along the journey

久違了

2012-01-08T08:19:00.000-08:00

我猜我已經超過二十五年沒踏足虎豹別墅吧！
對於它的印象只停留在那血淋淋很血腥的十八層地獄展館，
小小的心靈只能記住的就只有那些恐怖畫面。
隔了那麼多年的再次到訪，心中唏噓非常。
常年失修的落魄畫面很難讓人跟一向光鮮的新加坡扯在一块。
還是那句：該保留的，一定要好好保留，美好的，才得以沿續。
胡文虎先生為了記念自己逝世的胞弟而建成的虎豹別墅，
只是這一分心意就讓人多麼動容。
這一次，停留在我心上的將是這一份有情有義的感動畫面。

Tonight We Are Young

2012-01-04T20:16:00.000-08:00

Goosebumps.
More and more goosebumps.

"Tonight
We are young
So let's set the world on fire
We can burn brighter
Than the sun"

The Priceless Moment

2012-01-04T19:43:00.000-08:00

I was at my favorite cafe again, enjoying my read on my newly discovered magazine called Brownbook from the Middle East. Then came the music of Suede, that moment...is priceless.

Trash
Maybe maybe it's the clothes we wear
The tasteless bracelets and the dye in our hair
Maybe it's our kookiness
Or maybe maybe it's our nowhere towns
Our nothing places and our cellophane sounds
Maybe it's our looseness
But we're trash you and me
We're the litter on the breeze
We're the lovers on the streets
Just trash me and you
It's in everything we do
It's in everything we do...
Maybe maybe it's the things we say,
The words we've heard and the music we play,
Maybe it's our cheapness,
Or maybe, maybe it's the times we've had,
The lazy days and the crazes and the fads,
Maybe it's our sweetness,
But we're trash, you and me,
We're the litter on the breeze,
We're the lovers on the street,
Just trash, me and you,
It's in everything we do,
It's in everything we do...

Serendah

2012-01-01T08:51:00.000-08:00

Come here when you are bored in KL.
Serendah

Hello Mr.Ickle, Mr.Lardee, Mr.Spade & Mr.Satchel

2011-12-31T23:29:00.000-08:00

My lovely Ickle and Lardee were playing hide and seek inside the lovely Jack Spade, and the lovely Jack Spade was hiding inside the lovely Cambridge Satchel with my initials engraved on it.
What a lovely pressies!

Make Yourself At Home

2011-12-31T22:53:00.000-08:00

Stay here when next time you are in KL.
Tenggiri

Cafe Hopping (27): Ben's Independent Grocer

2011-12-31T21:20:00.000-08:00

Ben's Independent Grocer
Ambiance: 4/5
Food: 4/5 (the pizzas are really well made with all fresh ingredients, only about RM19 per pizza. Pizzeria L'Operetta should really learn from them!)
Coffee: 3.5/5

Ben's Independent Grocer is definitely where good taste and good food meets. They are very serious about their branding, the standard of food and the selections of goods. You can seriously feel it with all the details and attentions given from their good services and the food that's presented to you.

I wish there's a shop like that in Singapore too.

36

2011-12-31T20:35:00.000-08:00

There's something in me desperately waiting for a change.
Which I'm not sure what will it be.

A better self, I suppose.

Happy Birthday.

我的吉隆坡(5)－異國風情

2011-12-31T01:40:00.000-08:00

鬧市裡遇見土耳其。

我的吉隆坡(4)－味道

2011-12-31T01:38:00.000-08:00

湯面裡夾陳著我殘留青葱的味道。

我的吉隆坡(3)－救市主

2011-12-30T20:10:00.000-08:00

因為要擴建地鐵而面臨被拆的蘇丹街的新聞在城中鬧得沸沸騰騰。
政府堅持不改道的愚昧決定只是再次肯定了執政者的不盡人情與短窄無能的視野。
百年歷史即將被抹去，盡管人民一再請願。
愚者當政，國家將亡。
哀哉。

我的吉隆坡(2)－晃眼百年過

2011-12-30T09:25:00.000-08:00

媽媽小時候就讀Convent Girl School，學校對面就是Saint John Boy School了。
兩所學校所處之地乃是鬧市中的一片淨土，四周被山與教堂環抱著，非常寧靜。
百多年的建築雖然老態盡顯，但依然昂首觀望世俗變遷。

我的吉隆坡(1)－眼角上的痕

2011-12-30T09:18:00.000-08:00

每一次在茨廠街游走，心中總是無限唏噓。
感嘆所有的景物尚在，人事已非。
時間靜悄悄地在眼角上滑過，形成了幾道痕。
大眾書局，大書局，賣雜貨的uncle的店，錦倫泰等等等等都經已不在了，
所剩下的，又還能撐多久呢？

My Boy

2011-12-30T08:27:00.000-08:00

When I thought I'm all ready to welcome my 36th birthday in a peaceful mind, Noody came to me with skin problems. And this time, a serious one. He has all the symptoms of having dog's depression, separation anxiety to be more precise. He shreds a lot, he chews his skin until you can see blood. He sleeps a lot and he doesn't show interest in things.

It all happened just a week ago i sent him to his favourite place—Christopher's house. There is where he can play whole day with other dogs. Happily playing til they fall asleep, Christopher said, sometimes he can even hear them snoring.

After they departed, all the symptoms showed.

I hope one day I could stop worrying for him, my little boy.

Merry Xmas

2011-12-21T19:00:00.001-08:00

I will be home for Xmas.
Merry Xmas to all the one I love.

Cafe Hopping (26): Pizzeria L'Operetta

2011-12-21T09:04:00.000-08:00

Pizzeria L'Operetta
Ambiance: 2/5
Food: -10/5
Coffee: not sure

Pizza with all FROZEN ingredients!

The first thing that caught our eyes when we passed by this Pizzeria was their so called- imported legendary Vera wood-fired oven. So, we went on to give it a try on a Wednesday night, expecting to experience some real taste from Italy.

We ordered 3 pizzas, Seafood, Parma Ham and a Mushroom + Ham for the four of us to share.

First came the Seafood, when the pizza arrived on our face. It's obvious enough that the prawns and squids are all from the frozen pack. If you do not mind paying $30 for a pizza with all the FROZEN ingredients, then I guess it doesn't bother you at all. But I mind. We went all the way to the restaurant end up chewing on rubbery and tasteless prawns and squids. Disaster!

Then came the Parma Ham Pizza which is still being acceptable as the Parma Ham are all imported, how wrong can it be? So, that was ok for my palette.

Then came the Mushroomm + Ham one, another disaster! The mushroom are from the canned mushroom, and it's not even the good quality one they are using. If they think they are able to fool their customers, they are WRONG!

We couldn't help but noticing the restaurant's principle being printed on a big board over the cashier area, says "We only use the FRESHEST ingredients in all our food!"

F.R.E.S.H.E.S.T YOUR XXX!!!!!!!!!!

The essences of Italian food is all about using the freshest ingredients, bringing out the original taste of the ingredients, at L'Operetta, they DON'T!In order to keep your customers from coming back, please RESPECT YOUR FOOD AND YOUR CUSTOMERS, as I already feel cheated paying for such amount for such rubbish food.

Food Hopping (25): The Plain

2011-12-21T09:01:00.000-08:00

The Plain
Ambiance: 3.5/5
Food: not sure
Coffee: 3/5

Food Hopping (24): Jewel Cafe and Kohi Cafe

2011-12-21T08:57:00.000-08:00

Jewel Cafe & Kohi Cafe
Ambiance: 3/5 (for both, it's just next to each others)
Food: not sure
Coffee: 2/5 (for both as well)

媽媽的眼睛

2011-12-20T23:08:00.000-08:00

很喜歡卻幾乎淡忘了的一首兒歌。Thanks Zee Avi for the cover in a recent gig.

媽媽的眼睛
作詞：曾怡軒作曲：林丙寅

美麗的美麗的天空裡
出來了光亮的小星星
好像是我媽媽慈愛的眼睛

美麗的美麗的天空裡
出來了光亮的小星星
好像是我媽媽慈愛的眼睛

媽媽的眼睛我最喜愛
常常希望我做個好小孩
媽媽的眼睛我最喜愛

Another Happy Day Out for Noody

2011-12-11T05:58:00.000-08:00

Even knowing it would rain today, we still brought Noody to Sentosa as planned. Now he's snoring loudly at the corner, I guess he must be dreaming about catching the frisbee in the water, again and again.

Food Hopping (23): Drips Cafe & Bakery

2011-12-11T05:32:00.000-08:00

Drips Cafe & Bakery
Ambiance: 2.5/5
Food: 3/5
Coffee: 3/5
Music: Big suck!

过年咯！彤彤与小小的过年手册

2011-12-08T22:25:00.000-08:00

Publisher Tan Sheau Yun's deep interest in Chinese culture and her talent for marrying the old with the new brought about this collaborative effort between an educator, designer and illustrator to produce the first of a planned series of children's books.

Their objective is to create interests and awareness amongst children of their rich Chinese cultural heritage through the celebration of Chinese festivals.

The first book is entitled "过年咯！彤彤与小小的过年手册 (It's New Year! Tong Tong & Xiao Xiao's Chinese New Year Handbook)". The story unfolds as the protagonists, 10-year-old Tong Tong and Xiao Xiao, prepare for Chinese New Year, right up to the 15th day of the first lunar month. Through the process children will learn about lesser known myths and folklore related to Chinese New Year, its origins, customs, practices, dos' and don'ts. Children will also get to explore and express themselves with games and activities interspersed in the book.

Author Chua Joo Suan is a passionate educator and her unflinching mission is to bridge the gap of cultural education amongst the young.

Designer Koo Chee Kin is a multi-talented freelancer who has written and styled for major magazines. His creative skills extend to his passion for food and travel.

Illustrator Kuan Teck Harn is an accomplished artist in the advertising and design industries. His whimsical style gave life to this project.

彤彤友谊商店出版《过年咯！彤彤与小小的过年手册》

有感于周围的小朋友和青少年对传统的认识越来越贫乏，几个童心未泯的大朋友凑在一块儿，在国家文物局的支持下，出版了一本寓教于乐的过年手册。

从过年前的准备工作一直到元宵节，手册都做了图文并茂的介绍，还加插了不同的活动如：挥春、剪纸、纸娃娃等，让小朋友读得愉快、学得愉快、玩得愉快！

出品人陈筱云：经营服饰店，专卖旗袍，热爱中华文化。

作者蔡如璇：教育工作者，深信学习应该是快乐的。

绘图Kuanth：资深创意人，画风多变，创作多元。

设计Ck Koo：自由造型师，多才多艺，创意十足。

This publication is supported under the National Heritage Board's Heritage Industry Incentive Programme (Hi2P).

This book is available at Tong Tong Friendship Store, 100 Beach Road, #01-04/05 Shaw Towers (Tel: 6396 3887) and other good book stores.

TongTong AngPow

2011-12-08T08:05:00.000-08:00

These Angpow set that I designed/illustrated for TongTong Friendship Store are finally here. It's cute and fun to play with. I'm like a very proud parent trying to show them all to the world.

Find out more here http://www.kuanth.com/#2416853/TongTong-AngPow

What's your new year resolution?

2011-12-06T22:43:00.000-08:00

Audrey & Pippin

2011-12-06T09:06:00.000-08:00

I would love to keep one too.

花開。花謝

2011-12-04T07:35:00.000-08:00

新的一年又將近，不到一個月時間我將滿三十六。
我把三年的時光給了Caramel，
總算把十八歲時的夢想給實現了，給結束了，給體驗了。
花開了，綻放了，凋謝了。
我，依然盛放。

HY五十大壽

2011-12-03T08:22:00.000-08:00

差不多每一年我們都會到訪JB為老友慶生。
老友心地善良為人單純，希望她諸事順利，找到幸褔。

Food Hopping (22): Canoodling

2011-12-02T08:34:00.000-08:00

Canoodling
Ambiance: 3.5/5
Food: 3.5/5 (Interesting choice of noodles, Thai/Chinese/Malay/Fusion but not confusion.)
Drinks: 3/5

Food Hopping (21): Canopy

2011-12-02T08:33:00.000-08:00

Canopy
Ambiance: 3.5/5
Food: 3.5/5 (I love BIG breakfast!!! The bigger the BETTER!)
Drinks: 3/5

Food Hopping (20): Restore Cafe

2011-12-02T08:30:00.000-08:00

Restore Cafe
Ambiance: 3.5/5
Food: 3.5/5 (The waffles is not bad, maybe because it's freshly made?)
Coffee: 3/5

Food Hopping (19): Delicious

2011-12-02T08:27:00.000-08:00

Delicious
Ambiance: 3/5
Food: 3/5 (Everything is fine but not memorable.)
Drinks: 3/5

Food Hopping (18): WonderMilk Cafe

2011-12-02T08:26:00.000-08:00

Wondermilk
Ambiance: 4/5
Food: not sure
Drinks: 4/5(Ice crushed Cucumber-Lime soda is a thirst quencher for hot days.)

Food Hopping (17): Loysel's Toy

2011-12-02T08:22:00.000-08:00

Loysel's Toy
Ambiance: 3.5/5
Food: 2.5/5 (Not much of selections)
Coffee: 3.5/5

Food Hopping (16): Piedra Negra

2011-12-02T08:20:00.000-08:00

Piedra Negra
Ambiance: 3/5
Food: 4/5 (I love love Mexican food, more Guacamole please!)
Drinks: 3.5/5

Food Hopping (15): Italiannies

2011-12-02T07:48:00.000-08:00

Italiannies
Ambiance: 3.5/5
Food: 3.5/5 (Yummy tomato based seafood soup to die for, but please use FRESH prawn please)
Drinks: 3/5

Food Hopping (14): PigeonHole Cafe

2011-12-02T07:42:00.000-08:00

Pigeonhole Cafe
Ambiance: 3/5
Food: not sure
Drinks: 3/5 (Nothing memorable.)

Penne Al Gorgonzola

2011-12-02T06:51:00.000-08:00

Bruno的Penne Al Gorgonzola (Penne with Gorgonzola Cheese, Chicken, Zucchini in Cream Sauce)真的好吃得想瘋掉。如果你喜歡cheese,你會愛死這盤東西。

Food Hopping (13): Bar84

2011-12-01T21:48:00.000-08:00

Bar84
Ambiance: 4/5
Food: 2/5
Drinks: 4/5 (amazing magic performance, expensive drinks)

Food Hopping (12): Maison Ikkoku

2011-12-01T21:46:00.000-08:00

Maison Ikkoku
Ambiance: 4.5/5 (love this little cafe)
Food: 3/5
Coffee: 4/5

Food Hopping (11): Smitten Cafe

2011-12-01T21:34:00.000-08:00

Smitten Cafe
Ambiance: 4/5
Food: 4/5 (If judging from the macaroons, I will give them 4/5, but the macaroon was out sourced from ETA Sweets.)
Coffee: 3.5/5

Food Hopping (10): Brunetti

2011-12-01T21:33:00.000-08:00

Brunetti
Ambiance: 4/5
Food: 2.5/5 (Mountain of varieties, everything is just acceptable but not fantastic. Not as good as it looks.)
Coffee: 3/5

Nice bags

2011-12-01T08:52:00.001-08:00

I like.

蛋糕

2011-11-30T21:15:00.000-08:00

小時後有蛋糕吃絕對不是普遍的一件事。
誰誰生日結婚擺壽方能吃上一兩片。
雖然媽媽有時也會烘個奶油蛋糕，
然後我們都會雀悅地圍著那UFO型的烘爐，
看著蛋糕慢慢成型。
蛋糕發出的誘人蛋香味，還有油而不膩的奶油，只是淨吃就很可口了。
這種上面塗了厚厚各種顏色的奶油懷舊蛋糕，
一直都是我的最愛。
吃蛋糕，奶油就應該是奶油才夠滋味。

Post Caramel Life

2011-11-30T08:41:00.000-08:00

Caramel結業後，時間下得最多的就是修身了。
除了游泳跑步外，就是我的no carbo diet了。
每個星期就只有星期天可以大吃大喝，進補些維他命，吃些面啊飯啊之類的。
可能有人覺得我是在用另一種方式掩飾傷感，
我並不。
人生苦短啊，我只希望能即時行樂，積極生活。

難道我不愛Caramel?

2011-11-16T00:41:00.000-08:00

好詭異，我竟然絲毫不覺傷感。

我比想像中放得開

2011-11-10T07:21:00.000-08:00

Caramel關了。
我以為我會很失落，
我以為我情緒波動會很大，
我以為我會觸景傷情，
但我都沒有。
只是那天做最后一次settlement時眼淚在眼眶裡打滾，
然后淚水就往肚子裡吞了。
也許真的年紀大了，比以前放得開。
一切都是過往雲煙，會過去的。
我得到的，比失去的還要多，那就有賺了。
得到那麼多的愛與支持，
一班忠實的顧客，
一群膽肝相照的好幫手，
一堆隨傳隨到的好朋友，
家人默默支持地為我撐腰，
夫復何求？

Last day of Caramel

2011-11-08T01:29:00.000-08:00

溜

2011-11-04T10:44:00.000-07:00

慢慢地靜靜地，
從指縫裡溜走了。
我堅持了那麼久的夢。

一天

2011-11-04T10:13:00.000-07:00

明天就是最后一天了，
很多人都在問我們為什麼要把店關掉，
很多人說可惜啊，很多人說不捨。
也許在這個時候退下，記憶才是美好的。
以后也許有人會想起，這是間多麼有歡笑，
多麼有人情味，多麼溫暖的一個地方啊。
感謝所有給過我們愛與支持的人，
希望能在你心中留下的一切，
都是美好的。

兩天

2011-11-03T10:16:00.000-07:00

這幾天顧客都蜂湧而來，生意好得不得了。
如果平常都是這樣，就不會以這樣的方式結束了。
現在都太遲了。

三天

2011-11-01T19:53:00.000-07:00

我的Caramel只剩下三天了。
天啊！怎麼不難過呢？

Highlight of the Day

2011-10-31T20:28:00.000-07:00

One of my staff's mum came down to Caramel today out of our surprises just to thank CK (and us) for being such a wonderful boss/bosses that her daughter has such a great working experiences in Caramel. It's such an honor.

And I'm proud!

RIP Caramel

2011-10-30T22:26:00.000-07:00

Good thing has finally come to an end.
Mixed emotion, going extreme.

Inspirational

2011-10-22T22:35:00.000-07:00

Body art can never be any better.
Rick Genest aka Zombie Boy.

天啊！為什麼我那麼可愛！

2011-10-19T06:52:00.000-07:00

又可愛又討喜又活潑又有人緣又佻皮又得意又帥........

爸爸說

2011-10-13T10:03:00.000-07:00

今天腦海突然閃過爸爸曾經說過的一句話。
那時姐姐工作上受了些委曲，很沮喪。
爸看在眼裡，只說了一句，
“不用受氣，爸爸養你！”
多麼父愛滿溢，天塌下來有爸爸為你扛的一句話。
然後今天我就一直想念著爸爸。

Noody turns 7!

2011-10-09T06:58:00.000-07:00

We brought Noody to Sentosa to celebrate his 7th birthday today, he hasn't been THAT happy for so long. (Definition of Happy: Running and swimming the whole day, getting excited about food and surrounded by lot of dogs.) What a shame that I really don't know that my boy can swim pretty well, but I guess that's just their animal instinct. I shall just do this on a regular basis.
Happy Birthday my boy, thanks for the love and I love you always.
p/s: The photo below is Ninja, Noody's Xiao DiDi that I'm helping to foster.

Junior Master Chef

2011-09-24T05:36:00.000-07:00

This is such an inspiring show. At the age of 8-12, I don't remember myself knowing how to order a dish in a restaurant; I don't know what the difference between rare, medium well or well done. And all these young ones here are cooking a risotto, stewing a lamb, marinating a wild rabbit, baking a lemon and wildberries tart. And, I believe most of the kids here now, still don't know how to order a dish or cooking a pack of maggie noodle but busy playing games or attending endless of tuition classes most of the time. That's rather sad.

kuanth X Zouk X dr.Martens

2011-09-21T06:56:00.000-07:00

ZOUK X DR. MARTENS COLLABORATION
This October, Singapore’s nightlife Mecca Zouk has tied up exclusively with Dr. Martens to present a unique collection of the latter’s iconic1461 3-Eye shoe specially designed by 20 of the scene’s players,
trailblazers, creatives & thinkers alike in celebration of Zouk’s 20... glorious years of music, dance and culture and Dr. Martens’ #FIRST 1461 3-Eye Shoe Customization in Singapore.

In this union of two world-class lifestyle brands brought together through their mutual love for style, opening minds and pushing boundaries, each personality was given a pair of limited edition Dr.
Martens 1461 3-Eye shoe - with their signature stitching in green instead of the iconic yellow - on which they can express their feelings toward the internationally-renowned club, incorporating the Zouk
identity on their blank canvases with artistic freedom & creative liberation, thereby adding a quaint and personal touch to each design.

The footwear, together with photos shot by acclaimed photographer Ivanho Harlim, will then be exhibited in Zouk, a mini art gallery in itself on 7 October 2011 and will be auctioned off post-event from 8 to 25 October 2011, with all proceeds going to Zouk’s adopted charity for 2011: Make-A-Wish Foundation®.

Link for the auction as follows:
myworld.ebay.com.sg/zouksingapore

MOMO

2011-09-19T02:04:00.000-07:00

Momo is truly a survivor!
Momo只是被救回來的五只野狗中的其中一只，因為媽媽太弱不夠奶水來餵養它們。
Momo原本只能活到八月頭，因為沒人領養的話就得送去SPCA，通常結果只有一個。
Momo的兄弟姐妹們一早就很幸運地被領養了，只剩下她一個。
Momo摔過一大跤，醫生說內出血，也許救了小命一條，以後還是養不大，還叫我們要有心理准備。
但是Momo堅強地熬過了以上種種，終於被領養了，希望她能繼續當只樂天快樂活潑好動的狗狗。Momo非常聰明，很短的時間就學會了一些commands，而且她不是一只整天亂吠的小狗，只要你一個眼神，她就知道是時候閉嘴了。
p/s:我喜歡把Momo喚作MeiMei,因為我把她當作Noody的妹妹看待，而Noody是DiDi。Noody也許沒有很喜歡她，一大一小常常為了爭奪玩具而鬧翻天，但兄妹倆的互動可精彩了。如果我有自己的家，我一定把MeiMei留在身旁。

Food Hopping (9): Porta Porta

2011-09-16T23:54:00.000-07:00

Porta Porta
Ambiance: 3/5
Food: 2/5 (Starters were great 4/5, but the mains are disappointing)

Food Hopping (8): Café Hacienda

2011-09-16T23:47:00.000-07:00

Café Hacienda
Coffee: 3/5
Ambiance: 3/5
Dessert: 2.5/5

Food Hopping (7): Bruno's Pizzeria & Grill

2011-09-16T23:33:00.000-07:00

Bruno's Pizzeria & Grill
Ambiance: 3.5/5
Food: 4/5 (Truffle Risotto & Crabmeat Linguine are the must-try items)

Food Hopping (6): Limoncello

2011-09-16T23:25:00.000-07:00

Limoncello
Coffee: 2/5
Ambiance: 2/5
Food: 3/5 (Pizza 4.5/5)

Food Hopping (5): Real Food Organic Grocer & Cafe

2011-09-16T23:19:00.000-07:00

Real Food Organic Grocer & Cafe
Coffee: 0.5/5 (more like coffee flavored water)
Ambiance: 2.5/5
Food: Yet to find out

Food Hopping (4): Spruce

2011-09-16T23:11:00.000-07:00

Spruce
Coffee: 2/5
Ambiance: 2.5/5
Food: 1/5
Portion: Tiny

Food Hopping (3): Pique Nique

2011-09-16T22:22:00.000-07:00

Pique Nique
Coffee: Not sure
Ambiance: 3/5
Dessert: 1.5/5
Sugar Level: 10/5

Food Hopping (2): Orange Thimble

2011-09-16T22:09:00.000-07:00

Orange Thimble Cafe
Coffee: 2.5/5
Ambiance: 3/5
Food: 1/5
Portion: Tiny

Food Hopping (1): Forty Hand

2011-09-16T22:07:00.000-07:00

Forty Hand Cafe
Coffee: 4.5/5
Ambiance: 3/5
Food: Yet to find out

桌上的守護神

2011-09-11T09:59:00.000-07:00

鎰記

2011-09-11T09:35:00.000-07:00

說實在的，每次來鎰記吃的最主要都是吃那種老餐室的獨有氛圍。
食物確實是不錯吃，想想看現在還有那裡在賣蒸的面包？
那特有的軟軟綿綿口感，涂上鮮奶油加央，簡單而滿足。

FRIM

2011-09-11T00:02:00.000-07:00

It's such a shame that someone from KL like me have never been to this lovely place that's not very far from my house in KL. FRIM, the name in full would be Forest Research Institute Malaysia. This is the place when you can easily feel yourself as part of the nature, the energy there is so pure you can almost hear your inner self talking to you, or simply feeling all your cells being recharged or revitalized.

When you are in KL next time, forget about Jalan Alor, Mid Valley or Bangsar, head all the way to FRIM to enjoy an easy breezy morning walk!

Last day

2011-08-15T08:28:00.000-07:00

Our last day of business will be on 31 Oct 2011.
Counting down...

青春的碎片

2011-08-04T01:18:00.000-07:00

演唱會上思緒不斷地翻滾，
回憶像是解了碼一樣不停地侵噬，
死亡前也是這樣的嗎？
每個畫面好像霧裡看花一樣，
那麼近，又那麼遠。
每一幕又好像回到過去一樣，
好像伸手就可以輕意觸及，
額上的溫熱，
髮髾上的汗，
甚致呼吸到當時的呼吸，
許多面孔不停地閃爍，
青春，在燃燒著。

看著聽著，
才發覺淚已緩緩滑落。
p/s:Cranberries' Concert觀後感。

換

2011-08-03T10:18:00.000-07:00

以為年紀大點了，可以對事情有所選擇。
可以選擇喜歡的，做些讓自己開心讓自己驕傲的事。
但事實是現實的，生活上的每樣事情都在攤開手掌要錢，
你就只能把自己賣出去，去換取一些什麼。
然後再換一些短暫的快樂，換一些有的沒的，
換一些生活，然後就只剩下一張自己不喜歡的臉。

Amy

2011-07-24T10:10:00.000-07:00

2007年我第一次踏上了紐約，完全地喜歡上這個地方，
回來後很長的一段時間都一直想像可以在那邊生活，那該有多好。
那邊有著一股自由的氛圍，沒人去理會你在做些什麼，
但那並不代表他們沒有人情味。
也在那個時後，我認識了Amy,
電視街上唱片行都在熱播。
很直接地我也喜歡上Amy，就好像我喜歡紐約一樣。
然後一直看著她不能自救地往下墜，
終於，她著地了，
歸零了。
但我對紐約的喜愛依然還沒著地。

春風吹又生

2011-07-20T11:12:00.000-07:00

Junji Ito's snail

2011-07-20T11:07:00.000-07:00

I captured this snail simply because it reminds me so much of one of my favorite comic artist Junji Ito. Dark, creepy and beyond imagination.

十年難得一次的野餐

2011-07-20T10:56:00.000-07:00

Venue: Botanical Garden
7 of us and a bunch of crazy kids running after the bubbles.

苏州评弹

2011-07-18T10:45:00.000-07:00

I'm loving this, everything is so basic and beautiful.

苏州评弹是苏州评话和弹词的总称。它产生并流行于苏州及江、浙、沪一带，用苏州方言演唱。评弹的历史悠久，清乾隆时期已颇流行。最著名的艺人有王周士，他曾为乾隆皇帝演唱过。嘉庆、道光年间有陈遇乾、毛菖佩、俞秀山、陆瑞廷四大名家。咸丰、同治年间又有马如飞、赵湘舟、王石泉等，之后名家流派纷呈，使苏州评弹艺术历经200余年至今不衰。

简介苏州评弹

演出形式
评话通常一人登台开讲，内容多为金戈铁马的历史演义和叱咤风云的侠义豪杰。弹词一般两人说唱，上手持三弦，下手抱琵琶，自弹自唱，内容多为儿女情长的传奇小说和民间故事。评话和弹词均以说唱细腻长，吴侬软语娓娓动听；演出中常穿插一些笑料，妙趣横生。弹词用吴音演唱，抑扬顿挫，轻清柔缓，弦琶琮铮，十分悦耳。经过历代艺人的创造发展，曲调流派纷呈，风格各异。近40多年来，评弹从内容到形式推陈出新，传统书目得到整理提高，反映现实生活的新编书目陆续涌现，中篇和短篇等新的演出形式日臻完善。

演出方式
苏州评弹有说有唱，大体可分三种演出方式，即一人的单档，两人的双档，三人的三个档。演员均自弹自唱，伴奏乐器为小三弦和琵琶。唱腔音乐为板式变化体，主要曲调为能演唱不同风格内容的〔书调〕，同时也吸收许多曲牌及民歌小调，如〔费伽调〕、〔乱鸡啼〕等。〔书调〕是各种流派唱腔发展的基础，它通过不同艺人演唱，形成了丰富多彩的流派唱腔。

流派
苏州评弹大致可分三大流派，即陈（遇乾）调、马（如飞）调、俞（秀山）调。经百余年的发展，又不断出现继承这三位名家风格，且又有创造发展自成一家的新流派。如"陈调"的继承人刘天韵、杨振雄；"俞调"的继承者夏荷生、朱慧珍，他们均自成一家。其中“马调”对后世影响最大，多有继承并自成一派者，如薛（筱卿）调、沈（俭安）调、“琴调”（朱雪琴在“薛调”基础上的发展）。周（玉泉）调是在“马调”基础上的发展，而蒋（月泉）调又出自“周调”，如此发展繁衍形成了苏州评弹流派唱腔千姿百态的兴旺景象。
苏州评话

（一）简介
苏州评话是采用以苏州话为代表的吴语方言徒口讲说表演的曲艺说书形式，流行于江苏南部和浙江北部，包括上海大部的吴语地区，通常与苏州弹词合称“苏州评弹”。在流行地区，苏州评话俗称“大书”，苏州弹词俗称“小书”，总称“说书”。
（二）历史特色
苏州评话源于宋代说话伎艺。清代剧作家李玉的《清忠谱》第2折《书闹》中，描述了明末清初苏州说书中演说《岳传》的情景，有表，有白，有类似赋赞的韵文，和现在的苏州评话相同。明末清初的著名评话艺人柳敬亭，曾在苏州及其附近一带说书，与苏州评话有密切的渊源关系。清代中叶，苏州评话进入鼎盛时期，成立了苏州评弹最早的行会组织光裕社。在咸丰、同治年问，出现了说《水浒》的姚士章等评话名家。
（三）艺术特色
1、苏州评话的特点　　苏州评话是用苏州方言讲故事的口头语言艺术。其语言由第一人称即说书人的语言和第三人称即故事中人物的语言两部分组成，而以前者为主。这就和戏剧白言有质的区别。它是讲故事，而不是演故事。第一人称语言称表，第三人称语言称白，表和白以散文为主，多说不唱。但也有用作念诵的一小部分韵文，包括赋赞、挂口、引子和韵白等。赋赞用以描景、状物和渲染、烘托人物的心理状态及性格特征。挂口是人物的自我介绍。引子是说书人的书情介绍或点题。韵白是韵文的表或白或铺叙情节，或总结前段书情。　　苏州评话很注重噱，有“噱乃书中之宝”的说法。人物性格和情节的矛盾展开中产生的喜剧因素，叫“肉里噱”。用作比方、衬托、借喻和解释性的穿插，叫“外插花”。与此类似，用只言片语来引起听众的笑声，叫“小卖”。　　2、苏州评话的表演　　评话的表演包括“手面”和“面风”。这种动作和表情，也分说书人的和故事中人物的两大类。说书人的动作和表情，是解释性的，并用以表达说书人的喜怒哀乐和爱憎态度。故事中人物的动作和表情，由说书人用近似故事中人物的语言，包括语音和语调来讲话，叫做“起角色”。起角色是对故事中人物的模仿，而不是演员以故事中人物的面目出现，“登场面依然我”。说书人在书台上，始终是以演员身份出现的。这和戏剧的表演，也有质的不同。　　评话的演出，因演员的说法、语言、起角色等方面的不同特色，形成了不同的风格和流派。如有的演员说法严谨，语言经反复锤炼后基本固定，叫作“方口”。有的随机应变，舌底生花，善于即兴发挥，适应不同的听众而随心变化，叫作“活口”。有的演员说表语如联珠，铿锵有力，为“一口干”或“快口”。相反，则为“慢口”。有的演员以说表见长，少起角色，则为“平说”。有的以起某个角色见长，如有“活关公”、“活周瑜”、“活鲁智深”等美称。　　3、苏州评话的书目　　苏州评话的传统书目，约50多部。一类说历史故事，属讲史类，如《西汉》、《东汉》、《三国》、《隋唐》、《金枪》、《岳传》、《英烈》等，为“长靠书”，又称“着甲”一类是“短打书”，讲英雄好汉、义士侠客的故事，如《水浒》、《七侠五义》、《小五义》、《绿牡丹》、《金台传》等；还有神怪故事和公案书，如《封神榜》、《济公传》、《彭公案》、《施公案》等。　　苏州评话都是讲长篇故事，分回逐日连说。每天说一回，每回约一个半小时。能连说几个月，长的可达一年半载。这种长篇连说的特点，形成了评话特殊的结构手法。单线顺叙，用未来先说、过去重谈的方法前后呼应。用“关子”来制造悬念，以吸引听众。中华人民共和国成立后，苏州评话创作、改编了一批新书目，如《江南红》、《铁道游击队》、《林海雪原》、《烈火金钢》、《敌后武工队》等。还出现一些中、短篇作品。
（四）传承价值
近些年来，苏州评话听众锐减，书场萎缩，艺人大量流失，生存发展面临危机，急需加以扶持和保护。

媽媽說

2011-07-18T07:58:00.000-07:00

媽媽說，不要在網上寫些反政府的言論，不好。
我告訴媽，民主的社會是需要很多把聲音，讓政府去聽見。
我們這些微其量的吶喊，對他們盡管是不痛不癢，
但所有的小力量將會是走向更民主的一股能量。

我想，華人家庭所教會我們的都是多一事不如少一事的處事態度,
從小我們都是被教導成乖乖聽話不做聲就是好孩子的模樣，
政治由政治家去管，總之我們安份守己只管自己就好。
我希望這能被改變，
我也希望這個社會能有更多的言論自由。

媽媽所說的話是因為她愛我她保護我，
我是知道的。

Hanoi-Respect

2011-07-17T09:12:00.000-07:00

我在河內時，做了好幾個木雕印章，每個三美元。
每個都是師父們用心用血汗去雕去刻，而且還可以自選詞句或名字。
我尊重師父每一刀的努力，我敬佩每一種手做的辛勞。
最起碼，不去討價還價就是一種最基本的尊重。
就好像，當你在外用餐時年老的uncle auntie販賣紙巾一樣，
如果在能力范圍裡，何不給於uncle auntie一些尊重呢？
既然他們都能把身段放下，我們是不是也該給些鼓勵呢？
p/s: This will be the last post for my Hanoi trip.

Saturday is Yellow, so Sunday will be clean

2011-07-16T10:10:00.000-07:00

Look at the stars,
Look how they shine for you,
And everything you do,
Yeah they were all yellow,

I came along
I wrote a song for you
And all the things you do
And it was called yellow

So then I took my turn
Oh all the things I've done
And it was all yellow

Your skin
Oh yeah your skin and bones
Turn into something beautiful
D'you know you know I love you so
You know I love you so

I swam across
I jumped across for you
Oh all the things you do
Cause you were all yellow

I drew a line
I drew a line for you
Oh what a thing to do
And it was all yellow

Your skin
Oh yeah your skin and bones
Turn into something beautiful
D'you know for you i bleed myself dry
For you i bleed myself dry

Its true look how they shine for you
look how they shine for you
look how they shine for you
look how they shine for you
look how they shine for you
look how they shine
look at the stars look how they shine for you

Hautingly Beautiful

2011-07-13T10:04:00.000-07:00

http://demetz.zeroduemedia.com

Jenny Shimizu

2011-07-13T08:58:00.000-07:00

It was during the 90s when Linda, Christy, Naomi ruling the fashion world, then came Miss Shimizu. Her effortlessly cool look bring us the new definition of beauty.
She's simple, androgynous, unisex, grunge and she's Asian.

Ambiga萬歲!

2011-07-12T08:28:00.000-07:00

嘲笑完了飯桶後，
向真正的英雄致敬。
她身上散發著靈氣，
與光環。
Ambiga萬歲!

污桶萬歲!

2011-07-11T02:59:00.001-07:00

污桶萬歲。
污秽的飯桶！

Statue of Keadilan dan Kebersihan

2011-07-11T02:19:00.001-07:00

What do you see?

2011-07-11T02:05:00.000-07:00

What do you see?
I saw a bunch of useless and shameless policemen,
when they were suppose to protect our lovely citizens,
they weren't.
We feed them to threaten and destroy us.

If You Are A Malaysian, PLEASE Watch This Video

2011-07-10T10:37:00.000-07:00

Bersih

2011-07-10T09:52:00.000-07:00

我不搞政治也不喜歡政治，
我只知道越壓迫反彈的力量越大。
我們所要求的也很簡單，
干淨/clean/bersih/स्वच्छ.

最近一直在提醒自己，
廣告在傳送的是廣告，
不是資訊，
也不是知識。
當廣告與資訊相互混肴時，
你吸收到的時什麼？
一定要提醒自己，
要清醒，要學識，
不能無知，
不能盡信。

“二○○五年謝忠道出版了《慢食》一書，引起各地讀者廣大迴響。「慢食」是品嘗美食的全新主張，指的是認真進食、全心全意的感受每一道料理和食材背後的故事與心血。
然而，我們全心全意吃喝進胃裡的，究竟是什麼，對世界又有什麼樣的影響？”

● 一個臺灣小女孩從三歲開始就在吃的健康食品，在法國被列為藥品；
● 薯片包裝上打著大大的「橄欖油」字樣，實際成分卻只占了 4％；
● 菠菜含豐富鐵質，只是一個誤植的小數點引起的世紀誤會；
● 濫捕海洋魚類將導致我們 40 年後不再有魚可吃；
● 一個人類平均僅使用 20 分鐘的塑膠袋，需要大自然 400 年的時間才能分解。
● 白玉米、土芒果……等臺灣土產都在逐漸消失，一個世代對食物的共同記憶跟著隕落。

面對這些迷思與問題，我們的態度是什麼，責任在哪裡？
生活裡的工業產品越來越多，我們離大自然的食物鏈也越來越遠……。
慢食之後，謝忠道這次從一個非美食的角度關注生活，思索教育，尋找屬於臺灣人的國際公民飲食觀。

Viva Cranberries!

2011-07-03T10:20:00.000-07:00

Yes, they are coming!
Long live the Cranberries!

Hanoi-被騙記

2011-07-02T22:21:00.000-07:00

話說抵達河內的第一晚，才剛外出就遇到熱情的叫賣小販。
她手腳很快地把挑擔放在大姐的肩上任由我們拍照。
然後我們也禮貌地向她購買小黃梨。
“100,000dong!"
大姐還以為自己聽錯。
是100,000dong，原本我們還好心地想幫她買兩個小黃梨還有香蕉，
一共220,000dong.
這根本在打搶嘛。
最後無可耐何下，大姐還是掏出了一張百千元大鈔。
後來酒店服務員告訴我們，
一個小黃梨只需六千。
這個教訓也挺貴的，
但僞裝的熱情也許值得這個價碼吧。

Hanoi-Tiger Mask

2011-07-02T22:00:00.000-07:00

Things that I love but I didn't buy.
Maybe next time.

Hanoi-做生意

2011-07-02T21:54:00.000-07:00

如果可以三兩張桌椅就開門做生意的話，
一個城市該有多大的活力。
越多限制越會抹殺一個行業，
最後，越想留住的越留不住。

芋頭糕

2011-06-28T03:59:00.000-07:00

“Auntie,給我一個芋頭糕。”
“要不要辣椒？”
“不要，有沒有甜醬？”
“沒有了，要不要黑醬油？”
“errr...好吧！”
“我們的芋頭糕已經調味了，不用加醬料。”
我想，要不Auntie完全沒有嘗過自家的芋頭糕，
要不，是她完全對食物沒有pride.
第一，芋頭糕裡完全沒有芋頭。
第二，芋頭糕完全沒有味道，淡如水。
如果你不尊敬自己的食物，
就是不尊敬你自己，
如果你不尊敬你自己，
何必遭遢珍貴的食物呢？
我替你感到悲哀。

I want!

2011-06-25T11:09:00.000-07:00

If I don't reveal the answer I don't think you will ever get it. Yes, it's an iPhones' cases.
It's so hilarious and funny.
Get me one if you love me!

Hanoi-Communist

2011-06-25T09:19:00.000-07:00

為什麼共產國家都喜歡紅色？
因為累積了鮮血才能換取民主嗎？

Hanoi-廟裡的小紅馬

2011-06-24T20:36:00.000-07:00

在這間建於一七某某年的古廟裡，
有著一紅一白的兩匹駿馬，
不知用意是什麼，
就是很帥。