Reflecting Virtue with John Mayer's Continuum

His new album is gorgeous, the Memphis-soul displays yet another command of his musical talent. As always - he fuses R&B with old school blues with his gifted sharp melodies and naturally constructed songs.

Nonetheless, I found damaged relationships litter all over the place in Continuum, all depict lovers who betrayed each other, or in tragedy. Tracks such as, "I Don't Trust Myself (With Loving You)," "Slow Dancing in a Burning Room," "The Heart of Life," "Dreaming With a Broken Heart" and "I'm Gonna Find Another You", are to be avoided if you are in doubt or in trouble.

On the other hand, Mayer also took his own emotional temperature on self-conscious and obsessive about his place in the world, you can find traces on "Stop This Train": "...So scared of getting older...." he sings, ".....I'm only good at being young..." Can't agree more, can't you?

None of Continuum's 12 tracks accelerates above mid-tempo, therefore, perfectly suited for a modest and reflective moment in time for me to pause and think on life's virtues. Definitely a recommended addition to my recent playlist.

In Faith Go Forward

"In Faith Go Forward", is our school's motto. I had absolutely no idea what it meant when I was in school, but now I do. This is exactly what I want to remind a friend of mine, who probably won't be reading this for the time being, but just in case she does.

Every now and then along our journey, we encounter failures, bankruptcy, rejections, and people mock and ridicule you. However, everyone of those experiences along our journey is meant to teach us something, and help us propel forward.

Each time we feel depressed, it's a sign to remind ourselves of why we're doing what we're doing, to further reinforce the drive in us that keeps us going.

Each time we encounter an obstacle, it's a test to see how bad we want it and how smart we are in figuring out what to learn from it.

Each time we are ridiculed from friends and family for following our dream, it's a test to see how firm our foundation is and presenting an opportunity to reinforce our belief.

I realised if one focuses too much on getting to the end goal, one will misinterpret all the things that happen along one's journey. We'll become frustrated because the end goal we so desperately want to achieve is not coming as quickly as we would like it to.

I know I kinda of sounded like your grandma talking, but I've learnt so much lately that I really want to share with all my dear friends and in particular, my dearest sister.

I want to yell at them, and keep reminding myself to step back, breathe and realize that everything is part of our journey. It may not be to our likings, but we've got to appreciate and be thankful for it. The mistakes, the setbacks, the lessons learned, are all meant to fortify us and it is meant to be since inception. Meaningless trying to avoid them, cuz we can't.

Time For A Splendid Barbecue

Autumn is now in full swing and I think it's time to fire up the grill and show my family and friends I am capable of accomplishing great feats before their very eyes.

In Hong Kong, there exists many different options to host a weekend BBQ party. One can choose from enjoying it in hotels, ranging from the classy type of $500 per head in The Peninsula or a modest $168 in Novotel Hotel, Tung Chung.

To me, barbecuing is more than spending a couple of hours on a weekend afternoon, cooking a few ribs over a 600-degree flame, or even...setting your mashmallow on fire. It is about an opportunity to sit in front of the pit and mingle with those you care to share your TLC with (be it totally burnt, partially smoked, or best of all, finger lickin' good).

I personally much prefer going to those public pits in Shek O or Aberdeen Country Park and on this pic you see here, is a raw demonstration of a do-it-yourself wire-up learnt from scout training. Impressive stuff, huh? Wait till I tell you what went on there before you start getting jealous.

Garlic & Herb King Prawns, Balsamic Salmon, Spicy Swordfish, Scallops on White Wine and Rosemary Lamb Shoulders, are merely a handful of delightful examples.

Right Dudes, are you with me? Let's start planning for a BBQ party shall we?

Tonight's SSGC Reunion Dinner

Great night out with the girls.
The Event was planned 2 months ahead, started off with 20, but ended up with 10. That doesn't matter as we sure had a good laugh and agreed to do it all over again in 2 months' time, hope to have a few more to join the fun and giggles.

Evan Almighty Taught Me What To Pray For

Wanted to watch Evan Almighty in cinema when it was on but didn't quite manage. Get to catch it on a plane journey recently and not only it was quite a funny and unobjectionable mainstream movie suited for long haul flights, it taught me the technique of praying.

In one particularly poignant exchange between Almight God (Morgan Freeman) and Evan, God asks him if he thinks when you pray and ask God for patience, if God gives you patience, or puts you in a situation where you learn patience.

If someone asks for courage, does God give them courage or give them an opportunity where they can become courageous?

Does God give you family togetherness, or does he put you in a position where you pull together as a family?

I thought these observations were right on the money, and probably flashes something to even the Christian viewing public has perhaps, not even thought of.

From time to time, I have my doubts on whether god is indeed listening to my prayers. May be I should think harder on the lines above to improve my odds of getting what I wanted.

In Search of Perfection

Tonight's programme is so tasty...I was taken on a journey in search for the tastiest piece of steak ever.

This has to be one of my top rated cooking programmes on TV.

Regarded as one of the greatest living chefs on the planet, Heston Blumenthal examines some of UK’s everyday foods in an extraordinary way - I'd say combining Biology, Chemistry and some form of Physics into cooking! From shepherd’s pie to fish and chips, Heston analyses every component and ingredient as he seeks to create the ultimate taste sensation.

Steak and Salad

With flavour often being compromised for a more tender texture, Heston attempts to find a balance between the two. He experiments with longer cooking times at lower temperatures (24 hours @50 degrees celsius), to ensure the meat retains its juices. A blowtorch comes in handy too!

The finishing touch is the sauce. Having tried all the usual favourites, from tomato sauce to Worcester sauce and packet mixes, he then remembers a recipe for mushroom ketchup from an old cookbook which he adapts with a modern twist to make the ultimate accompaniment.

For those in Canada, you can access this cooking programme in Food Network Channel, and for those in Hong Kong, it's on ATV's World Channel every Tuesday 8:30pm.

I'm tellin' ya, you've got to watch him if you adore your food and cooking.

Nothing to be taken as granted

Human does have a curious capacity to take things for granted. The most exquisite diamond loses its glitter with familiarity. The most compatible intimate becomes boring. Miracles like the daily sunrise fail to astonish the majority of us, simply because they’re commonplace and repetition and time dull our sense of wonder.





What else do I take for granted? The light turning on when I hit the switch, the chair supporting my weight when I sit on it, a dial tone when I pick up the phone, the clean water that runs when tap is turned, the bowel habit that I have daily and that my body will move when I will it to. Ah, the last one. My body moving.

Body moving is partially about health. Health is something that too many of us take for granted. And if we don't take it for granted, we only pay it lip service.

We assume that our joints will work and our body will move when we command it to. We make assumptions all the time and we take it for granted. Really. When was the last time you thought about moving your leg, or standing up when you were seated. When was the last time you traced your movements, slowly, to see what actually was happening? Probably not recently, if ever.

Sorry if this one turns out to be as confused a mess as it felt while I wrote it. But, this is really essential stuff and needs constant reminders - nothing can be taken as granted.

Bad Language is good for you...

I read this with amusement yesterday in the papers and I thought I should share with all of you.

In short, the article basically is saying, regular swearing at work can help boost team spirit among staff, allowing them to express better about their feelings as well as develop social relationships, according to a British researcher.

The research studied the use of profanity in the workplace and assessed its implications for managers. The key appeared to be knowing when such language was appropriate and when to turn a blind eye.

The results - Banning swear words and reprimanding staff might represent strong leadership, but could remove key links between staff and impact on morale and motivation.

"I SWEAR.....BY THE MOON...AND THE STARS...AND THE SKY...."

Vacation Transition Syndrome

Today is Day 1 of work after a 2.5-week long vacation. I don't recall knowing anyone in the office who has had more days off than me in one go, not to include those sick/maternity leave. Am suffering from maladjustment and serious depression upon coming home from a really fabulous vacation.

As I tried to get my sorry self in gear and return to the responsibilities and routine of ordinary daily life, I discovered I am not alone. In bare fact, VTS is a well-known illness and it's being mentioned everywhere in the web. Here's some cut-n-paste advice from professional psychiatrists on how to get through this easier.

• First thing First Unpack your suitcase, do laundry, take your photos to be developed, and put your souvenirs on a shelf, restock your pantry and refrigerator, go through your mail, return any phone calls that came in while you were gone.


• On Day 1 of work Easing back into work gently by starting with tasks such as photocopying and tidying my desktop.


• On Day 2 of work Give yourself something to look forward to, i.e. start planning for the next vacation


• Take more Vacation throughout your career Have you ever stopped to think about why vacations are such a shock to the system? It's because we are UNACCUSTOMED to them.

If my boss is reading this by any chance, please forgive me, your staff here is in need of a transition period and she is just adhering to some guidelines to get her up and running for you again.

All she's gonna do today is simple tasks requiring minimal level of exercising her brain, she might leave a bit earlier to clean up her environment at home and she will tell you very soon when she'll go on vacation again.