Thoughts beyond my life & my travel - Bel

The coffee shop close to where I live was packed today. Most of us just wanted to sit down and read a book or surf the web in a lazy afternoon. I was about to read a book that I brought along until a "reporter" who sat opposite me started to set up her phone, earpiece and some note books to do a phone interview. I was not an eavesdropper, but I couldn't focus on what I was reading while she's asking tons of questions about advertising culture in HK. Maybe this topic is far more interesting than what I read from my book. Her body was moving as if she's doing a face-to-face interview with all those hand gestures flying around. That could definitely trigger my curiosity to read her story. While I could only hear the questions, I was guessing what the story she's going to write about. I felt like the focus of the story would be the advertising culture in Hong Kong and Asia. I got the impression that the interviewee tended to think TVCs were stronger in the 8...

It was a tremendous week. The highlight was a conference about women of influence. This year's event was actually very inspiring as many speakers shared their personal stories on how to success, like a woman who was born in Iran and had changed schools for 7 times in 12 years. That made her a very sociable person and adaptable to new environment. She evolved from a chemist to a business woman with a lot of hurdles but eventually through her network of friends and hard work, she succeeded. The opening kick started with the speech of the Chief Secretary who talked about trying to balance work and family life after years of services in the public sector.Her speech was full of wisdom and she is, no doubt, an eloquent speaker. We work hard and at the same time we should take our hard-earned holidays to enjoy quality time with family and friends. I learnt from this event, the power of speech is to speak authentically and from your heart. Sharing personal story always catch people...

My living space is very plain with white walls, no pictures or any decorations. I bought a small plant to bright up the living room early this year but the plant died after 2-3 months. Small plants are cute but there are very limited choice of tiny flower plants. I walked around the flower market and had a search at a flower fair but I couldn't find any sweet small plant with lovely flowers. Not till two weeks ago, I started to buy bunches of flowers and a tall vase. Flowers usually won't last more than 5 days, but they cheer me up and bring some positive energy to the house. I also feel I will have better luck with flowers, too. So, I bought my third bunches of flowers today. Unexpectedly, the flowers brought along conversations with the guard and my neighbour. I was given a suggestion to add some bleach water in the vase to make the flowers live longer. Why bleach water? My neighbour said it could kill the germs and let the flowers live healthy. Of course, I won...

"Beyond the satiation level of income, you can buy more pleasurable experiences, but you will lose some of your ability to enjoy the less expensive ones." I read this quote from the book, " Thinking Fast and Slow " by Daniel Kahneman. I'm never rich but I can relate this idea to what I experienced when I travelled first time. I sat by the window seat, feeling excited to see the plane flying among the clouds. A simple experience was a mere pleasure when I saw Paris, Greece or Italy. The enriched culture, exotic appearance of people and even the night train had become very sexy! I could survive with baguette for a few days, or sample cheese and skip my lunch. After years of travel, I start to look for something more "fascinating" to stimulate the senses, or just lie on the beach in a resort enjoying sunshine and good food. The book talks about measurement of well-being by U-index. What's well-being? Health? Happiness? This index refers to the p...

I heard the shocking news this evening. Centre for Health Protection (CHP) Controller Dr Thomas Tsang decided to leave CHP for good. I don't usually watch any press conference live on TV, but I was amazed with the press conference held by CHP. Dr Tsang seemed to study the "infection" issues in detail, and was ready to answer every single question with genuine response, data or research. He's like a super hero to me. I always think that maybe I will have a chance to work in CHP and learn from this great doctor one day. His departure is quite a surprise since he has been serving the public sector for almost 20 years. Nevertheless, he set a good example for his successor, and hopefully CHP can respond as fast as it is now in the future. After all, tackling super bugs or SARS is not an easy job! He said that he had no intention to work overseas or explore his career in the private sector. Will he be teaching in a university then? I will hope to become his student if he...

He is an ordinary old man, sitting close to the driver seat on a tram. Every time he sees some passengers getting on the tram, he is waving hard and tries to let people know that there is an empty seat next to him. He is simply eager to tell people his story. When a woman finally takes the seat, he rolls up his pants in no time, and shows the woman that he lost one leg as he fell from a 5-storey building. "I get used to it and I can carry 5-kg pack of rice up to the floor." He said. He seems to be proud to share about what happened to him, even initiates a conversation to an Indian business who is not interested at all but just shows him a smile anyway. Another old man who walks around a small park and proudly talks to a westerner who is taking photos of the lantern displays. "Are you a tourist?" He asked. "The display is the same as that of last year." To my surprise, he seems to be familiar with American politics and connects to the western guy by ...

It's an online era. We make friends online, we find travel partners online and we even spend a night in a stranger's place. I first read about couch surfing from a travel magazine. Young people in their 20s grouped together and spent 2-3 weeks in Europe. They learnt to perform in the street, and slept in a stranger's couches. They have an open mind to pursue this unique travel experience. Today, I met a guy who actually loves couch surfing. He was a host to two girls travelling to Asia, and he also travelled to Xian by couch surfing. The idea is quite scary, but if I had a second thought, I got to know a few kd lang fans on a message board over a decade ago, and I stayed at their places, too. Of course, they gave me a bed instead of a couch to sleep. But same as couch surfing, some do actually give you a proper bed or even a room instead of a couch. The idea of couch surfing is definitely interesting, intriguing and fascinating, but it's always a matter of trust ...

My friend's son is a 12-year-old boy, half a head shorter than I, but he is as tall as that of many grown-ups. His parents brought him to play badminton at a sport centre the very first time. But he couldn't quite hit the ball. Everyone can see he doesn't seem to have any ball sense. Badminton is a popular ball game here. Booking a government court is almost like a dream except the public holidays. Kids of my generations played badminton in the street with neighbours and friends. It's a game that we picked up when playing with friends as well as a popular social activity, just like guys playing football and basketball. I asked my friend, "how come your son doesn't know how to play badminton at all?" "Many parents prefer their kids to learn piano, drawings or dancing as these skills give them advantages of getting into a good school. Few kids excel in sports that can help them enrol in fine schools, so what's the point?" He said. ...

An article about night running captured my attention two months ago. More people have become fascinated by the idea of running at night and enjoying the quiet moment themselves. It is always a challenge to me for even running in a gym, so the idea of running in the street dreads me a lot. I was in my favourite park near the sea in Mid-Autumn festival. It was very packed but the weather was perfect with cool sea breeze. Apart from families lighting up candles and savouring moon cakes, runners were crazily running in circle. The weather is perfect for one to lie on the grass reading or watching people having fun. Of course, the article I read moves me a bit but I still need a stronger force to push me going out and running on the street. Maybe the perfect weather combined with the beloved park inspires me to start running. So after I bought the "gear" - new lighter sports shoes with better cushioning, and an arm belt for putting my iphone, I was willing to give it a try. ...

"What's your zodiac sign?" someone asked. "I'm Sagittarius. You really look like one." I'm not a fan of zodiac. Occasionally I read these columns for fun. A friend of mine used to stretch out her creativity to finish her weekly zodiac column in a newspaper, so I always doubt whether I can trust what it says in the newspaper. I was surprised more people mentioned to me how they describe their personalities with their signs of zodiac: I'm a Librian and I'm a naturally born lover of beauty and elegance. I'm a Piscean, I love living in a big space and I am creative. My partner and I are both Aquarians. That creates simple problems sometimes, like we couldn't make up what we eat at a restaurant and we start to quarrel over the choice of food. Maybe zodiac does give some hints of the personality traits of a person, just like some academic researchers try to research on the personality of someone being the eldest in the family or the only s...

He is young, energetic and open a new world to me. It's like a breath of fresh air in a crowded city full of skyscrappers. I got to know many pop songs that I'd never heard. Goyte's hit song, "Somebody I'm used to know" was the first song he introduced to me. The video is brilliant and the lyrics touch the emotion of heart-broken couples. "...So when we found that we could not make sense Well you said that we would still be friends But I'll admit that I was glad it was over But you didn't have to cut me off Make out like it never happened and that we were nothing And I don't even need your love But you treat me like a stranger and that feels so rough No you didn't have to stoop so low Have your friends collect your records and then change your number I guess that I don't need that though Now you're just somebody that I used to know..." Things can change overnight. We said we could still be friends. I thought he still en...

We sometimes envy people who have good friends, a happy family and lovely children. How could people be so lucky, spending wonderful time with their loved ones. One day, a married guy told me his wife has mental problem but refuses to have medications that tarnish their marriage. He has become an unhappy man despite the success in his career. Another man tells me a story of living in an island where he feels distant from his friends but he stays there because of his daughter. Today, a promising young girl feels lonely and cannot sleep when she's facing the lost of her loved one and maybe more. We bear the imperfection in life by every means. Can we save the "positive energy" and "happiness" in life to offset all the loneliness and unhappiness that we might feel. It's like a woman who forgets all about her career when seeing her lovely daughter grow day by day. Spending time with someone whom I care, no matter how short the time is, makes me feel no reg...

A lot of people care about hair. Losing threads of hair can make us worried or even panic for affecting our great looks! Many bald men actually look good but people with thin hairs need strong esteem to feel confident in their social or work life. It is not until my friend told me that it's not the look that matters but the lost of the "thermal regulation" function does. No wonder she looks for comfortable caps that are not too tight or too loose, so that she can wear it asleep and won't catch a cold. Then I realize my dad does wear a cap all the time when walking around. But he's old and I couldn't relate this to the importance of "keeping warm" in his head. For men, a baseball cap is good enough. I'm longing to see my friend with her wig on but it's more important for her to recover and gain the energy again. After all, hair is just a small matter as compared with health.

Harbin, located in the north-eastern part of China, still reminds me its tragic moments during the Japanese occupancy, especially the inhuman chemical and biological tests on humans. It is also a vast area where the Russians fought against the Japanese for its ambitious expansion plan. Nevertheless, many old buildings in the city are full of historical heritage, including St Sophia Cathedral. This magnificent structures are one of the symbols in Harbin and was built 100 years ago. I walked around the cathedral, the brick looks impeccable. I sense tranquility in its surroundings despite that it is a popular place for families or couples to hang out. The dome top is so unique that makes me feel I were in Russia. Sadly I didn't have a chance to look inside the cathedral as it's turned to be a so-called museum. Cathedrals and churches are the place for people to pray and admire. They should be always open to everyone including Catholics or atheists. Why asking people to...

It's a 6-day trip but I felt like I was on the road for over 2 weeks as there was a long drive almost every day. I missed home on day 5 since I was sick of changing hotels every day and tried to struggle with unfamiliar beds for a good sleep. The scenery is amazing that can compensate the sleep that I lost, but the early morning calls just stirred up my sleep schedule and ruined my happy mood. Who wants to wake up at 4am in the morning? We didn't wake up for sunrise but simply tried to have an early start driving back to a bigger city and do a lot of sightseeing in a day. That triggered another thought - I shouldn't join a group tour in my next trip. Travel should be more relaxed with good sleep and no crazy schedule. At 10:30pm on day 5, I was lying on a comfortable bed in a 5-star hotel, thinking that I should have a wonderful sleep that night. Sadly, I was just crying and feeling heart broken which I didn't feel for a long time. The hurtful feeling shall sub...

I read a fascinating story about Tel Aviv. The more I think about it, the more I realize the story can happen in any big city in the world. Young people give up everything to go to New York or London as the tolerance level is higher and there are more opportunities. One day they might go for love than chasing their dreams and move back to New Jersey or the suburbs, raising kids. Hong Kong is rather small, on the contrary, no one wants to move to the New Territories to raise a family. Therefore, more couples just give up the thought to have kids.

Habits are part of my life, or else I feel I don't live life to the fullest, idling at home all the time. It's a great feeling to sweat a bit after an aerobic class, or see great paintings of Picasso on a Saturday afternoon. It just happens that you've found a new "habit" that doesn't fit in your schedule and you try to figure out what you gonna reschedule everything. But changes can't be made in a day and the new "habit" is tired of waiting to be "fit" in with other habits. What can I do? Should I give this new habit another chance to fit in? Or should I give up all of my other habits? I hope the new "habit" can be more understanding and more accommodating.

Obviously I missed out the trendy cosmetic products that make use of the secreted fluids of snails. Two girls who used such products did not find it "gross" but effectively making their skin look better. That led to my little research about these "snail" products . Does it smell bad? Does it look like dirty green? It's totally opposite. The cream is gold in color, according to what my friend described. Nothing unpleasant does it smell.  While I looked at the girls in dismay and shock, I did some internet research to verify the myth of these beauty products. It is interesting that there are many patents related to the use of snails' fluids in the skincare area. Scientifically, a research paper talked about the use of "snail therapy" started in the age of Hippocrates , the father of Western medicine. There were records of the application of "snail diet", "snail paste" as well as "snail syrup" for a number of disease...

The movie "Hop" is about a man who wants to be "the Easter Bunny, delivering chocolate eggs to good children, whilst the "Easter Bunny" dreams of being a drummer in a band. Despite that I was feeling unwell during Easter holidays because of the gastroenteritis, I shared my chocolate gifts with my colleague in this celebratory occasion, of course, before and after I became sick. I enjoy "hunting" for chocolate bunnies during Easter, but why chocolate bunnies are related to the resurrection of Jess Christ? It was said that chocolate Easter eggs were originated in the early 19th Century in Europe. Rabbis and hares are a symbol of fertility, and at the same time, eggs are considered "the seed of life". That's how chocolate eggs are associated with Easter celebrations. Learn more about how chocolate eggs were invented and evolved to more fancy choices today.

She is my favorite kind of pets. If I have a bigger apartment one day, I'd probably bring her home and cuddle with her. She can be a bit cool, but she is elegant and can make life more delightful.  Last but not the least, she cries less. 

The plot is nothing new but it touches people's hearts. Many a time we love someone but we end up not spending our life together. Do we regret it? Yes. One Day depicts how complicated relationship can be. You like someone but you stay as his best friend. You are alone and you are dating someone whom you don't like and feel like being stuck. You found someone who are as gorgeous and charming as you have dreamt of, but you chose your best friend instead of the "charming prince. Then you ponder whether you will have a happy ending. It is so cliche. Life is never easy and we don't always live ever after. Tragedy just happens and smashes  the family into pieces. We all need blessings to live a more happy life with love.

Smokers are addicted to nicotine, the physical movement of holding a cigarette, or puffing a smoke ring. Women are into buying Chanel handbags or Gucci shoes, even when they have wiped all the credit cards with the maximum credit limits. Internet and computers eat up over 10 hours of our time every day. Is that an addiction? Yes.  What's else we can't resist in our lives? A loving feeling, a warm hug, a kiss and a smile from someone you love.  No matter how intelligent, how smart we are, it seems like we might have any type of addictions. Subconsciously we are programmed to love something that make us feel good. It gradually has become a "habit" and eventually an "addiction" that is out of our control.  Today, I heard a story about a young girl who is in her early thirties. Her goal is to look perfect with fairer skin, "golden-ratio proportions of the ideal face" and a slimmer body. It's not surprisingly to learn how much medical ...

How do you feel if such a giant elephant stands in front of you? I saw some lovely baby elephants in Nepal before, but I was stunned and found myself out of words to describe this frozen baby mammoth. It was found by the sons of the reindeer herder in 2007. It lied on a river bank in northern part of Russia where the winter is very extreme. Visit the  exhibition  if you happen to travel to Hong Kong

Do you agree that modern women do "not always feel comfortable being in a powerful position in the workplace", so that they have "disparate fantasies of submission"? The cover story of Newsweek "The fantasy life of working women" seemed to stir up storms of attack from bloggers for a statement like this.  I don't know if it's a good idea to "group" a few movies and erotic books and say that it is a phenomenon. I will say that people are more open minded and adventurous in general.  I wonder if someone can call it a trend? 

Can we learn from mistakes and become smarter? I'm sure we do reckon some stupid things we did over time and try the best we work. Nevertheless, we seemed to be programmed to have certain preferences and personalities that we are unable to make a "complete makeover". An university professor always asked us to reflect on what we have learnt from reading some books and journals. I feel like I should sit down and reflect more on what I have encountered in life, no matter it is a good or bad thing.