodging – no food.

While we were somewhat lost on the mountain sandy track at Dajiao, we saw goat droppings along the path suggesting we were not lost. We kept trudging forward. While on high altitude, there was no signal to the mobile phone. Thank goodness when we entered the rocky coastline, there was reception to the mobile phone! What a relief! We were then directed to this little hut (the elderly fisherman couple’s occasional abode) and the sand dune beach – telling us we’d arrived at Zhongjiao. We then continued on to where the motocab driver collected us.

When we were on the rocky coastline, I discovered our voices were muted when we yelled or called out to one another…even with a whistle!

Strangely there were no birds or seagulls along the whole stretch of the bay. Prickly plants were found on the mountain range. Was this a desert before?

Qizi Bay coastline has some varied and interesting rock formations. Please engage a local guide (if there is one) and wear life-jackets when exploring.

Is ignorance bliss or foolishness on my part to explore Qizi Bay without a guide or a map? Whichever, I enjoyed my time there and will return to explore again.

sunsets

2008-02-06T22:00:00.001+08:00

We were told Xiaojiao or Small Point has the best sunsets.

boulders in xiaojiao

sunset at changhua

small point (xiaojiao) of qizi bay

2008-02-05T21:17:00.000+08:00

Xiaojiao or Small Point of Qizi Bay can only be accessed on foot. This picture is taken half-way to Small Point or xiaojiao beach looking towards Changhua. The locals gladly directed us the way when we said we were interested in visiting the beach.

......

Will this become a lagoon when the tide is high?

This is when we stepped foot on the beach looking towards the rocky section of Small Point (Xiaojiao).

View looking towards the footpath we came by.

Sand dune on the beach front beyond the rocky section of Xiaojiao.

mid-point (zhongjiao) medley

2008-02-04T17:27:00.001+08:00

It was a relief to see another human being after a day of trekking sandy mountain range and rocks! This fisherman, in his late 70s, was manouvring the boat ready to take out to sea the following morning, around 3am when the tide is high.

......

It was heart-warming when his wife, in her early 70s, came to usher her husband home for dinner.

The coastline of Qizi Bay has many different faces to its formation.
At this point, there is a sand dune which we just couldn't resist sliding -- naturally this is not as exciting as those in the playground!

Sunset at Mid-point or Zhongjiao. This was taken when we were being ferried back to Changhua from new location.
Casuarina trees did not grow there naturally but were transplanted along the coast.

heavy snowfalls

2008-02-03T10:10:00.000+08:00

(photos taken from chinadaily.com.cn)

An aesthetic picture? This also reveals food shortage in days to come.

China is experiencing one of its worst snowstorms since the 1950s. For China to experience such at this time of year is most inauspicious as the Lunar Chinese New Year falls on 7th & 8th of February. This is the time when families get-together no matter how poor a family is, there will always be celebration of sorts -- the festive season is a must for family togetherness.

However with this unabated snowstorms forthcoming, how do the Chinese read the zodiac year of the rat? This also coincides the main focus of the year: the Olympics Games.

Many Chinese believe in nature. How will they interpret this religiously?

energy or power crisis -- back to basics?

Canada has experienced an unusual flood of snowfalls and so is the US.

Global warming? Is mother nature playing a joke on earth?

Now where will the debate on man thoughtlessly creating global warming stand? I'm not suggesting that man has no part but to exaggerate and harp upon man's activities is...

It appears the melting of the ice-cap might be due to some underground volcanic activities.

Is this El Nino or La Nina activity?

The truth is I'm confused at all the on-going debates.

more zhongjiao coastline formation

2008-02-02T15:28:00.001+08:00

Can one swim around this area when the tide is high?

Elderlies are found picking sea slugs on the rocks to make some pocket money.
....
The higher terrain yonder is filled with sand, so trekking on that is more strenuous than walking along the rocky area.

mid-point (zhongjiao)

2008-02-01T16:08:00.001+08:00

Is this monument built as landmark to the mid-point of Qizi Bay?

According to the Chinese characters, it appears one can sight its location from air and from sea.

This was the location where the motocab brought us when we asked to come to Zhongjiao.

a pocket beach along the Mid-point or Zhongjiao: broken corals and nice seashells are found along this stretch of white sand

some rocky coastlines

2008-01-31T13:04:00.000+08:00

It's amazing how the direction of the waves have the power to create different formation of the coastline.

qizi pebble beach at dajiao

2008-01-30T11:55:00.001+08:00

Qizi Bay got its name from this little (pocket) beach sandwiched among its rocky coastline.

Along this rocky stretch of bay lies many smaller pocket beaches.

Strangely it's only on this beach one finds pebbles, which the Chinese call 'qizi' or chess seeds. At other beaches, you find seashells and broken corals but not on this! How were these pebbles form?

.....

There is a popular legend known about this beach. Once two immortals were caught up in their game of chess that they'd forgotten to eat. The kind villagers brought them food. In gratitude when they left, they threw their chess seeds as memento. This was why the pebbles look like the chess seeds.

......

We spent the morning pottering and basking under the sun...it was overcast though so we didn't feel the hot sun! Normally when on the beach, one finds birds or seagulls, but here...there is no sign of flying creatures!

reflections

2008-01-29T15:14:00.000+08:00

It was an interesting morning when the sky was overcast. When I looked up, I gasped and awed -- even the clouds have the motif or pattern of the rocks below! Contrast of sandy beach on one side and rocky terrain of coastline on the other of Dajiao (Big Point).

human face sculpture

2008-01-28T13:19:00.001+08:00

Can the fishermen sight this from the sea?

We were told that fishermen will never take the females with them out to sea as they will lose their catch of the day!Interesting finds: this human half-faced sculpture was etched on the high cliff

(see photo below on the high cliff).

The coastline is rocky and craggy. We had to trek on the mountain of rocks and sand. Vegetation like the cactus and some prickly plants survived the sandy rock crevices.

qizi bay beach at dajiao (big point)

2008-01-27T21:52:00.000+08:00

In the next few posts, I want to record my exploration of this interesting beach-cum-rocky coastline of Qizi Bay 棋子湾 in photos: the two characters 棋子 can be translated as the pieces that one makes moves in the chess game or chess seeds.

As mentioned before, there was no map or tour guide to help us explore.

I tried sourcing the length of Dajiao 大角 (Big Point) but... We took 2 days to trek through this most challenging section of the beach and rocky coastline and sandy mountain trek.

We had arranged with the motocab driver the night before to pick us up at 6am the following day. It was really cold during the ride to Dajiao or Big Point as there was no shelter on the motocab.

We were pleasantly surprised when we arrived at the point to discover Dajiao or Big Point was divided along the sandy beach stretch of the Bay and the rocky coastline stretch.

I have problem in uploading the pictures!

...had the beach to selves.

Fancy cattle grazing on the beach!

sunrise at qizi bay

2008-01-26T19:17:00.001+08:00

Qizi Bay is divided into 3 sections, from north to south: Dajiao 大角 (Big Point), Zhongjiao 中角 (Mid-Point) and Xiaojiao 小角 (Small Point).

...

We were told the best sunrise is at Big Point and the sunset is at Small Point.

We arrived early to catch the sunrise around 6.30am but were disappointed on both mornings.

This sun appeared around 8.30am!

turtle rock

2008-01-25T20:11:00.000+08:00

Legend has it that once upon a time, fishermen were caught in an unexpected huge storm. In answer to distress, seven turtles appeared to save the fishermen. However the last one did not make it back to sea as it was too tired ferrying the fishermen that it died and became that rock.

Now I understand why in Chinese souvenir shops, there is the turtle ornaments for sale.

goddess of mercy rock 观音石

2008-01-24T16:31:00.000+08:00

From this angle, the rock does look interesting, almost like a human figure, however from another, this is just a mass of rocks.

...

The Chinese believe this rock resembles the Goddess of Mercy. There is a shrine below this huge rock. There is a tiny path that leads to this rock and this is on a high altitude. (Unfortunately I could not take a picture of the shrine below as I ran out of battery power to my camera.)

...

The Chinese believe that the fishermen were well protected.

emperor's throne rock 龙位石

2008-01-23T16:57:00.001+08:00

It was after a challenging and arduous climb on the sandy mountain that we eventually reach this rocky area. We had been looking for this nature's piece of sculpture, known as the Emperor's Throne. [ In traditional China, 龙 or dragon, this character refers to the Emperor. So 龙位 means emperor's seat which is the throne. ] Surrounding the throne were the subjects just a little below the seat.

It was said if a couple made love there and bore a boy, the child was considered a dragon; if a girl, a phoenix.

When we were at the site, there was no way one could climb up to that throne nor any comfortable place below for any one to make out!

If the sea was high tide, this would be seen lying out in the sea.

life is like mountaineering...

2008-01-22T11:25:00.001+08:00

(taken from BBC)

Sir Edmund Hillary will always be remembered as the first to succeed in conquering the world’s highest plateau on 29 May 1953 together with his Sherpa companion, Tenzing Norgay. This was also the day Queen Elizabeth was crowned. Sir Edmund was knighted for his efforts, and Tenzing given a medal.

However he said, “My most worthwhile things have been building the schools and clinics. That has given me more satisfaction than a footprint on a mountain.” In 1964 he founded the Himalayan Trust when he was New Zealand’s High Commissioner to India for two years. This Trust helped establish clinics, hospitals and nearly 30 schools.

Sir Edmund, 88, died of a heart attack in Auckland on 11 January 2008.

Quote: “Sir Edmund Hillary remained philosophical about living with such an early achievement. He explained: I’ve had a full and rewarding life. Life’s a bit like mountaineering – never look down.” Unquote (BBC International news)

changhua 昌化镇

2008-01-21T20:36:00.000+08:00

Changhua is a fishing port situated at the tip of the Qizi Bay.

What a clean and tidy little town!

A bus station. We call on the mobile for the tricycle motocab services to and from Qizi Bay.

An old man on his bullock cart.

These were taken at low tide. I imagine the whole place would be flooded when the tide is high.

qizi bay 祺子湾

2008-01-20T21:48:00.001+08:00

The focus of my travel to Hainan Island [ 海南岛 ] was to explore Qizi Bay [ 祺子湾 ]. This is a stretch of 15km, from north to south, S-shaped coastline of sandy beach and rocks punctuated with coves ending at Changhua town [ 昌化镇 ]. We stayed at Changhua from 3rd till 6th instant exploring the Bay.

There was no guide or map on this rock 'trekking'. (I found this place on the internet and gungho I wanted to explore as I love rock formation coastlines.) We went by our instincts though. Along the way, a Chinese male visitor at the beginning of the Bay (or Dajiao literally meaning Big Point) told us not to trek those rocks alone!

The Bay is divided into 3 sections: Dajiao 大角 (Big Point), Zhongjiao 中角 (Mid-point) and Xiaojiao 小角 (Small Point).

A China Chinese friend from Guangzhou and I met at Haikou city, the capital of Hainan Island. We stayed a night at Banana Hostel, a place where overseas visitors stayed. Unfortunately this is not well-run. This friend reckoned it was expensive staying here.

We took a bus from the Western bus station at midday picking up commuters along the way until plying on the expressway. The condition of the roads and expressways were excellent -- no potholes.

Banana and mango plantations lined the west coast and flax were planted where water was lacking. We crossed several bridges. A chinese man told me proudly, "There is no flood in Hainan. All the water flows back to the sea."

The little towns we passed by were clean and tidy.

At one stopover, I had to ease myself and I was pleasantly surprise to find the squatting toilet, was clean and not smelly! This is not a flushing toilet, but there was a huge jar of water to clean it after each use. (Remember to bring your own toilet paper.) Whew! Later I was told the toilet (stood next to a shop) belongs to a home -- that was why it was clean and no odor!

......

The bus driver dropped us at the first hotel sighted in Changhua town around 5pm. This was a one-year-old lodging providing room and no food. The room was spacious with a queen-size bed and a single bed -- for a family I suppose. There was comforter on the bed to keep us warm, an airconditioner if we needed to cool ourselves and there was electricity and hot water!

After checking in, we had to look for our evening meal. Eventually we ended up in the restaurant I found on the internet. Unfortunately the gentleman was not available to be our guide as he now owns a prawn farm. He showed us some photos of the natural rock sculptures and legends behind the unique pieces of rocks from his photo album.

haikou city

2008-01-19T06:51:00.000+08:00

Haikou City is the capital of Hainan Island in China. (I would like to post a series of pictures on this Island but...)

There are many interesting places to explore on this Island. The weather is cool at this time of the year, almost like the spring in Auckland but the nights do get chilly. In the day it is sunny and can get quite oppressively hot (especially in the June month) depending where you are. Many of the richer mainlanders will travel to the Island at this time of year to get away from the cold wintry months. These rich will buy a holiday home on this Island.

Banana Hostel is owned by a foreigner (British) n his Chinese wife. Situated on an island off Haikou City linked by bridges in downtown. Wawa is the receptionist.

Xinxiu (新秀) Beach for sailing. Many sail boats and yachts anchoring along the beach front. There are several beaches in Haikou county. [China is sectioned by provinces, equivalent to states in the US, and in each province, there are the counties.]

Tricycle motocab is one mode of convenient transport for short distances.

The Western Bus Station terminus

Early morning market along a main street -- strangely clean, dry and no smell. Food is not cheap. Cost of living is high for the nationals.

visit to hainan island

2008-01-13T22:44:00.000+08:00

It was one of the most interesting 10 days on the Hainan Island situated on the south of the Mainland China. This is the smallest province in China though she is the biggest island, next to Taiwan.

A 71-year-old man selling sugar cane walking along the Xinxiu beach in Haikou City.

This lady, in her 60s, is selling shellfish that she actually dug with her bare hands this bucket full of shellfish around the port area at Changhua, a fishing port.

goodbye 2007

2007-12-31T09:20:00.000+08:00

2007 is the year I started blogging. I was somewhat surprised at that I had posted. Hm...I enjoy that variety in my blog.

One thing I didn't appreciate about this blog is the hiccups in getting my blog posted. Even this one has problem when I entered earlier. I do not know if you can view this post, certainly I couldn't. This is why I added this.

It's amazing what one can write and as I read those written from my virtual friends, I'd gleaned much. I must say we are really an interesting bunch! I hope we can still keep in touch through this special way.

Here's wishing my virtual friends a year of wonder, bright and breaming with joyous activities for 2008!

unable to view post

2007-12-22T14:29:00.000+08:00

This is most exasperating!

I cannot view the blog (picture) I had posted on Whimsical Christmas!

whimsical christmas

2007-12-21T22:48:00.001+08:00

Have a whimsical christmas from the tropics!

chimps and photographic memory

2007-12-07T05:42:00.000+08:00

Some reckon or believe that man evolved and that chimpanzees are man's closest relatives!

The research published in Current Biology, a publication of Cell Press, revealed that young chimpanzees have better memory than humans.

Dr Matsuzawa and colleagues taught the chimps to 'count' from 1 to 9 before they conducted and tested 3 pairs of mother and their 5-year old off-spring against university students in memory task involving numbers.

Quoting from BBC News:
"During the experiment, each subject was presented with various numerals from one to nine on a touch screen monitor.
...
The numbers were then replaced with blank squares and the test subject had to remember which number appeared in which location, then touch the appropriate square.
...
They found that, in general, the young chimps performed better than their mothers and the adult humans.
...
The university students were slower than all of the three young chimpanzees in their response.
...
The researchers then varied the amount of time that the numbers appeared on-screen to compare the working memory of humans and chimps.
...
Chimps performed much better than university students in speed and accuracy when the numbers appeared only briefly on screen.
...
The shortest time duration, 210 milliseconds, did not leave enough time for the subjects to explore the screen by eye movement - something we do all the time when we read.
...
This is evidence, the researchers believe, that young chimps have a photographic memory which allows them to memorise a complex scene or pattern at a glance. This is sometimes present in human children but declines with age, they say.
...
"Young chimpanzees have a better memory than human adults," Dr Matsuzawa told BBC News.
...
"We are still underestimating the intellectual capability of chimpanzees, our evolutionary neighbours." Unquote.

What do you reckon?

Do you accept that man evolved? Does this suggest there is no 'missing link' between the chimps and man? In terms of swiftness and power, animals outperform.

I believe only man can reason and that man was created at the beginning. Created from what? As written in the Bible...from dust but became alive through the breath of God.

an ordinary

2007-11-29T08:32:00.000+08:00

How do you like these candle-holders for a Christmas gift?

problem on blog site

2007-11-22T10:02:00.000+08:00

For the past week I'd been having problem with this blog site. That I had posted did'nt appear when I return to 'view blog'.

Now when I enter I cannot view posting on 'space idol' which I was able to last evening.

When I go to my regular blogger friend's blog like 'Spilling Out' 'Glimpses Intangible', I seem to miss that latest post which I had entered before.

Can any one tell me what's happening?

Am I a little 'off' if I view this as someone playing tricks? If so, can the administration do something?

Ha! I had just entered 'view blog' and guess what? I cannot see that posted, yet when I enter the 'edit posts' I'm able to see to write this!

space idol

2007-11-21T09:59:00.000+08:00

America initiated American Idol, a program to scout talents in the entertainment field.

Today, in Asia, the Koreans have Space Idol; a program to ‘raise the dreams and hopes of the young generation…to make space science
more popular’ quoted from Kim Chang-Woo, director general for space technology.

...

The president of the Korea Aerospace Research Institute, Paik Hong-yul, reinforced that ‘…our space program is about courage and dreams. This is above money; it’s about developing as a nation…’ -- for long-term commercial benefits and national pride.

30-year old research scientist, Ko San (photo from BBC), survived a series of grueling mental and physical tests in this televised competition. Becoming the first Korean spaceman, he will fly with 2 Russian cosmonauts in 2008 from the Naro Space Centre situated on an island 500km south of Seoul.

office gossip

2007-11-20T12:00:00.000+08:00

Office gossips is one of the strongest undercurrent that affects work productivity and can break goodwill among staff members working together. In a big corporation, this can build up to having factions and blocking cooperation between departments...office politics?!

It was refreshing to hear that whoever gossips or slanders another would be fired -- an office in England. Sometimes gossip can be caustic and contagious. Is there a difference between rant and gossip?

A gossip is talking behind someone's back in a facetious fashion. If this creates ill-will among staff members then it is legitimate as this definitely affects work productivity.

How does the boss manage this without infringing on one's right to talk or let off steam?

In its context, the boss will need to confront the person who has been gossiping or ranting about another and bring the respective parties together to iron out the issue in question. Let the two work out their differences. If one of the two continues, in the event, it is legitimate to fire the respective staff.

If the gossip is against the boss, then the staff ought to consider resigning if he/she did not work well under him -- rather than slandering.

remembrance sunday

2007-11-11T18:50:00.001+08:00

my thoughts on peace

2007-11-08T23:54:00.002+08:00

Peace is freedom on the personal and political level.

Peace is living in contentment, responding to challenging situations and learning to make the best use of whatever limitations or lacking in resources.

Peace is living and accepting disciplines and boundaries.

Peace is having good governance in a country where citizens working together with political leaders to win-win situations. Peace is not conformity or living in terror.

Peace is discovering that man has the right to choose life over death.

Peace is free of conflicts within and without.

Peace is learning to accept differences and live with diversities.

Peace is when man can realize his/her potential to the fullest; the dare to open doors and explore horizons beyond.

peace hybrid tea rose

2007-11-08T00:37:00.001+08:00

peace hybrid tea rose

This popular variety was created by

French hybridzer, Madam Antoine Meillard (1945)

at the end of World War II.

The flower became symbol for the end of war.

-----

While I'd like to join Mimi and gang to stand for Dona Nobis Pacem

-- my laptop crashed when posting the pictures!

Shalom.

bleeding heart

2007-11-03T03:55:00.001+08:00

This is also known as glorybower.

botanic name: clerodendrum thomsonae

Wonder how this name, bleeding heart, came about.

elephant climbers

2007-10-27T10:33:00.000+08:00

Good morning!

Morning glory? From its new shoots, you know that isn't.

This is an elephant climber...a huge climber plant...perhaps the name given? Interesting to find out how this name was given.

obesity

2007-10-24T03:39:00.001+08:00

It appears obesity is lowest in East Asia while a rise in percentile in other parts of the world.

Attribute to drinking Chinese tea or green tea without sugar and this beverage breaks down fats?

I'd experimented this in cooking -- putting a couple of chinese tea leaves in a pot of mutton, beef or duck soup and I see the fat dissolves or disappearing. Naturally this did not remove the fat altogether.

anyway

2007-10-20T09:20:00.000+08:00

This 'creed of Mother Teresa' was left in my comments box from Glimpses Intangible. I like this so much that I post this for keepsake. Thank you Pauline.

People are often

unreasonable, illogical and self-centered.

Forgive them anyway.

....

If you are kind,

people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.

Be kind anyway.

....

If you are successful,

you will win some false friends and some true enemies.

Succeed anyway.

....

If you are honest and frank,

people may cheat you.

Be honest and frank anyway.

....

What you spend years building,

someone could destroy overnight.

Build anyway.

....

If you find serenity and happiness,

they may be jealous.

Be happy anyway.

....

The good you do today,

people will often forget tomorrow.

Do good anyway.

....

Give the world the best you have,

and it may never be enough.

Give the world the best you've got anyway.

....

You see in the final analysis,

it is between you and God.

It is never between you and them anyway.

...

Mother Teresa (1910-1997)

peace protest

2007-10-17T05:04:00.000+08:00

It was Mother Teresa who said she would participate a peace protest -- and not an anti-war protest!

The recent event in Burma or Myanmar had its twists and turns. The women were the first to take on to the street in the light of the 5-fold fuel hike. Then the saffron-attired Buddhist monks rallied. There was orderliness with civilians protecting these monks on the march. All they did was sat down and prayed.

How did the rally turn out bloody, causing the untimely death of an experienced Japanese photo-journalist, and now the crack down of those who participated in the protest?

Why were arrests made in the middle of the night? Is this to create fear just to paralyse the people? What have the Junta or the military have to hide?

Evil works at dark while light reveals.

Why is the people in Burma -- a country rich in natural resources and a land that produces rice, the staple diet -- live in dire poverty today? In the 1950s she was the envy in South East Asia for its prosperity. Today?

Is this the result of governing leaders who took care of themselves and their families? Apparently there was lavish display of wealth at the leader's daughter's wedding while the people live in poverty.

Can people power not quash these tyrant leaders? Or the Junta has the military behind them that gave them the power -- guns and war weapons?

prayer of peace

2007-10-15T10:24:00.000+08:00

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,
Grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console;
To be understood as to understand;
To be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

St Francis of Assisi (1181-1226)

breast cancer

2007-10-14T14:34:00.000+08:00

It seems breast cancer is on the rise among women of every race in the world today. Why?

Is this the result of change in diet? It appears some women who migrated from Taiwan to the US, who in their elder years had been diagnosed with breast cancer. Is this because they ate more red meats as compared to the diet they grew up with -- more tofu and vegetables and less meat? Or vice versa when a caucasian young who changed to a tofu diet in coincidence died of breast cancer?

Migration? Stress? Women holding day jobs and taking care of the homes? Promiscuity? Free sex? Drugs?

Lacking in exercise? Leading too sedentary lives? Unlike yesteryears, women have to work very hard, lots of manual and menial tasks...

Unhappiness...psychological stress...divorce?

Or, are we too well educated that we see everything as symptom and therefore needing immediate attention whereas in the past, women might have lumps and conveniently dismissed that and were able to live longer lives? An elderly friend's mother shared that her grandmother had a lump in her breast and she went on to live to her ripe old age 80 or more...

These are some fleeting thoughts.

nobel literature prize

2007-10-12T09:58:00.000+08:00

Congratulations to Ms Doris Lessing, the first British female writer in Britain to receive the Nobel Prize who will turn 88 on 22nd October. She's the 11th woman to have won the prize since first awarded in 1901.

----

"I've won all the prizes in Europe, every bloody one, so I'm delighted to win them all. It's a royal flush," she said.

----

My introduction to her writing was when I was drawn to the title 'the grass is singing' --story with insights of a colonial family in South Africa. The other was 'the good terrorist' -- controversial title! My impression was a girl who join the cause because of her love for her man.

unfold

2007-10-08T10:21:00.001+08:00

an interesting piece of decor art sighted at a distance

when unfold, it's rattan table and chairs for the outdoors

chinese lanterns or japanese lanterns

2007-10-04T00:30:00.001+08:00

the fruit is also commonly known as cape gooseberry or winter cherry

-- a native of Eastern Europe and Asia

Its botanic name is physalis alkekengi.

Its flowers, white but none in sight...

----
The gardener at the Wintere Garden, New Zealand,
kindly open up the calyx to reveal its fruit.

He said, "Just now I shoo off

a group of Chinese national tourists who

picked the fruits and hurl these in their mouths!"

-----
Its fruit tastes like cherry tomato with an eggy fragrance.

.....

Its white flower (borrowed picture)

decor art

2007-10-01T09:41:00.000+08:00

decor art piece to hide those ugly air-conditioning vents

rose pavarotti

2007-09-27T17:30:00.001+08:00

New hybrids are often named after VIPs or name given by the growers.

This hybrid tea rose was dedicated to and named after Luciano Pavarotti.

-----

Those of us who are classically trained in music be it instrumental or vocal will not forget his face or his voice.

I'm an ardent fan of this tenor voice...Luciano Pavarotti's clear and warm tone and agility in execution, and his ability to hit the 'high C' note with ease which a soprano would have difficulty.

What a grand way he left this earth on 6 September 2007 in his hometown, Modena, Italy, where he was born on 12 October 1935 and surrounded by relatives and family members -- 3 grown-up daughters by his first wife of 34 years, a granddaughter and 4-year old daughter in recent marriage.

Last July he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

"I dreamed to become a singer when I was four and I hear my father singing in the church with a beautiful tenor voice," he told CNN at an interview in 1991. His father was a baker and his mother, a factory worker.

He would spend his after school hours learning to sing. Then at 19, he took formal lessons on operatic singing but was not able to find employment or recognition. His pact with his parents was he would leave their nest at 30 years of age.

When he was 25, he almost quit singing due to a throat nodule but after a remarkable recovery, he entered the stage. In his autobiography, he wrote, "Everything I had learned came together with my natural voice to make the sound I had been struggling so hard to achieve."

In 1965, Luciano Pavarotti was first brought on-stage at short notice by Dame Joan Sutherland, Australian soprano diva, when the tenor for the performance of Gaetano Donizetti's "Lucia di Lammermoor" took ill during the US tour. Then he made his debut at the New York Metropolitan Opera House 3 years later. His fame grew with triumphant performances in London, Rome, Sydney and many other cities thereon...

Perhaps Pavarotti's biggest gift and legacy was when he teamed up with Placido Domingo and Jose Carreras when they performed at the 1990 Soccer World Cup...introducing operatic music to estimated 800 million people around the world. He also shared the same platform with pop singers like Bono, Vanessa Williams, and many others...

His signature aria Puccini's "Nessun Dorma" from Turandot which was the theme song at the 1990 Soccer World Cup. He was invited to sing the same aria at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin.

---------

Update: Read on the Times magazine that he left 26-million dollars in debt...is he a fool or a smart fella! (28 Oct 2007)

a roundabout

2007-09-22T17:41:00.000+08:00

totem decor art serving as a rounabout in a cul-de-sac

nine-eleven

2007-09-16T11:29:00.001+08:00

(taken from an archive website which I can't find for image credit...help needed.)

Time, like an ever-flowing stream
will never wash the sorrow and pain
on September 11, 2001.
Since, the world and the US stood tall together.

Those flickering candles remind us
our fragile lives so easily snuffed out
by mad psychos who champion evil
believing sacrifices for their Allah

(doubt that is Allah's plan!)

That coward psycho-leader Osama bin Laden showed on internet
urged Americans to embrace Islam today –
6 years after that fateful day
the curse that brought down

the Twin Towers

which stood so tall and elegant
a world in microcosm
housed the best of the best
turned to ashes!

This insane leader made use of the weak-willed
to feed his madness
unwilling to blow himself up
he’s appealing for more young Islam believers
to become suicide bombers!
------
Jesus Christ sacrificed Himself on the cross
to redeem and reconcile man to God!

------

(taken from www.september11news.com)

sea star

2007-09-15T01:46:00.000+08:00

Bat starfish (please correct me...thank you)

----

I love nature.

I wanted to keep this when I found this on the beach,

but I was told not to

as it smells bad unless properly treated!

----

This was my first encounter and I was fascinated.

The little spikes (please click to view) are hard and

I wonder how they manage their food.

victory

2007-09-12T13:34:00.000+08:00

When you are forgotten or neglected,

or purposely set at naught,

and you smile inwardly,

glorying in the insult or the oversight,

That is victory.

----

When your good is evil spoken of,

when your wishes are crossed,

your tastes offended,

your advice disregarded,

your opinions ridiculed,

and you take it all in loving patient silence,

That is victory.

----

When you are content

with any food,

any raiment,

any climate,

any society,

any position in life,

any solitude,

any interruption,

That is victory.

----

When you can bear with any discord,

any annoyance,

any irregularity (of which you are not the cause),

That is victory.

----

When you can stand face to face with folly,

extravagance, spiritual insensibility,

contradiction of sinners, persecution

-- and endure it all as Jesus endured --

That is victory.

----

When you never care to refer to yourself

in conversation,

nor to record your works,

nor to seek after commendation,

when you truly love to be unknown,

That is victory.

Anonymous

star fruit

2007-09-10T12:46:00.000+08:00

Its flowers are small (size) and in a cluster.

What furry petals!

But bears a few fruits from a cluster of florets.

Its fragrance sweet.

This was taken from an open field: perhaps sour! Only the cultivated ones are sweet and edible.

a robot that cooks

2007-09-06T07:33:00.000+08:00

Read on China Daily that a retired professor in Beijing developed a robot chef.

Apparently the robot chef was able to prepare his favorite dishes: "...takes only a few minutes for the computer-based robot to cook a delicious meal for me with well-prepared foods, vegetables and meat," said Liu Changfa.

At least 200 persons from his community in Changping District of Beijing had tasted the food the robot chef whipped up and according to one..."food as delicious as that made (cooked?) by a well-trained chef".

What a convenient gadget to have when old and for those who dislike cooking or disabled. No matter, I'd rather cook up something for self...unless going into food and beverage business?!

music to ears

2007-08-30T13:22:00.000+08:00

Two Sundays ago, I decided to go photo-taking after church service.

I had a most interesting experience.

Naturally passers-by shunned me when I was sitting on the sidesteps...

trying to study these little flowers littered the pavement

along the main road.

*******

To my surprise I heard...thug...thug...thug...thug...

here, there and everywhere

after a strong gush of wind!

The sound came from these flowers landing on the concrete.

You wouldn't think a tiny flower could cause such

but this was music to my ears...

The flowers came from this huge tree...too tall to capture the flowers.

greed

2007-08-23T08:20:00.000+08:00

The recent financial news is much to be desired. Where is the integrity of the banks and the professional bank (home) loan officers who allowed those questioned applications?

Why should the reserve banks from the rest of the world pump in millions and trillions when this is the result of the irresponsibilities of the bank officers and the respective banks who gave loans to those with little means to maintain the loan in the US? It appears that in the US, every few years, the US reserve has to pump in to stop gap!

Naturally the institutions like banks have nothing to lose...rather, they have all to gain --they just repossess those faulted payments. Furthermore many houses are built 'on sand' -- poor quality housing!

Since the introduction of credit card, many in the West (and the rest of the world who fall prey) chalked up personal debts! There was the tune played how smart one is to use credit cards for transactions when the reality is man will spend more than necessary depending on his psychological state at the time!

Where is honesty? Where is integrity? The West used to be noted for its integrity...today...it appears the US have become rogues!

As a result there will be more homeless people in the US...and winter is approaching in a couple of months!

1st generation

2007-08-09T17:42:00.000+08:00

click to read...

42 years ago when Singapore became independent, she was a land without natural resources, only human resources.

She had a bunch of visionary cabinet leaders headed by Mr Lee Kuan Yew, the late Mr Rajaratnam, and Dr Goh Keng Swee and their cohorts who had sacrificed talents and time to build up Singapore to where she is.

Tributes given to these first generation of leaders who helped the citizens battled through natural disaster like water rationing; racial riots and communism that had been infiltrating this area.

The leaders had the vision to provide housing for the people. Today, about 90% of the population are home-owners, living in high-rise flats on this island city.

Happy 42nd birthday of independence!

May peace reign and prosperity flourish for years to come!

children

2007-08-07T16:52:00.001+08:00

Children Learn What They Live

If children live with hostility,

they learn to fight.

If children live with ridicule,

they learn to be shy.

If children live with tolerance,

they learn to be patient.

If children live with encouragement,

they learn confidence.

If children live with praise,

they learn to appreciate.

If children live with fairness,

they learn justice.

If children live with security,

they learn faith.

If children live with approval,

they learn to like themselves.

If children live with acceptance, and friendship,

they learn to find love in the world.

Dorothy L. Nolte, Ph.D.

wiggles

2007-08-04T10:18:00.001+08:00

Cool!

This really makes life easier for

young mothers with toddlers

while supermarketing!

2nd korean hostage killed

2007-08-01T12:57:00.000+08:00

Talibans? Who are you?

Why murder the innocent and the defenceless?

What cowardice!

You're powerless!

By taking the lives of the innocent,

you hope to get what you want?!

...

For the Christians,

death is an open door

to their Heavenly Father in Jesus Christ.

...

The two Korean men have become martyrs in your hands!

Their blood will remain in your land, Afghanistan.

...

The power of the Christian message will remain forever

and will bear fruit.

The Christian God in Jesus Christ will visit

those who took these innocent lives.

...

These Koreans came to help

bring relief and medical aid to your country

Yet you return

misery and ingratitude!

stars upon sand

2007-07-31T11:49:00.001+08:00

Reflection of the sun on water upon the sand.

......

I enjoy looking out for reflections wherever I go.

...

These days on the television screen,

all one sees is reality tv shows.

Are these representative of life?

If these are, do we really want to watch them?

Don't we have enough of these scenes

in our every day encounters?

Why watch reality tv shows

when real life acts out even better?

......

Personally I find these shows sick and nauseating!

Crass and revolting

but then it's a reflection of our psyche!

.......

If I want to watch something, I want

some hope, some joy, some winsome acts,

some...anything that is good.

Or...there might not be anything good at all today!

......

Do we know where we're going or what we're doing?

a moment of joy

2007-07-30T09:02:00.000+08:00

(photo taken from bbc.co.uk)

Daily, all one hears is suicide bombers taking civilians along with them...what dreadful news!

.......

What a moment of joy for the people of Iraq yesterday!

Congratulations to the Iraqi footballers (a mix of ethnic groups) for winning the Asian Cup! Striving for the World Cup next?

Sports transcend and unite.

reflection of a city

2007-07-29T16:27:00.000+08:00

a city captured in a reflection:

high-rise apartments for inner city dwellers,

office complexes and warehouse building.