Missed & Gained

I missed the chance to meet two of my favourite actors/actresses - Hugh Grant and Catherine Zeta-Jones in Mission Hill's celebrity golfing tournament yesterday.  The two were among 20 professional golfers, 20 celebrities and 120 amateurs who took part in the Star Trophy on Hainan Island, China.


Just when I was sourly sobering, reading all the nitty gritty details from its happenings in the news, I was given FREE admission tickets to tour around UBS Hong Kong Open later this month!  I can't believe it!  UBS has really elevated the event for everyone inside and outside the ropes, and the tournament has become a very important one in many players' calendars.

How lucky can I be?  Terribly looking forward to that. 

This is Rory McIlroy finishing at second place last year at the Opens.

Volunteering

I have never been that charitable all my life and when I was made project leader for my company's volunteering program, I knew I was to embark on a challenge.

Today's the big day...I could not be more thankful that it was all over now.  Not only had it been completed, I could even proudly claim it a success too.

The entire team turned up punctually and I had a 100% attendance rate!  All volunteers brought with them lots of enthusiasm and a charitable heart - each and everyone of them has made my job as leader seem extremely easy peasy indeed.

Everyone in our team spent some quality time with singleton elderly living in one of Hong Kong's oldest public housing estates.  We went for a chat and lent a patient ear to those who wish to talk.  All of us helped make a difference by brightening their day, making the residents feel valued, included and informed of community developments. 

Not only I felt extremely rewarded and a job well done, I stole a few invaluable tips of staying young and healthy from two fabulous 70+ women! 

My day just couldn't have been spent any better.  

Halloween Bash

Halloween in Hong Kong doesn’t really have much of a tradition, but, like many western celebrations, this world city has embraced the creepy celebration and the festival has become a huge consumerism-driven deal in Hong Kong.


This is Lan Kwai Fong earlier tonight...with bars and restaurants all fully packed - And it's only the early part of Friday night.

Can't imagine how crazy the city's premier party street will be on the weekend the next 2 days to follow but it will certainly be an area to be avoided for me.  

Mad About Hairy

I wrote a piece earlier in the month depicting my dad's advice on how to select the best crabs. The time has arrived to quintessentially have our annual hairy crab tackling feast at home. 

The shortage of supply for these lovelies this year has driven up the retail price so much and my first one this year shown here cost a staggering HK$380 a catty!  They were priced for their oozing roe and oil, which had a brilliantly orange hue when cooked and this huge one I tasted tonight was so exceptionally rich in flavour - didn't disappoint the slightest. 


No meat was left behind, no juice wasted.  

The joy of enjoying the delicacies with loved ones, the chance to chat the night away while slowly sipping yellow wine, followed by a ginger soup dessert to round the night up as a grand finale.  


What more do I want in life, I wonder?

There's Always Time For A Cuppa

Things in your life seems almost too much to handle, 24 hours a day not quite enough, you feel the pressure point on your shoulders and you can't ignore the stress in your stomach.

Aren't these all too familiar to city dwellers like you and me?

Someone told me an interesting thought and I very much want to share it with you all in here because it is so very inspiring.  The conversation happened when I regrettably told this person I did not have time today to enjoy a cup of coffee with her.  

She then told me life is like a jar, you try to fill it up with sand, even if the whole jar looks seemingly full, you can still pour some liquid in it. Coffee can sift through!  



And no...I didn't have coffee with her eventually but you can't doubt her.  

So think about it - no matter how busy your life is, there's always time you can squeeze out of it for a nice cuppa with a pleasing friend.  

Time For Some Al Fresco Chills

There are only a few weeks in a year when the weather is perfect for al fresco dining in Hong Kong: A brief spell in the spring, before the humidity envelops us like a wet wool blanket and another perfect timing would be now literally -  right after the blister heat in the summer and before the blustery winter sets in. 

"Fresco" is Italian for "cool" if you didn't know.  I was short of ideas as to where to find the hippest bar for an outdoor chill-out and grateful to come across this site which lists the top 10 spots for al fresco bars in the city.   My search for an outdoor dining spot to relax and enjoy Hong Kong’s November weather, won't be that out-of-reach now! 

Jack of All Trades

I am proud to have gone to a university that offered “inter-disciplinary studies” that allowed me to study through multiple schools toward one degree.  As I grew older though, being termed a "jack of all trades" by my father has always scared me. 

What he really means, is that I am a "Master of none" or a "generalist" who is merely competent with many skills but is not outstanding in any particular one.  It's like a cat with three legs, or worst of all, one who knows everything but cannot do anything!

My recent Enneagram personality test conformed to the idea that I am a generalist too (I would prefer to term myself as too complex to be categorized, if I have a choice).  I possess so many varying (sometimes contradicting) thoughts and so many unrelated hobbies that I often think something is wrong with me.  

Not until I came across a brilliant quote from http://www.brainquote.com - a quote from Robert A.Heinlein - the American Master of Science fiction.  His quote has absolutely enlightened me...

“A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects.”

-Robert A. Heinlein

The thought of doing just one thing for the rest of my life is terrifying.  It is so relieving to know that "Jack of All Trades" can be a strength too and I think I am going to stick to that.

The Big Buddha & Typhoons

 

Hong Kong is in the path of typhoons and every year a few would bring some rain.  Sometimes just that, sometimes with high gusts of wind and a day off because of that.

My parents' generation can still remember vividly the horror of living through some of the Super Typhoons (with a maximum wind at centre of 185km/h or above).  The last time a Super Typhoon gave Hong Kong a direct hit was Hope of 1979.  The ones before were Rose of 1971, Ruby of 1964 and Wanda of 1962, with Wanda and Rose each resulted in a death toll of more than one hundred in Hong Kong. 

My dad has this belief that this Big Buddha which sits in Hong Kong's Lantau Island, not only is the world's tallest outdoor bronze seated Buddha, is also Hong Kong's saviour from tropical cyclones. 

Statistically speaking, there is some truth in it as since it's completion in 1993, we have been spared by some of the strongest typhoons that had otherwise, caused havoc in our neighbouring countries.  In recent years however, more and more people acquire the illusion that there is nothing to fear about when a super typhoon strikes, which is not the exact right attitude to have. 

Vastly understandable though, when the recent Super Typhoon Megi, which slammed The Philippines at 155 mp/h; caused massive mud and rock slides in Taiwan, decided to take a detour as soon as he saw Big Buddha holding his hand up from afar.

Would you be inclined to nod and agree with this old man?

Emcee Script on Amber's Wedding

"Time flies, I have known this kid all my life, watching her grew from a little hair-less baby transformed to a magnificent lady we see today and everything that her mother wanted her to be.  Witnessing her getting married today is just an amazing feeling."

"The power of love can withstand anything, not even the strongest typhoon can pull them apart or stop this from happening."

"Look at this beautiful Sun that came upon us out of the blue, I am sure the evening will be delightfully blessed with starlight too."

"And now the big moment, Ladies and Gentleman, please give your warmest welcome to the bridal party - Amber & Wilson."

 

Can't help shedding a few happy tears for them.

All the best for the newly wed!!

A Bad habit of Lovin' Fine Gin

Quintessentially British, Gin & Tonic has always been my favourite evening starter.  And since the discovery of Bombay Sapphire in my drink list, I have another addition to add to my book after tonight - Saffron Gin. 

Max, the bartender has certainly enlightened my dinner experience and made it homey and personable.  He introduced Gabriel Boudier Saffron Gin to me this evening by saying I can't drink it elsewhere in Hong Kong.  He got my buy-in right on the spot and the gin was in fact beautifully inviting indeed. 

I must say I appreciated that orange and tangy colour and though at 40% alcohol level, it tasted exceptionally strong for an easy liking, I would definitely go back for another one whenever I want a Gin with a twist.  It's worth a sip if you haven't tried. 

Go Black & White

They say the best camera is the one you have with you.  If you have a great shot in sight, but don't have the time to grab your DSLR or point-and-shoot, you will just have to make do with your phone's camera.  Most often than not though, that results in dull photos that are barely worth looking at later on.

Don't despair.  You can certainly do better.

If minor colour edits aren't helping at all, you can always go try black and white or sepia. This will get rid of any major colour issues your picture has, and can salvage a dull picture. 

Sure, you still may not have colour, but you can make the lack of colour look more intentional and less like you're just using a bad camera.

  
Something I discovered only recently!





 

Amber's Wedding

My dear cousin's getting married this Saturday and a typhoon is deciding to join our little party, playing havoc by making a big fuss and scaring everybody.  

I want to reassure the young couple, that nothing is going to blow you guys apart, not even the strongest typhoon ever recorded. 

There's this one song that I know I will play on my wedding day (when, and if I ever get married) - "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now" by Jefferson Starship. 

I would like to dedicate this to my dearest cousin, Amber.   

Dear Amber, Remember,

Wedding lasts for a day; Marriage lasts for a life time! 

All the very best to you and Wilson! 

"And we can build this dream together
Standing strong forever
Nothing's gonna stop us now
And if this world runs out of lovers
Well still have each other
Nothing's gonna stop us
Nothing's gonna stop us now..."

 

Discovering Uniqueness in The Calendar

Today is 19.10 and it would have been a special day a century ago when you put them together like this: 19 10.1910 and tomorrow would also signify a once-in-a-life-time combination with
20 10 2010.  

While everyone was obsessed with the number 101010 on the 10th October 2010, I am more attracted to this date 20102010 tomorrow because...

101010 will occur again on the 10th October 2110 a hundred years later, whereas 20102010 will never ever occur again any time in the future!  It's very unique and I am fascinated by these double-matching stuff.


Read it on the news the other day that there's this couple who had a baby on 08 08.08, then another on 09.09.09 and you would ask what about 10.10.10 and the answer is...Yes - their third one was borned that day!  Amazingly timed. 

FYI - The next uniqueness worth jotting down in your calendar would be 20.11 2011 and 20.12. 2012.  Start planning dudes.

Grease Is STILL The Word

Grease is still touring and it is obvious that this musical is relevant and popular today. Numerous reasons for this I think. 

First of all, Grease has always been loved by all simply because of its frank take on teens life.  Danny and Sandy have a bumpy relationship and they willingly sacrifice their identities in order to get the other one to like them. Danny joins the athletic team while Sandy gets an extreme makeover of sorts, shedding her nun-like persona. 

Stuff like this happens in real life and grown-ups today remember Grease fondly and teenagers are discovering it for the first time.

Not a doubt, Grease is still the word, I have watched that movie dozens of times.  The musical awaits me tomorrow and I just can't wait to tap my toes and nod my head to every familiar song!

Holly Brown Visit No. 2

Whenever I found a new place I like, I can't stop myself from running around telling all my friends.

I stepped in Holly Brown on its opening day a few months back (read here) and I hurriedly left because I was put off by the insanely long queue.  In my return visit yesterday, I was so very pleased with my choice and I had one of the best gelatos I have ever had outside Italy.

It might not be the most authentic but their velvety texture of the chocolate flavour was so creamy and thick - it was essentially like a denser version of a gelato which never melts.

Look at that curvy waffle bowl - freshly made in-house resulted in an ultra crunchy and crispy experience.  While I tried my very best to crack it all down, bear in mind the fact that it was already past midnight, posed not such a good idea. 

Definitely a return visit is a must, as the pilgrimage to the coffee Mecca is supposedly to savour their coffee. 

Definition of A Good Time

Just like “fun” or “good food”, it means different things to different people.  Take good food as an example - if you want a great meal, you can't go very wrong by grabbing your Michelin guide and shouldn't be that difficult to find a restaurant and enjoy a palatable meal. 


There are bigger questions about what constitutes a good meal. What is THE emotional definition of good food?  What emotional values does a tasty meal draw out from you?  Love? Family bonding? A celebration?


For me, good food exists only when I have the time and attention to enjoy it.  My definition of good food is simple: having the time to enjoy a meal and a good time with loved ones.  

Nice meal and a good wine: definition of a good time!  

What's yours?

Only In Hong Kong

Japan really spoils one's appreciation for what sashimi should be, but what can't we as discerning diners get in Hong Kong? 

From a sumptuous, several-course gourmet Chinese dinner to a new generation of cuisine influenced by world-famous chef such as Joël Robuchon, or simply a stop-off at your favourite street stall for a bowl of fish ball noodles.

I am proud to say, we have it all - only in Hong Kong!

The Epic Rescue

The news moved me as the imminent rescue began from the harrowing entrapment yesterday, witnessing online, their trip up to the surface one after another.

As the world revels in the success, the feel-good factor is tempered when CNN reports that Chinese coal miners have succumbed to poor safety standards and 2,631 lives have been lost in 2009 alone! 

It was unity that helped the 33 Chilean Miners survive 69 days underground, including more than two weeks when no one knew whether they were alive. But credit has to be given to the Chilean government on how they orchestrated the whole rescue. 

And you just can't help but wonder how China, the world's second largest economy, is unable to rescue its miners!

It Pays To Pay For Corkage

Hong Kong moved to centre stage in the global wine industry two years ago when the city abolished the 40% wine import duties to zero!

A regular consumer like myself, understood the benefit wouldn't come immediate as the going argument against lowering prices by restaurants then, was they still had pre-tax-cut-stock to sell off, I nonetheless, took that slash as joyful news.

Two years after they axed the wine tax, can someone explain why I am still paying up to USD17.00 for a glass of wine?  May be the local restaurants just don't see the point of lowering the prices.  I mean, why would they when they know they have a constant flow of wealthy drinkers from mainland China (who would happily mix Lafite with Coke)?

I went to Watson’s Wine Cellar today and found Noble One 2007 on the shelf selling at USD29.00 while I had it the other day in a restaurant at doubled the price!

Most often than not, I think it pays to pay for corkage in Hong Kong - particularly so for the more expensive wines. 

A point worth noting though: Purchasing Noble One in Hong Kong is found to be 10-12% less expensive than in De Bortoli  - its birth place of origin.  

I am indeed enjoying the cut in wine taxes and who am I to complain? 

The Salary Equivalent

What is the closest thing you have similar to a woman’s period?

Your monthly salary!  

It comes once a month and gone in a few days!  If it doesn’t come...it translates to nothing but...troubles!

Hope yours haven't reached that state on the 12th day of the month!  

I am still waiting for mine to arrive in 3 days' time.  Why does this month feel like a drag?

Put Taio Cruz In Your Playlist

Taio Cruz's latest album Rokstarr has been looping in my favourite playlist for the past 2 weeks and there's no stopping it.  

This 26-year old Brit R&B singer and song-writer is currently sitting in the top 5 of the HMV chart and my picks from the album would be "Break Your Heart" & "Gone Away". 

If you are into the groove of some Indie rock for that static work-out on the treadmill or, if you are simply looking for some fun music to play in your car when stuck in second gear - this would be it, look no further.   






 

A Ski Holiday in Mind?

 

I have only skied twice in my life and somehow it is itching me this season.  Hence, the start of a search for a ski holiday with :

- Powder Snow condition;
- Ski slopes at the doorstep;
- Spacious, uncrowded slopes;
- Ski and Snowboard lessons;
- Variety of ski runs within easy reach
- All inclusive


Club Med Sahoro, Hokkaido - have we got a match there?

I Love Hong Kong's Airport - Who Doesn't?

If Tom Hanks in the movie "Terminal", had been stuck at Hong Kong International Airport rather than JFK's, he may never ever wanted to leave.  I personally think it has got to be the finest airport in the world (non-biased). 

Highly efficient and incredible shopping aside, it has the widest range and largest number of eateries not seen elsewhere, not even the newest airports can go anywhere near comparison.  

And yes, not even Singapore's Changi Airport, named Airport of the Year 2010, is quite up to par in my standard.

See...they don't offer free WI-FI access and they lack some serious coffee there!  That is 2 brownie points down the drain!

Get Inspired

One of the questions I get asked quite often is where I draw inspirations for my daily blogging. 

From people I met, from every inch of the city I walked.  Even the vast rainbow of delicate macaroons in a patisserie or, the vibrant colours from Paul Smith's window displays - can inspire me. I am fortunate enough to get buckets of ideas quite easily. 

I recently dreamt about something, woke up in a middle of a night, jotted the idea down and put it together the following day and presented it to my boss.  Though having a rough idea is at least as important as implementing it properly, without inspiration and innovation, we are all dead. 

Graffiti in Shanghai

I don't think I am particularly talented, I think every one of us is equally capable in drawing inspiration from each vignette.  If you are lacking creativity, twiddling your thumbs or whittling your time away, may I suggest you:

call and meet up with a friend, 

take a walk, listen to some music, 

read a book or a magazine, 

eat something...

These are things that have kept me alive, pretty much!

 

Conquering the Acrophobia in Me

I want to be able to climb a ladder and change the light bulbs in the ceiling - without the fear of falling down.

I want to be able to stand next to the window pane and look down into the streaming traffic from a skyscraper - without feeling giddy.

I would like to be able lean on a balcony railing - without a weakened knee.  

I wish to enjoy a breath-taking view from my friend's apartment (on a freaking 69th floor) - without saying I wish I could suck in that spectacular landscape.  

The fear of heights has silently kicked in from a few years back.  I have no idea what caused this fear in the first place, but it has intervened and is starting to get in the way of life. 

I mean...did something happen to me as a child?  Did I fall from a high place, or witness someone else fall?   I can't recall but it is something I really want to conquer.

I have just decided I am going to work one little step at a time.  May be I shall try staring down from my 28th floor flat each day for say, a few seconds and see how that goes?

How am I going to do this when even typing this sentence out is making my palm sweat a bit!

If you have any better suggestions, I would die to hear from you.

Eat Pray Love

As much as I look forward to this movie, a part of me wants to stay away from it.

Look, basically Julia Roberts is saying, take a year off from life is viable.  Take a year off traveling to places such as Italy, India and Bali could be the best thing that could happen to you!

Now that idea has bad influence and is extremely dangerous.  One can easily get slipped and slid away - just like that before you knew it. 

Can the moral of the story be suggesting being irrational is the most rational state to be in?   




 

A Metal I Adore

I like this metal, nearly at any price, for one specific reason:

I believe it'd always make sense to allocate some portion of your investment portfolio to this precious metal, and hold it as a hedge against both currency and stock market fluctuations.

If you still have doubt...

JPMorgan has just re-opened an underground gold vault in New York which was mothballed in the 1990s. 

They have also recently built a vault in Singapore, while Deutsche Bank and Barclays Capital are considering opening new vaults in London.

Need further proof?  

Okay.  How about supply and demand?  

While demand is soaring, supply is limited.  Considering it takes many years to develop new mines, this constrained supply picture is something that is not going to change quickly. 


Simply put, here's my two cents:  

Gold is where you want to be.  It’s one of today’s best investments and it has been mine for years.






 

Non-Alcoholic Beer??

Didn't know such a beverage existed until this day!

This type of Lager costs twice as much compared to normal ones found in supermarkets.  More expensive as it is in essence a quality beer which has had to go through an extra costly process to remove the alcohol.

It is definitely a niche market and I am sure there are people out there who want a beer taste without the alcohol effects.  


Let me give this a try and decide whether I can secretly introduce this to my dad without him knowing.  Doubt I can get away with that, but worth a try.  

Hong Kong Best-Loved Gem: Star Ferry

I could well contest to be one of the Hong Kong Star Ferry’s loyal customers because if time allows, I would almost always choose this means over any other transportation to cross the Victoria Harbour.  I mean, would ya?

For me, the short journey of under 10 minutes is really more than just a ferry ride - it is an absolute delight.  

I was on the lower deck today and this bunch of kids did exactly what I did when I was young.  The spot where that boy was standing, was what it used to be my favourite place where I chose to park myself twenty odd years ago during the ride.

Brewing with anticipation as the ferry approached the pier on starboard side, I would watch out for one of the crew members throw the mooring rope and immediately my excited eyes would not lose sight for the pier's crewmen catching that rope with a long billhook.

May be I was hoping to see if they would miss the catch?  But they never failed. 

Same portly green and white from the 60s relics - this ought to be one of Hong Kong's best-loved gems.

Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps

If I can think of one message to take-away from this movie (if any), it has to be that, the Wall Street crash of 2008 could happen again, because little has changed from two or three years ago.


Today, as we all know, USA is probably the poorest country in the World (if you include the national debt they have)!  The Americans suffer from high unemployment, slow growth, huge deficits, and extra trillions added to the national debt.

I was watching CNBC the other day and they actually have a programme which taught a couple how to save up and spend wisely!  That really amazes me. 

Interestingly enough though, in this year’s Fortune 500 list, two banks made it into the top 10 including Bank of America and J.P. Morgan Chase.

Is Gekko (Michael Douglas) in the film correct in saying we are doomed to repeat the mistakes of the past? Or can we repent, and learn, and do better?

The Meaning of National Day

National Day, according to wikipedia is a designated date (normally a holiday) on which celebrations mark the nationhood of a nation or non-sovereign country. This nationhood can be symbolized by the date of independence, of becoming republic or a significant date for a patron saint or a ruler.

A bit complicated when you look at Hong Kong, where the territory's history has defined not 1 but 2 days of national holiday:

1 July (Transfer of sovereignty to the PRC 1997) &
1 October (National Day of the People's Republic of China)

Hong Kong, given in between status as an imperial colony of ethnic Chinese, it is no wonder particularly hard for its people to feel patriotic about anything.  And in a country where a huge number of people have dual citizenships, the concept of nationalism is just rather seemingly distant.

It is now 13 years after Britain returned the crown colony of Hong Kong to China, and while the people are still understanding what it means to be a citizen, I think the festive mood and patriotic sentiments have been conspicuously felt strongly in the past few years.  A very exhilarating fact to know.