Last Day-for now

27 April 2012, I can picture Sarah Brightman in my head and with her high pitched voice singing…” time tooooo…say gooooood-bye….”

Life can be pretty funny sometimes because we are never satisfied, like not satified about today’s weather it’s either too hot or too cold, or “yeah today’s not too bad, but…” yes thats’s right, there’s always a B.U.T…..etc etc. So, back to what I was saying, it was my last day yesterday…wait for it…BUTTTTTTTT…I’m going to miss this place so damn much!!

I still remember when I first came, so naive and scared but as time progress I began to mature and find more confidence in what I do. Learning through my mistakes and adapting to changes. My plant is the best example…now it’s up to you (Ms L) to nurture it.

Sometimes during difficult times, constant OTs I would feel like I’ve had enough of it and can’t wait to get myself out of this big disgusting mess from hell…BUTTTT…when the time to leave has come, it’s hard to let go.  I think I had more fun time than I did bad times. So as “sad” as it may feel to move on…yes, I said move on…we should be grateful for the awesome time we had together.  The happy memories are all we need quality over quantity.

I think one of the highlights would be the little star of the corp. I am going to miss her so much. She’s a little angel and bundle of joy. I saw her today at her little castle, she greeted me with a cute “jie jie” and rained sunshine smiles as she cruised around her little castle. She even played a little “bang bang” tune with her bowling pins. Too cute! Oh, not forgetting, she even showed moi her nifty little kitchen set, equipped with cookware and veggies!! When it was time for me to say my “G?0?2rü?0?6ürüz”, she stood by the door, a little uncertain, a little sad she walked towards me, smiling, as if to say “see you soon, can I hug you?” Yes, of you can! I picked her up and gave her a big hug and a little head bump, still smiling, so innocent and sweet. As I start to walk away she sends me a “mwah”, how cute is that?  <3 kids!!

We can learn so much from kids, like she said “see you soon” thatis such a great attitude to have in these kinds of situations. It’s not “Good-bye” because that means we’ll never meet again…we will meet again, where ever we are, we will meet again…Believe in that!
See you!! : )

Dafu Mountain /大夫山

After two weeks of anticipation I finally made it to Dafu Mountain in Panyu District. Vendors for bicycle rentals flooded the road leading up the to the north gat entrance of the mountain. Together the five of us hunt down for the best bikes with the best deals, walking from one vendor to the next while showing off our bargaining skills. After a good 15mins hassle we settled on 5 bikes@50RMB one day rental. SCORE!!  I picked out a cute neon pink bike with a yellow basket (the basket wasn’t that cute, but it did it job by lighten the load on my back, and it even had a lid!!)

Gazillion bikers pro’s or no pro’s swamped towards the entrance, an order chaos I tell you, even big cars have no say on the roads this time. Dashing and twirling in and amongst other insane bikers we made it to the entrance, with a quick scan of the map we picked a path and rode like we never rode before. All pumped with adrenaline and excitement about a mountain, who knows what’s installed for us?

I was soaking it alllll in, nature I love you dearly! Fresh leafy greens that have just sprouted out on commands from Spring, lash and enchanting that it seemed like a scene from a fairy tale or one from an ancient Chinese war time story.

There were of course paved roads, but those that were not, intertwined and snaked up the hills, some had staircase half way some were just stepping stones, I eager to wonder off from the group and take myself to a new world. The possibilities that could be waiting in on me…are endless!

Almost 3 1/2hrs of cycling it was time for a break. We found a neat spot under a big shady tree. The protruding roots of the tree provided a seat for me to rest my body and limbs. The soft breeze, glittery sunshine and melodic birds swept me off my feet and straight to dreamland.

 

Dafu Mountain/大夫山  (Panyu District, Guangzhou)
Route: GZ Metro to HanXiChangLong (汉溪长隆) then take the 10A bus, get off at the last stop, Dafushan.

Lamma Island (Hong Kong)

I’m baaa-acck!!! HA!! I know, I must admit….Hong Kong, I just can’t get enough of you! I missed you so!

Welcome to Lamma Island!! All on board!!

This time round I’m pretty excited about about my stay, why? Well a good friend of mine Ms L just started her own business, extremely proud of her she’s one hell of a smartie pants!! So had to get myself there and start a early celebration. (^^,)

Day 1- I had stayed over at Ms C’s the night before and her dog…haha…well lets just say her dog loves to bark talk. (^^,)
Ms L’s bf insisted we go to Lamma Island again and…EAT EAT EAT…eat all the way to the otherside of the island. So planning to meet at 12:00 by the pier in Central turned out to be 12:55…yes, I was late this time, well that was only because Ms C had to get her doctors note for sick leave…so technically it was her fault. : P  Anyway, Ms C and I were on the ferry from TST (Tsim Sha Tsui) to Central, we were due to arrive in 1 minute then we get a call from Ms L saying the boat for Lamma Island leaves in two minutes…-.-!!! Yet another ”Amazing Race” to the Lamma Island ferry. We speed our way through the crowds and made it just in time before they closed the gates…lucky!

The  chow down of Ms L and her bf started from the fishballs they got just before getting through the ferry gates. Then it was a bag of Lays…which he ate all by himself-Thanks for sharing. -.-
He really wanted to get the snacks we had last time when we were there, bbq pork belly and bbq kebabs, so without further ado, we headed straight for that particular restaurant. (Oh, just one small pit stop for fish balls again and chinese radish first)  When we got to that restaurant, to our GREAT GREAT disappointment, they were closed today….major mood killer. Apparently most shops are not opened on mondays and usually weekends are the best days to come. (Lesson learnt) So, instead we just picked a Thai resto and had a lunch, which included satay pork neck and belly, seafood rice, and rice noodles. Not bad though…(^^,)

After lunch it was walking walking and more walking…up up we go! The view of the sea and its horizon and cargo ship at the distance, fresh air and wild life…this is a good life!  

Day 2- This day was dedicated to shopping, eating and walking walking an more walking….@.@  Habour City is a PARADISE for all shopaholics. It’s right on Canton Road, very close to the Tsim Sha Tsui Ferry Pier, with more than 700 shops with all the international brands you can possibily think of…Brace yourselfs!!

I’m not that into he shopping because I was still savouring the hike at Lamma Island, I mean how can you not when beautiful Mother Nature smiles and greats you welcoming you to here big embrace!

Strawberry Affaire Encore

Remember last year or was it the year before that, I went strawberry picking with Mr C in the out skirts of the city. It was just a small farm beside the road and people would come, take a basket and start picking away at the plump strawberries. Fast forward a few years later just like any other “fashion trend” bursting at the seams more and more of these strawberry farms have too “burst in the seams” of every corner in the city out skirts.

This time I went to the one near Clifford, Panyu. It’s pretty easy getting there, metro station line 2 , Nan Zhou station (南州站) the farms are right out the exits.

Welcome to strawberry Kingdom!

We (around 10 people) trotted and skipped through the farm picking only the juiciest and plumpest darlings into our baskets. Strawberries of all shape and sizes some which were a bit odd shaped to be quite honest. Have you even seen a siamese strawberry? Yip, you read it, SIAMESE. There were many which were joint at sides and some hollowed at the bottom, weird shapes I tell you. Not quite the type of strawberry I know…Haha, it’s starting to sound like a scene from a horror movie right? LOLs!

(Side note: this reminds me of a documentry “Food Inc”, it talks about the process and trend of how food is produced nowadays to meet the demands of the consumers. It points out how we, the consumers not really by choice have selected convenience over nutrition.) Given the shape and size of these babies (blow),  they must have known that over the years, bigger means better even if it means sacrificing the sweet sun kissed flavours.

Spending a few hours dancing and prancing in the sun and filling our bellies with the berry goodness it was time to leave the Strawberry Kingdom…but leaving on a good note that is.

Strawberry Feast…to be continued.

Rock Climbing…maybe when the weather gets better.

The misty weather has been hogging over the city for the past two weeks, the humidity caused my walls to sweat like it had ran two laps around the city. Just last weekend despite the weather my colleague with a couple of her friends and I trekked up Baiyun Mountain. Baiyun Mountain also called the “White Cloud Mountain” reach heights of   382 meters it is the highest mountain in Guangzhou. 

It certainly was quite “cloudy” that day or rather misty. It gave it an airy and mystical feeling almost like walking in the “deep dark forest” of fairytale land. In this picture I love how the prominent  red and white stripes of the road stoppers contrast with the claw like branches and the lady in the pink making her the character of my little story.

After walking for almost over an hour and through a secret pathway that led us to the climbing walls. We had walked through a small vegetation then to an open rocky area then to another secret pathway, narrow and steep leading us down to the climbing walls. It was quite an adventure I must say. ( You have to understand that although Baiyun Mountain claims to be a mountain, it’s quite a “modernized“ mountain in that the roads leading to the top are all paved roads making it easier for cars to get up. There are paths for the adventurists too but they are just a flights of paved staircases too. So to be able to walk on a path that does not involve any paving is a bonus!) 

Another side of the climbing wall, on this side it’s ideal for first timers or beginners like moi. I’ve only rocked climbed twice in my life, once was on artificial wall in the gym in high school and second was during a leadership camp, it was on a real rock wall~was pretty awesome!! So I did very much anticipate to climb that wall…but as you can see in the pictures the weather didn’t prohibit us to do so. A pity it was.

 

Although arbor day had already pass, we saw a group of environmentalists planting trees in one of the many garden sections of the mountain. They were having so much fun I felt like jumping in and doing my part too. The garden is so pretty and bright purple flowers are in bloom welcoming the summer.

At every corner there was something interesting that caught my eye, like this tree it seemed to have sprouted from nowhere, so isolated. Do you notice the rope hanging on one its branches? How did that rope get there? Strange right?

I had a really good time with my colleague and friends. Getting myself outdoors and embracing with nature again, hearing the birds churp away and feeling the lash vegetation breathing and giving life to its surroundings. So rejuvenating!

When You’re 90, What’s Going to be on Your Mind?

This past Sunday together with a collegue and her friends, we hiked up Baiyun Mountain (more on that on a later post). On our way back from the hike we took a bus toYuexiu Park. It was on the bus that I met a 90 year old man.

This is our brief encounter:

Together with other passengers on the bus we helped the granpa to a seat next to me (the bus was moving and the poor man was tring to keep his balance). He sat down and said…
Granpa:  I’m 90 years old la!!
Me: Wow! You look well for your age!
Granpa: What’s so good about it? Sigh…
Me: Your health looks good and…
Granpa: Sigh…I’m 90 years old, there’s nothing great about that. I’m just waiting to die.
Me: ………..

I didn’t know what to say to the Granpa or what’s more apprpriate to say. I was just glad that he got off at the next station.

This got me thinking, if I get to live till 90 years or even more I want to live it like everyday is the last day. I’d bring happiness to the people around me,  tell them how beautiful life can be. One thing is for sure, I will not be waiting for my last day, I will only be waiting for my next day to come.  Cheer up Granpa!!

First Baby Shoot

This is my first baby shoot, although I didn’t have the proper lighting equipment and props to dazzle the Little Ms Precious but she was fun to shoot giving that Mommy didn’t mind letting her baby cry for the photos (this Mommy likes a natural pic, I think that’s how it should be capturing the good and bad side and it gives the baby something to laugh about when they get older.) So, with the baby in position, a play mat, some favourite toys and a room with some natural light,I was ready to click away.

This one is one of my favourites of the day:

This was kind of a posed picture, I had asked Mommy to hold the baby’s foot together and naturally they curled up forming a perfect heart shape with Mommy’s hands. I love it!!

Juefestival 2012

I’m so excited to share with you the 3 photographys I entered for the Juefestival 2012!! The main reason for me being so excited is that it’s my first photography competition, it’s a small step closer to a dream. : D

Juefestival is a platform for local photographers and artists to show case their works. This year the theme for the photography competition is “Work”. Each entrant is allowed to enter 3 of their best photographs based on the theme.

These are my 3 photographs:

I took this pictue while walking through the streets of Shamian Island. I saw the man’s bike drapped on the stone staircase while the man knocked on the doors to deliver his packages. Shooting his bike trying to get a good angle when a few seconds later the man comes out (probably aware that I was taking picture of his bike, and a bit surpised) with a big smile on his face as he looks at his cellphone (probably a message from a special someone), happily his hopes on his bike and rides away. It was nice to be part of his happy moment..oh, and did I metion that this was on a sunday? Yip, working on a sunday with that joy takes a lot of motivation.

Do we ever get enough time? Fast pace world…time is ticking….and it runs out before we know it. Tick tick tick.
I shot this one at IKEA, love their stuffs. The funny thing was I took this picture then the next week when I went their again this display was gone and replaced. Need for speed, anyone?

Shoes on the roof, how did they even get there? LOL. Wondering around the streets I saw these shoes so neatly placed on the roof, I had to take the pic. I waked closer to get a a better pic, at first I thought that the shoes gave off some funny smell…but then when I looked around and realized…dog poop…@.@..aiya!  

I had quite an adventure taking these pics and exploring new parts of the city.

New Mall

In this fast pace city it’s not surprising that skyscapers grow over night and hence new malls creep up along with them. It makes this place exciting and confusing at the same time…because things come and go so quickly that there’s no time for your brain to actually register its existence, and before you know it, it’s already gone (this applies to many of the restaurants here…now you see it, now you don’t…just when you fall in love with that warm slurppy bowl of noods…the next day it’s gone)

One my of of exploration days out in the city I discovered a new mall just close by the apartment ( it was an underground apartment, so that justifies the fact I didn’t intend to not notice it). This mall is right under the Tian He Sports Stadium (one the stadiums used for the 16th Asian Games 2010). My first impression, Christmasy/LadyGaga inspired. There was a bit of awkwardness mixed with some modern classical and Japanese manga scrambled with a splash of lighting deco, hectic mess that seem to work some how.

Overall a theme of Japanese pop culture set the tone of the mall. On one section there were lots of Japanese drawings and paintings. The hall way outside the shops were decorated with neon sign boards and red lanterns. In the other section gad a touch of sophistication but more Gaga inspired.  I got distracted by all the creative and cute little artworks done on the walls, I haven’t seen that in other malls here before so I went a bit crazy taking pics of them. 

There was  a wall about 10m long and 2.5m high and on it was this beautiful Japanese painting. I call it the “Beauty and Warrior Piece”  The bold outlines of the figures created movement it felt like the wall was going to cave in encapsulating this tragic love story frozen in time.

Loved these little cartoonie characters. They were almost everywhere, on every empty wall. Felt like I was swallowed into a cartoon world.

On the top left might seem like a painting of a boutique window but whats creative is that its painted on the emergency exit door…ok, it might seem inappropriate to do that but was a creative way to jazz up that exit door. The bottom left on the other hand is a ginormous slab of chocolate, well hello…? Chocolate, ring a bell? Now if this is not like living in a fairytale/story land…then I don’t know what is.

Happy weekend everyone!

Tian He Fashion Mall
Add: Ti Yu xi Road. Sports Center Underground

Could this be a postcard?

I was playing around onmy computer and came up with this….I love this effect, dreamy and timeless.