Thoughts beyond my life & my travel - Bel

People tend not to eat the skin of an apple or cut out the crust of the bread loaf nowadays. I find it not necessary and more like a waste of food. My friend introduced me these tiny tangerines from Japan where I am supposed to eat the skin as well. I must admit that it's a bit weird to eat the whole thing, but I feel less "guilty" when I eat the 2nd one. Actually, there is a Japanese version of bananas that you can eat the whole thing including skin. It's almost like $100 each, I will guess it's more a weird feeling of having the "skin-included" banana in your meal, even though it's eatable.  Our brain is programmed with habits, especially eating habits and preference.   

  It's only late March that many HKers need to turn on the AC and fan apart from the dehumidifier. The air is a bit stuffy, even with some wind, you still feel it's damp wind. Basically I have the dehumidifier and fan on for drying my laundry and floor dry after a cleaning session.  Styling for my hair is quite difficult. I blow it dry. My thin hair still sticks to my face. I could simply call it a "bad hair day".  Well, the good thing is that we can forsee the beaches will open soon as the hot weather helps fight the virus. I also look forward to the Easter holidays for a good break. 

Dim sum usually comes with 4 pieces, but nowadays you could order 1 piece of siu mai or shrimp dumpling as the max number of people gathering was restricted to two only. Well, the price for one can sound a bit steep, somehow the restaurant manages to make it more like a more luxurious version. If you go to the Chinese restaurant with one friend only, you can now manage to try a few more dishes because of the flexibility to order. Not a bad thing.  Business mind evolves over time to adapt to restrictions and people's changes of taste. 

How is the family doing when different people have diverging political views? Jojo Rabbit tells a very good story about it. They try to advocate their ideals in a non-conflicting ways. Mom lets the son join the youth propaganda training, but does her own propaganda to "free Germany".  The son finds out the secret of his mom but doesn't report it to the authority; on the contrary, gradually embrace it, and even becomes the friend of the Jewish girl.  In real life, people joined a political party, and might shift to another after a few years. It might reflect how their mindsets have been changing, or means that they are seeking another path that fits with goals and career development.  Is that a harmonious choice? Not necessary. We do compromise to make life happier in certain ways.  Jojo Rabbit is a movie about war? Not exactly, somehow the ending with David Bowie music just makes it happier and edgier.  Have a good weekend.  

When being guided to meditate, I am always asked to imagine myself in a comfortable zone, like feeling the sun warming up my body, or being a scenic beach enjoying a view. When I hike today, I'm hoping to take a picture of the blue sky that aids my meditation exercises. The weather truly gets better today, but not to the extent of the blue sky that I'm looking for. I will bear it in mind and hope to get the ideal picture for thoughts and meditation.   

At the time of the pandemic, our mind is congested with COVID news every day and many stresses. My fitness routine is being interrupted, hanging out with friends are also not quite possible. Apart from Chinese medicine, I came for meditation to create head space in my mind.  Our body and mindsets are amazing. Endorphins created by exercises make our body feel better, and spending time with people also create positive feelings. Now, the technique of breathing, being grateful also help the mind more focused, relaxed every now and then.  I wanna thank the special moment my brother and I visited my parents' resting place again, feeling blessed by my parents and feeling better to reconnect with my brother a little bit more.   

Do you like crisps but look for something healthier? This crispy crackers made of chia seeds, flax seed powder, sesame seeds and assorted nuts are a perfect choice for mid-morning snack. I usually do not have the patience of spending hours for baking, but this thin crisp takes only a few minutes to mix all these ingredients with water, then you add on honey or salt, and lay it out for baking half an hour. It's ready to serve and so delicious.  Honestly, this protein-rich and fibre-rich cracker does not add any guilty feelings when you have it during a mid-day break. Embrace it with its anti-oxidant content as well many nuts as well.  Bon appetite.   

  There is a surge of satay beef fans who look for good HK-style cafes serving satay beef noodle in soup. I like satay beef; somehow I prefer satay beef with vermicelli as one of my favourite comfort foods. Having this pot with rice is just perfect, especially in winter. I love the flavour, I love the tender beef, I like the onions and vegetables soaked with satay sauce and the vermicelli is simply a perfect match with the beef and rice.  Surprisingly I never bother to learn how to cook it at home as it is served better with a clay pot to make it more flavourable and warm. 

It isn't a normal rocky hole. Situated by the sea, it is probably formed by sea erosion. It's at least 2.5 - 3m high, and looks amazing from inside the hole. The top view is even more stunning. On a lazy weekday, you can sit under the arch and watch the water gently waving in, obviously calming your mind. 

  Two hours from where I live, Oh la la, this is the coastal area where Hongkongers feel proud of. This is supposed to be a protection region but somehow it has become a popular hiking spot as the roads are so flat and family friendly that I even saw the fashion filming on site the other day.  The benefit of living in Hong Kong is that it's never too far to go to a shop, or go to a certain place even though people complaint certain places are out of the way. I realised that it took me less time to have my iPad fixed in the shop rather than spending over 1.5 hours on the phone for trying to get it fixed but without success. 

Isn't it such a joy to see doggies jumping around so freely under the care of their owner? They seem to understand what the owner said and reacted like a human being. They are adorable, amiable and can be a very good companion. One day, I might get a pet to spend time with me, but more likely a cat than a dog. I will probably enjoy seeing her to jump up and down here and there, and then sit on my lap for a minute or two.   

The scent of flowers helps calm me down tonight, and I use a very positive approach just to cheer my friend up. I realise that it also makes me happy.   Positive energy - we need you boost ourselves when travelling is still difficult. Because of the ultra-encouraging motive taken by the Icelanic government for setting up the Eurovision museum in the small town "Husavik" and the super-fun video campaign, we've made something small happen!  "Husavik" is now officially being nominated to compete for the Best Original Song at the 93rd Academy Awards.   

I felt so warm in a winter in London when I walked in Tate Modern Museum. This sun is ridiculously so close, so big. It's so unreal, not a typical sun. I happened to watch the latest documentary on Netflix - Abstract: The art of design, in which the artist of this weather project Olafur Eliasson explained the power of "yellow". Then I realised that it's the yellow colour that gave me the warmth and calmness. I happily lied down on the floor with my friend, enjoying the sun. I could stay there for hours. "Is that modern art?" I was thinking at the time. It's not that abstract to be unapproachable. Contemporary art can be penetrating our normal life, and forms part of our daily experience.  The online art experience can never be as striking as the physical one. When can I go to Tate Modern or a museum abroad again?   

So many artists and fans were so disappointed when Eurovision 2020 was cancelled. Many artists felt they had a shot, but some lost their chances. Lithuania is strong, Iceland is excellent. Switzerland one has an emotional song. Bulgaria has great potentials. Russia is fun and entertaining.  Eurovision 2021 is definitely a "go". With more and more songs revealed, many artists are proved to be "not a one song" artist. Their creative juices still flow. I feel stunned with the Roop 's new song, and amazed with Gjon's one . Even I found Macedonia 's got a better song. Everyone seems to gain great strength and become stronger this year.  I can't wait for the Iceland's song. 😏 Gjon'  

The pandemic spreads through the Central and Western district this time. When I walked through this shopping mall last Friday, you feel everything is normal and nothing has happened. Nice decoration is like a therapy to calm down our anxiety and create cheerful feeling. Why do women like to buy flowers home from time to time. It's almost like shopping therapy that adds "feel good factor" in my life.   

It is not only me who tried to chill a bit when spending more time at home; therefore muscles and tendons are a bit more tightened than usual. In the old days, I liked to go to the massage parlour on and off to loosen the muscles. Since the number of COVID cases are going up and down and nobody could ensure anywhere is safe, I opt for a massage cushion instead. It is wireless, it looks more modern than the old gadget, and can be a part of the furniture pieces, not awkward at all😆.    

Satay beef has become a big hit all in a sudden. People joined a particular fan group on social media, just for tracking down good restaurants to try out satay beef with noodle. Company canteens do also include this dish in its menu as it's become so famous. I could also see a frozen pack of satay beef with noodle in the supermarket, too.  Guess what? Here's the restaurant's version of the satay beef with noodle that I ordered the other day.  I might try to cook it at home during the holidays.   

I organized an online zumba class for children with special needs. The teacher is a very pleasant and cheerful person. The young children may not be able to follow all the dance movements, but they should all feel the warmth of this charming yet energetic teacher. The 45-minute class was a lot of fun, you could still feel the connection and care among the teacher and the young participants. It's almost like having the "sun" around you in the afternoon. Your mind and body balance is simply being recharged. Love this great afternoon. Look forward to the Friday session.   

How to make events work at the time of COVID? A flock of event organisers go online to host different kinds of events to get things moving. Is that the best solution? It can be if the content is well-planned and interesting and they've found a way to attract people and draw their attention.  I recently joined a few yoga and fitness classes. Actually the instructors are way better than those who taught in a physical class. I just wonder if I could have the same yoga instructor if I came to a gym for a class one day.  Another amazing things happened in a public park nearby. The amazing flower show just turned up in my neighbourhood so close that it's almost like my little private garden, full of flowers in vibrant colours. We can't resist their charms and simply could only smile. It cheers us up in the rainy damp weather.    

You live in a small town, somehow an ordinary man and woman in the town have become famous and drew enormous international attention in a singing contest. How proud you feel about their success and achievement?  Now the "villagers" decided to launch a campaign to promote the song " Húsavík" to be included in this year's Oscars shortlist for Best Original Song. Not only they got the support from the children, the fisherwoman, and also elves, will they make it?  I just admire their courage and positive vibes for getting together to fight for a spot. The announcement will be made on 15 March. 

The Festival da Cancao result was really surprising that either Neev or Carolina or Karetus and  Romeu Bairos  won. They have been the top of the lists by bloggers and fans.  Neev's song is very touching, his performance was good but his connection with audience was lacking. He was simply too focused on singing and looking down the piano. The stage setting looked very much like Duncan Laurence but lacked depth and creativity. I loved the edgy image of Carolina and her song sounded soothing, just not the type of Eurovision song.  I actually really like Saudade by Karetus and Romeu Bairos . In the Semi-final 1, Romeu looked nervous, lacked the energy. Many people gave them honest feedback. They truly listened with stronger presence on the stage. Romeu looked more confident with more body movement that the beat of the song should deliver. The lyrics was a bit weak. Overall, I'm content with it for their creativity and sound arrangement. Well done!  

The first time I met squirrel was in Stanley Park in Vancouver. I enjoyed the tranquil, lovely environment even though it's a fabricated nature. They move so freely from trees to trees. It seems like they are so carefree that they just focus on finding food, enjoying life and nothing else. Their slim, fit body enables them to move around so effortlessly. No diet plan needed, no exercise plan needed. What else you are still looking for with an able-bodied and freedom. Rest and chilled maybe? 😀