One Minute

No matter when we are awake or deep in sleep,
time elapses silently.

People usually remember some special days,
birthday,
anniversary,
earthquake happened somewhere,
or the day when two meet each other... ...

In fact, have we ever noticed at some particular moment,
where we were,
who we were staying with,
and what we saw?

That one minute, what were I doing?

Just read my friend Joyce's note,
and her sharing of the movie clip 'Days of Being Wild',
then I came up that question in mind.

One minute,
without heater or clothes in the coldness out there,
it is like a whole lifetime;
chatting with friends over some wines,
one minute could be like just one second;
staying with lovers,
it could be like just 1/10 second,
time passes really quick;
being apart from each other,
one minute is like one hour.

I remembered the one minute
at the countdown for a few years;
the one minute when I saw the sunrise in Croatia;
the one minute when I was crying outside St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican;
and also... ...

To me, a date means nothing,
instead, that one minute means a lot.


***
克羅地亞的一分鐘｜The one minute in Croatia.















梵蒂岡的一分鐘｜The one minute in Vatican.

一分鐘

無論我們清醒或在睡夢之中，
時間都會靜靜地流逝。

很多人會記得某些日子，
那是生日，
結婚紀念日，
唐山大地震的那天，
跟情人相識那天... ...

那，我們有否留意過某些時刻，
自己在那裡，
正在跟誰渡過，
眼裡收過那樣的影像？

就是那一分鐘，
我在做甚麼呢？

讀友人的文字，
和她分享的《亞飛正傳》片段，
我想到以上的問題。

一分鐘，
在冰封的世界，沒暖氣，沒保暖衣物，
感覺可以是一輩子的時間；
跟朋友一起談天說地，
那分鐘可以是一秒鐘而已；
與情人走在一起，
一分鐘也許只是十分一秒，
轉瞬即逝；
分開的時候，
一分鐘就好像一句鐘那樣。

我記得，
某幾年倒數的那一分鐘，
在克羅地亞的海上看見晨曦曙光的一分鐘，
於梵蒂岡的聖彼得廣場前落淚的一分鐘，
還有... ...

日子，對我來說，沒意義；
那一分鐘，才是最有意思的。
***
克羅地亞的一分鐘｜The one minute in Croatia.















梵蒂岡的一分鐘｜The one minute in Vatican.

Be My Guest

My friend said, 'you are still like a bird without legs.
Always thinking about flying away, and leaving.'

Partly right, but not the truth.

The truth is I am a bird with legs,
just that my legs are now temporarily stored somewhere else.

There, I could find
white truffles,
wine,
sunshine,
enchanting sunset,
vineyards without boundary,
opera house,
music, stage, arts,
history and culture... ...

Today,
I am a little bird hobbling,
and always thinking about flying away.
However, whenever I flew,
I would be coming back very soon.

Anyway,
I am confident that I will get my legs back,
and become a real bird.

When the day comes,
please be my guest.
I will get ready loads of
local food & wine for all of you.

Wait for me, dears!

宴客

朋友說我依然是沒腳的鳥，
還是想著出走，離開云云。

其實那不是事實之全部。

我是有腳的鳥，
只是我把腳暫存在某處而已。

那兒，
有白松露，
有酒，
有陽光，
有迷人的日落，
有一望無際的葡萄園，
有歌劇院，
有音樂，有舞台，有藝術，
還有歷史，有文化... ...

今天，
我這小鳥在一拐一拐走著，
並經常拍翼想飛，
飛不遠，又走回來。

然而，我有信心，
終有一天，我會跟那雙腳會合，
做隻真真正正有腳的鳥。

當那天來到的時候，
定必宴請各方好友到來，
以地道美酒佳餚會友。

大家，等我呀～！

我的新年餐單｜My New Year Dinner Menu

繼聖誕之後，又一新作。
為新年作好準備，
迎接新一年的開始，
和一切新挑戰！

Following the Christmas, here comes another new creative.
Get ready for the New Year,
be prepared to welcome more
new challenges!

***

我的聖誕餐單。｜My Christmas Menu.

終定好了：我的聖誕餐單。
一連兩晚的聖誕前夕和聖誕夜的晚宴。

多年沒在家過聖誕，今年於這兩個晚上，決定跟家人歡渡。

Finally fixed the Christmas Menu.
Big Feast for Christmas Eve & Christmas Night.

Haven't enjoyed these moments at home with family for years.
So, this year, I decided I would celebrate with my family at these festive moments.
***

A touching day which made me wanna cry

Yes, a really touching day which I had today.
Just wanna cry loud.

Yet, once again,
I want to say, it is not because I'm really sentimental or feeling sad,
it's just because I feel more than happy & thankful that I wanna cry.

Today,
I had some huge impact on my life, on my living;
I was touched by something, somebody;
I also got some 'undecided' feeling came up in my heart;
and I came across some touched feeling which I have not had for these years.

All everything
made me touched.

On this day,
I realized there are so many things which are not under MY control at all.
What I could do,
is actually 'let it go, let it be'.
Simploy nothing more than that.

Perhaps the touched feeling
actually came from this.. 'let it be'.

If we are meant to be going together, the day will certinaly come;
if not, we just said HI there when we met face to face,
it is still OK.
All I could is to say 'We will meet one day if it meant to be.'

Note: Friends, no worry. All words here not related to my relationship issues (which quite some friends have been hearing some kind of 'story' from me. Anyway.). All these are related to an interview I attended this morning, so that's the only reason why i was touched. Yes, it was the interview which was kind of one that I was so much emotionally attached to. Nothing much, everything fine, life still goes on. All well, just suddenly a few words about my feeling of the day.

感觸落淚的一天

是呀，感觸的一天，
很想大哭一場。

不過，重申，
哭，不是因為偒感，
而是因為感謝的心。

這一天，
遇到了打擊，
遇到了感動，
遇到了解釋不了的猶豫，
更遇到了這年多以來
沒感受過的心動感覺。

所有
令人為之動容。

同一天，
我明白到很多事情，
實不能強求，
因能盡人事，聽天命。

感謝的心，
就是源自這想法... 聽天命。

要是有緣，
總能相遇，走在一起。
若天意如此，
只能擦身而過，
有緣無份，
我亦只好默默地
打從心裡說一聲
「有緣再會。」

註：朋友，不用掛心。以上文字跟感情事完全沒有關係。事緣只是今早經歷的一個面試，因此有感而發。對，真的是一個面試，一個跟個人情緒和感情十分相關的面試。沒事，可好，不用掛，只想留言，以抒懷。

讀後感：《中國文化背景八千詞》（其中一章）

記得舊年，遇上了「詞窮」跟「語障」，今年，竟遇上「文盲同學會」。這些都令人感嘆，何以會來到如此境地，是那樣差嗎？

相信並非如此，只是我們有否花時間和心機去填補一些「距離」。

由年頭至今，刊登於報紙雜誌的文章、平日寫下來的FACEBOOK文字和自己個人網頁的篇章，加湊起來，想已達數萬字，就是刊於信報的旅遊稿就足一萬三千多字。沒想過會有一天，能寫下那樣多的中文字。只是當靈感湧現，停不了，墨水就那樣留在紙張之上，成為了我的生活印記。

常言「執筆忘字」，實在那會忘？揭穿了，根本是「執筆無字」，未讀過，不懂寫；未經歷過，不會寫。然而，明白要能寫，先要能讀，學明白詞彙，再理解如何把詞語串成有意思的句子篇章，才會寫出好文章。

自知出於我手筆的文章離「好文章」還有一大段路，多謝朋友安慰，跟我說作為一個香港人，母語非普通話，文筆尚算可以。不過，我還是覺得有點慚愧，今天的字裡行間，仍有點生硬之感，未如理想，不夠順暢。或許，那就是「詞窮」的問題吧。

於是，為了寫好文章，我希望每天都抽空多看幾頁書，多寫幾個字，他日必會有所進步。繼早前幾篇提過的中文書，今天又「失守」，本走進書店查詢自己心儀的三本書，怎料，買不到那三本，卻在書架上找來一本《中國文化背景八千詞》，正好合我心意，讓我有機會認識更多古今有意義的詞彙。

基於本身，我還在看《浮生六記》，只看過目錄，找找有沒有自己較有興趣的，先看一下吧！結果，我找到一章，題為「花是植物的精英」。當中，特別引起我注意的是「牡丹」。以下節錄了其中一句：

「唐未時洛陽牡丹最盛，因稱牡丹為洛陽花。」

看罷，只目瞪口呆。

個多星期前，我說要到洛陽賞雪。
昨天，媽買了牡丹回家，我在賞花。
今天，我決定一月要到洛陽走一趟。
同日，看了這句，知道洛陽跟牡丹有如此關係，只在想一切何以這麼巧合!?

話說回來，相信「距離」是可以填補的。只要我們肯抽點時間，花點精神，一切也有可能。

走多遠？

又走在荷李活道的街上，夜深的寂靜被我的踱步聲劃破了。以蝸牛的步伐走著，耳筒播著孫燕姿的歌聲，唱著「我的愛」；腦海先浮現那MTV之中的巴黎片段，然後有剛讀到的文字「當時只道是尋常」。

出自季羨林先生的手筆，這短句是書目「真話能走多遠」其中一章的篇目。內裡收錄了季先生於不同時期不同地點所記下的點滴和感想。只看了幾篇，我就忍不住想哭了。猜是因為內容牽動了某些思緒，心不期然在隱隱作痛。

也許如季先生所提到「路太長了，時間太長了，影子太多了，回憶太重了。」，致使心在痛。

不過，話說回來，縱使沉重心痛的感覺猶在，我衷心明白既成往事的已不再重要，如何把握眼前的一切和努力向前，展望將來，才是今天要做的。

後記：實不該到書局走，一個星期內，三回失敗之行。結果...
第一回: 'The Art of Travel' + 'The Yellow-Litghted Bookstore'
第二回: 'Speak With Power And Confidence'
第三回: 'IELTS' + '真話能走多遠' + '邊城' + '浮生六記' (另加某君相贈的 '致勝')

後記：孫燕姿「我的愛」

你以外的回憶都是彩色的，只有你的是黑白。｜All memories without you are colorful, only yours is B&W.

黑白的回憶只是腦海裡的紀錄，存封了。
Memories in B&W are only records in mind, archived.
***



玻璃碎片，每一塊都有自己的形狀，是獨特的。



玻璃碎片，既危險，又不再有用了。大多數人只會想盡快清理。那天，我在家打破了花瓶，的確想快點清理好，因為怕家人會不小心被玻璃割傷，我亦明白拾起玻璃碎片的危險性。不過，我覺得碎片還有用，可以成為另一件藝術品，用來紀念那花瓶。

My dream house

Have been so busy with work & family matters recently, I got such a tight schedule that I couldn't even have my own private time to think. Not to mention about going to beach, or enjoying a cup of coffee. Being someone 'workaholic' in the eyes of my friends, of course I believe I could stand for such a busy life. I have also accepted the fact that such would bring me some consequences like headache or stomach ache. However, on the other hand, being such a free-minded person and loving freedom so much, such kind of days are... pretty... difficult for me to tolerate.

Anyway, I believe I need to focus and spend 10x effort to finish up all the work in hand, plus fulfill all the responsibilities I have taken up. I hope the day when I can leave all these behind will come soon, and then I will find my 'dream house'. After that, I can live the life I like, looking at the sea and chatting with the seagulls everyday...


A house along the seaside in Italy.

我那「夢想的家」

近來的工作家事，讓我沒閒暇空想，莫說因為天氣冷而未能到沙灘曬太陽，就連好好的享受一杯咖啡的時間也沒有了。作為朋友眼中那「沒時停的工作狂」來說，當然我能承受那種緊迫的生活節奏，更不期然接受了一切後果，例如食無定時及頭痛胃痛。不過，另一邊廂，以我那愛好隨心和自由的本性，這樣的日子，實不容易度過...

無論如何，我明白今天的自己需要十倍努力去完成手上的工作和承擔一切與我有關的責任。希望有天我能功成身退，找到我那「夢想的家」，過我真正喜歡的生活，天天看海，跟海鷗說笑...

意大利海邊的一間屋。

那一天的日落。｜The Sunset.

意大利的日落。｜The sunset in Italy.

***
忘不了的一刻。｜The unforgettable moment.

隨風去。

年前的一張相，它讓我看見風。



頭痛欲裂，迫使我不得不暫時放下工作和失約。實要公開道歉，請見諒。
幸得上天厚愛，讓我可以於星期五的晚上，支持得到，過了一個有酒相伴的晚上，還有好友和音樂的陪伴，亦開心朋友可碰上可遇不可求的舊朋友。（可惜，酒到，病不除，只感氣弱得很。）

這個晚上的言談，讓我有所發現。

多謝朋友關心小妹的愛情生活，還說笑要為我作媒人；亦多謝友人問候，關於已成過去的一段情。其實，我早就明白到一切已經隨風去，沒記掛，亦沒在意。莫說是那一段，甚至是曾經歷過的幾段情，也早已轉化成了我筆下的故事。

相信，今天介懷的是眼前的人和當下的自己。實在，我計較的是個人有沒有能耐照顧自己及身邊的人。或許，不是放不下昨天，而是特別在意今天，似乎還未能做好自己，去承擔，去為一個他擋風擋雨。

然而，有趣的是，友人的一個題問，沒想過我會有那樣的答案。走了那麼多的路，更揚言要走到世界的盡頭，看看那兒的天空有多高有多廣，我竟說的確想停下來，歇息了。同時，答案跟以上言論有點背道而馳...

大概是頭痛得瘋了吧!? 希望那不是另有別意的答案。

說到底，想不來，談不過。但願身邊每一個都安好，若有不如意的或不期然還在記掛的，放輕點，讓一切隨風飛去吧！

後記：很想去吹吹風，可惜經過昨晚的清風洗禮，就知道要暫別涼風... ...

Sense of Life

Thanks for everyone teaching me so much, and through all learning, I discovered quite some sense of life. I bet what I called 'sense of life' is indeed some sort of opinions I have in mind based on my experience and thoughts.

Not sure if it is good or bad to have such sense of life at this stage of life. Yet, it is here already, so just take it easy and live with that all through my journey of life.

However, I believe it is not easy to go through my journey if i keep walking like how I do now. Might be just don't walk, fly or speed drive to get it through...

[Remarks]
What I have learnt is not something philosophical. The most inspiring ones are:
1) PhD = poor, hungry and desperate
2) Everyone got an A: A shoulder!
3) Something gonna be out of your control. It doesn't matter if you want to do that or not, you still have to do that.
4) Ask yourself what you have done first.
5) Something not your business, you can just ignore; something your business, you can still ignore.
6) Language is the biggest barrier of communications.

人生道理

多謝各方人士那樣慷慨，指點迷津，讓我悟到不少人生道理。相信這些所謂道理，實只不過是個人的感受，經過歲月沖洗和經歷，再加上多番思索而得出來的一些見解。

雖不知道在這個時候就得出這些見解，是好是壞，不過，既已領會，那就「既來之，則安之」，好好跟這些「道理」一直走下去吧。

然而，這路不易走，我看下一步，我不是要學會如何走，而是要去學輕功，又或者去學車，學「飄移」...

［後記］
其實學會了的道理... 不如哲學那樣高深，概括而言，最令人感歎的有以下幾則：
1) PhD = poor, hungry and desperate
2) 個個都A，A字膊呀!
3) 「身不由己」的真義。
4) 「歸咎於身，刻己自責」的意味。
5) 事不關己，己不勞心；事關己，亦可不勞心。
6) 言語才是溝通的最大隔閡。

靈感。

「'妳啲靈感，喺邊度嚟呀？」

我不懂得回答的問題。沒回應，然後朋友說：「妳一定是個複雜的女人。」

實在，相信每一個女人都是那樣的複雜和難以猜透。這一秒鐘，她是快樂的，在笑；下一秒鐘，她忽然在叫，在叫嚷，即使穿了高跟鞋，還可以在大叫大跳，甚至可以忽然哭起來。女人！

話說回來，何來那麼多的靈感。想是那是來自心，來自愛。因為一份同理心、一份愛、那份情、所有的朋友和舊愛、舊情人，一切加湊起來，給我帶來那些靈感。

曾聽別人說沒有靈感。然而，無論生活有多枯燥或工作有多乏味，每個人的心目中或腦海裡都會有個人的靈感。有或沒有，分別就在於我們能否從心中發掘出那絲靈感及有沒有法子找到方法去釋放內在的潛能，並且表達得到內心感受。

無論如何，好好向前走，繼續找出方向，開開心心過每一天吧！

Inspiration

'Where came all the inspiration?'

That was a very good question which I didn't really know how to answer. Without an answer there, my dear friend said 'you must be a very complex woman.' Well... hmmmm.....

Women are always that 'complex' and unpredictable. This second, she is happy; next second, she suddenly screams, yells, jumping on her high heel, or even crying all a sudden without saying a word... whatever, that's women.

Back to that question, I guess the answer is... 'all came from my heart, because of love.' Probably it's because of the sympathy, because of love, because of the feeling, because of all my friends, because of my ex- and lover(x)... all these have brought me the inspiration.

Sometimes, I heard people saying 'lack of inspiration'. Indeed, I believe there is always inspiration - no matter how dull the life you are living, or how boring your job is. It's just a matter whether you can uncover that inspiration sleeping in your heart, and if you could find the way to releash that potential and make the way to express the inspiration.

Anyway, keep going, keep looking for the way, and be happy!

永不言倦。

永不言倦，亦不會輕言放棄，還要全力以赴。

***
在過去幾個月，遇上了前所未有的衝擊，正面的和負面的也有，還大病了一場，咳了個多月。
默言了好一陣子，我比以往更加用心聆聽別人的話。同時間，我多花了時間去觀察四周的人和事。又因為寫稿的原故，我開始思索關於自身的問題和再次回顧過去所累積的經驗。

歲月流逝，沒有人可以離開那個時間巨輪，即使我們有多想抓住青春，它依然會靜悄悄地離我們而去。隨著它離開的，有時還有我們未能成就的理想。湊巧，遠方好友來港，大家走在一起，把酒談歡話當年，對話讓我重拾了一些遺忘已久的思維。

曾被遺忘，非代表永遠消失；未能成就的理想，雖隨青春離開過，亦不等於理想就此煙消雲散。近月的思索和跟好友的對談，使我意會到自己的思維跟理想，沒有褪色，只是上面多了其他色彩，把原先的蓋過了。多得數個月以來的觀察及回望，我發現經歷加強了個人的思維組織，理想還變成了人生的理念。

猜理念在不知不覺間成為了一種動力，使我不言倦，縱使眼前面對的有多艱鉅，還是不會輕言放棄，相反，我要全力以赴，精益求精。至於思維組織則是成就理念，達成夢想的基礎。不敢揚言道自己有十足把能夠完夢，然而，信念能至使自己以最好的去做每一件事，相信終有一天會到達終點，完成大業。

雪裡紅

火爆了一整天（其實也不只一天，好幾天了！），不是因為心情壞透，又或因為心中有任何憤恨，反而是因為心裡的烈焰，還不斷在燃燒著。也許是因為情感作祟，加上音樂藝術和來自各方的言詞及分享，讓十萬股創意直湧上心頭。

朋友說中了，因為觸動，所以要落淚。提到落淚，多數人會想起負面的情緒，甚至是感傷的淚。實在，落淚的原因可以是感動至哭，是樂觀的，是因為快樂而垂淚。

所謂「不如意事，十常八九」，很少數人能避開每天的生活裡所遇上的生活繁瑣之事，它們的確讓人容易感到厭煩及疲憊不堪，一些人還會為五斗米的問題而懊惱不已。然而，在一切的雜亂當中，其實隱藏著無限的快樂。

相信快樂來自情感，不只是對他那份情，還有身邊每一個人，又或每一件物。情感讓我有靈感創作，而我從來都不懂得對自己說謊，坦白的情感使我可以清晰表達自己的思想。

猜就是那份坦率帶來那熊熊的烈焰。

不過，與此同時，我發現在那火紅之外，似乎裹上了厚厚的雪。今年的雪像北京那場來得早了點，更勢不可擋。會否如電視裡看見的樹枝那樣，因為積雪太重而倒下來，也許要看天意或自己的造化了。

後記：另一新發現是原來我不懂對某些人坦白，永遠都是口不對心的。

機件故障: 煞車不靈

轉咗上高速公路，先發覺個煞車器壞咗。煞車不靈，點算好呢？有咩意外，停唔到。。。

無言｜感觸｜動容

多謝好友邀請，參加了她和他的婚禮和晚宴。有著說不出的感觸，他們的幸福和甜蜜使人為之動容。

我看婚姻不只是一種制度，或是一個承諾而已。那標誌著兩個人的結合和對雙方的真誠及愛意；也代表了一個接一個的世代，繼續延展下去。至於婚宴，除了是讓新人公告天下「我們決定走在一起了！」，更是他們分享喜悅和幸福並接受各親友祝福的時刻。

有說婚姻是男人的戀愛墳墓，而對女孩子來說，則可能是一個「終點」，不少現代的新娘子亦會在婚宴上高呼「我有人要喇，嫁得出喇！」。實在，婚姻意味著兩個人的愛情更上一層樓，非是故事的結局，反而是故事的開端。

兩個人走進新的共同生活，所要學習的不只是跟愛人的相處之道，還有相互的體諒和無分彼此的關顧，更重要的是聆聽與溝通，同時，亦要懂得包容及尊重。

走在時代巨輪的新世代，對於所謂「傳統的觀念」、現代愛情觀或價值觀，也許會別有一番見解和體會。沒有對或錯，只是個人的選擇取捨和信念有別而已。

說到底，撇下世俗所加諸的思想和觀念，每個人都懂得愛，那是天賦的。若然是遇上了那一個他/她，哪怕世俗所帶來的繁瑣？無論決定一起面對或逃避，只要心連心，挽著手走過去，就是了。

家傳速讀秘方。

妹問：「姊，我現在有十本書，N 份’note-屎’。又冇咩時間，點讀晒佢呀？點記呀？」
姊答：「妹，先燒晒佢，再加四碗水，煮埋一碗，飲咗佢。就得架喇！」

妹心想：「唔係啩... 我幾時變咗巫婆妹妹呀?」

沒有人聲的對話。（下）

在那個音樂飄飄的環境下，我沒怎說話，只懂低頭微笑。笑，因為想起曾遇過的無言時刻，雖然沒有人聲，沒有說出口的字句，但就是一個眼神的交流，或只不過是相視而笑，經已對話過了。

也許人生之中，有緣遇上過這樣無言的對話，已經是一份福氣。能夠好好保存這份福氣所帶來的滿足，值得慶賀，亦足以讓我回心微笑。

沒有人聲的對話。（上）

連續幾個週末，都到了中環一個小角落的音樂地帶。這個星期六，更在那兒度了一個通宵晚上。（在此，亦希望跟友人致歉，因為星期六的通宵，最終體力不支，星期六爽約了。對不起！）

雖沒有人聲，但我聽到音樂人透過音符在對話。對話當中，有些是激昂的、平和的、哀傷的、亢奮的、輕快的... ... 一時在高談闊論，一時在竊竊私語，一時在捧腹大笑。

自己沒有加入對話的能耐，然而，能夠作為旁觀者，那已足夠了。


（待續）

美麗的故事，總帶點感傷。

因為星期五晚上飯局期間的一席話，忽然有感而發。

***
關於「愛情」的一席話。
愛情到底是甚麼來的，一直都是個謎。科學家會用生物學的角度
去解釋；社會學家或會用兩性關係的論點去剖析；藝術家就會用
美學去表現愛；音樂家或電影人則會用聲音和影像去感染觀眾，
希望他們產生一種共鳴，從而表達何謂愛。

似乎各個單位都不期然把愛情建基於自己的專業知識或技能之上，
透過不同的語言和意象去演繹愛情。然而，當有智慧又有知識的
他們遇上了「愛情」的時候，能否放下個人的身份或一己之見，
坦誠去愛，並且相信兩個人走在一起，大家之間的愛是出自一份
真摰的心，任何學識或在現實世界中的地位，根本不重要。
　
總覺得經歷讓人明白愛，但未必令人懂得去愛。要真正學懂如何
去愛，我看是要學會付出、認識自己、了解對方、互相包容、遷就
和體諒。說到底，這些跟一個人的學歷或知識水平不一定有關係。
所有關於愛的，都是源自心，是與生俱來的。若是兩個人都以真心
相處，那管大家受過甚麼世俗的薰陶？

一席話的反思。

又一次遇上讓人反思的一席話。湊巧，這天下午，讀到星座運程的文字，讓我若有所想。星座所說，節錄如下：
"Since early this year there has been talk or dramatic changes in how or where you live and work. Obviously, such matters require intense thought. With the events striggered by the recent full moon you will begin to take these ideas far more seriously than before."

於是，這個晚上，我在想那一席話，在想曾於這一年當中出現過的想法。

結論是，我定必要離開香港。同時，我發現自己再找不到留下來的原因... ...

沉醉｜陶醉｜迷醉

又過了一個「愉快星期五夜晚」：認識了新朋友「老老」和旅遊攝影人，亦跟摯友與酒精大戰！
12.5 EST!EST!!EST!!! di Montefiascone white wine + 40 vodka + 40 tequila + 56 二锅头!! 乾！

沉醉於酒精當中的同時，還有音樂和掌聲相伴。雖自己沒有丁點音樂天份，亦算不上懂得欣賞音樂，但置身音樂的世界中，感受到一份抽離日常繁華世界的感覺。陶醉！

離開音樂酒吧，在外面坐了一會，望著對面的藝術酒吧，忽然明白為何我會那樣迷醉於此。是因為我在這裡找到生命的最基本：沒煩惱的快樂。

能夠找到一個地方或一些時刻，拋開煩惱，盡情享樂，難得也！


＊＊＊
將進酒
李白

君不見黃河之水天上來，
奔流到海不復回？
君不見高堂明鏡悲白髮，
朝如青絲暮成雪？


人生得意須盡歡，
莫使金樽空對月。
天生我才必有用，
千金散盡還復來。
烹羊宰牛且為樂，
會須一飲三百杯。
岑夫子，丹丘生，
將進酒，杯莫停。
與君歌一曲，
請君為我傾耳聽：
鐘鼓饌玉不足貴，
但願長醉不願醒。


古來聖賢皆寂寞，
唯有飲者留其名。
陳王昔時宴平樂，
斗酒十千恣讙謔。


主人為何言少錢？
徑須沽取對君酌。
五花馬、千金裘。
呼兒將出換美酒，
與爾同銷萬古愁。

【拆解|結】的啟示

某月某日，姊替來自捷克的Pinocchio清潔，不小心把繩打了Ｎ個結，使它動彈不得。今天，十.一假期，我終於解了結。

其實，談不上是「解結」，因為我最後採取了的方法：從新再整理繩子。

Pinocchio的身上，連繫著共九條繩：頭、肩、背、手和腳。它們分別連在一個「工」字形木架，而我一直解不開的結，就在於在木架和Pinocchio之間，所有繩子亂作一團，令它動彈不得！

起初，不敢解開繩子打在木架或Pinocchio身上的結。然而，真的找不了法子。我今天把心一橫，解了七個結，把繩子解下來，從新再處理，變回「原裝」那樣子。看見Pinocchio，有如重獲新生!

啟示：打結了，不要緊。當要解開這個結的時候，目標不一定是落在那一個結，而是用甚麼方法去解開這個結，著手處可能是在結的周邊哩！只要多點觀察，洞悉環境，或許有意外收獲。

動彈不得的Pinocchio...

要實現夢想，先要學懂實踐。

想每一個人都有自己的夢想。所謂「夢想」，或許就是自己想做的事。現實中，這很有可能跟金錢掛鈎，要不是需要花錢，就是要放棄賺錢的機會。然而，可有想過把夢想轉化成經濟來源，以維持生活，並同時做自己想做的事？

自己經常在想，如何可以達成這願望。不是因為「唔想做」，而是想個人的生命旅途更有意義，亦不想因為工作賺錢而放棄享受人生的時間。於是，我努力發掘自己的才能和才華，希望可以找到時機，一展所長。同時，我亦明白到若果只是空想的話，根本不會成事，夢想只會變成遠而無望的虛無。

要實現夢想，先要學懂實踐。這個過程，不算太難，但要有相當的耐性和努力，更要不斷改進，還要有健康的身體和良好的心理狀況才可。最後，不容忽視的是做人的態度，無論對生命，對生活，對個人，以至身邊的每一個人和每一件事，都要懂得尊重。

祝各位，夢想成真。

誰｜身份

玻璃碎片，每一塊都有自己的形狀，是獨特的。



玻璃碎片，既危險，又不再有用了。大多數人只會想盡快清理。那天，我在家打破了花瓶，的確想快點清理好，因為怕家人會不小心被玻璃割傷，我亦明白拾起玻璃碎片的危險性。不過，我覺得碎片還有用，可以成為另一件藝術品，用來紀念那花瓶。
***
當朋友提到自己只是中環千千萬萬位OL的其中一人，沒有「身份」，我不禁問了一句：「身份，真的那樣重要嗎？」心想，是沒有了身份，就會感到一點點的不安心，甚至搞不清眼前的路該如何走？

雖不至迷失，但就是令人有點忐忑。到底那是怎麼一回事呢？猜那是一個人活著的時候，總會不期然想找到某種「存在價值」的認同。而這種認同，是要靠別人賦予的。而怎樣才可以得到這樣的認同呢？似乎朋友的話告訴我，她的工作/職業就是「認同」的來源，某程度上，那就代表了自己的「身份」。

或許，我心底裡也在找尋自己的身份。然而，我並不覺得自己需要擁有，又或許其實我已經擁有了。不需要，因為我認為我只是人生旅途之中的一個過客，「我」不重要，有沒有一個身份，也沒重要；已經擁有，是因為我知道我是誰，知道我愛的是甚麼。

因為愛酒，我從事了葡萄酒行業，而朋友都知我好酒，基本上我的職業/身份，就是「酒鬼」；
因為愛旅遊，我不惜一切，放下工作，要周遊列國。漸漸地，朋友都知道我愛「出走」。最近，我還遇上機緣，一償所願，成了「FREELANCE 旅遊版作者」，讓我的文字和相片得以在報紙全版面世，似乎「喜歡出走」成了我的另一個身份；
因為沒完沒了的創作意念，寫大字、寫西洋書法、插花、攝影、寫作、製作網頁... ... 結果，朋友說我是一個藝術人，又多了一個身份。

尋找身份的過程，其實就是那麼簡單的一回事，一切從心出發，身份就會「走上門」。來到了，給它（們）一個吻，好好抱緊！

*** ***
後記：想我反問朋友「身份，真的那樣重要嗎？」的同時，我心底裡是覺得自己擁有了身份的認同，但卻暗地裡覺得可能沒有身份，也不錯呀！何以這麼說？當那「身份」在別人腦海裡變得根深蒂固，無論你怎麼說，也不能擺脫。當然你可以說，「人哋點睇，係人哋嘅事」，然而，在群體社會生存，總不能不理會周邊的說話。實際點說，我的身份為我帶來的（小小）麻煩有... ...

「酒鬼」的身份使人覺得我任何時候都會千杯不醉，尤其遇上「癲婆」（或「癲佬」），明明只想喝一杯餐酒，結果會緊隨N 杯 shooters；
「愛出走」的身份使人覺得我很富有，但其實我旅行時所花費的金錢未必比得上朋友一年花在裝扮自己的金錢，而我不多花費在自己的裝扮。說到底，只是大家花在不同的嗜好之上；
「藝術人」的身份讓人覺得我做事漫無目的，摸不著邊際，而此乃從事商務工作的一大忌（話晒，我都係商學院畢業，又做過exchange student, 到過全球排名不遜的美國XXX大學讀書，又代表大學於美國出席case competition，我學會：認定目標和實踐的重要呀！）。

另一個世界（下）

從朋友的相簿，我看見另一個世界。那個世界跟我之間的距離，是實在的，可以「飛行里數」來量度。在那個世界生活著的人，或許只知道有自己的一個家，有自己周邊的親人和朋友，甚至從沒想像過自己的家以外，有另一個世界。不過，當他們遇上來自另一個世界的人，大家之間的距離不一定會因為那些「飛行里數」而拉遠了；相反，即使雙方未必能夠以言語溝通，但就是一個微笑，或者一刻點頭，足以讓人感受得到那種「零距離」。

近年來的遊歷使我明白到那種「零距離」的珍貴，亦令我不禁問自己，何以在香港的時候，總覺得跟周遭環境或身邊某些人隔著不知多少里，好像大家來自不同的世界。歸根究底，是大家沒有溝通，還是大家各自都從來沒有放開自己，讓自己走出「我」的世界，從而拉近大家的距離？



那年，我就在意大利感受到那種「零距離」。

四位小朋友跟父母，一家六口，從自己居住的城市，搭火車到弗羅倫斯度週末。
記得他們的母親坐在我旁邊的位子，她起初用意大利文跟我說了些甚麼，我作了個不明白所以的樣子。
然後，她以僅有的英語問我到哪兒，我只以目的地的名字回答說：「Bologna。」
之後，她說了個意大利文的單字，我知她想問我是否在那兒讀大學，而我只懂用意大利文的單字告訴她不是，是來旅遊。

說罷，火車離開車站，開動了。
鄰座的母親拿出杯子給孩子，還有果汁和餅乾，她更遞給我一隻杯子，給我倒了些果汁，又給了我餅乾。
盛情難卻，我接了果汁和餅乾，微笑道謝。

Another World - Part II.

In the photos taken by my friend, I saw another world there. The distance between that world and myself is 'real', which could be measured by 'mileage' as in those frequent flyer programs. Some of the people living in that world may only know there is the home where they stay, relatives and friends whom they know. Perhaps they never realize there is another world out there existing somewhere. Yet, when they meet some people from the outside world, they may not be that far away from the 'strangers' in heart. Although they may not be able to communicate with the 'strangers' because of the language barrier, a smile or just simply a nod could tell there is 'zero distance' between these people.

In fact, all the travelling experience in recent years have made me realize the treasurable 'zero distance'. It has also triggered myself to question how come in Hong Kong, I found there is quite a distance between myself and some people around. It's like we are from different world. So, is it because we never communicate? Or it is because we have never opened up ourselves, and let us step out from "ME" which is the centre of 'my world'?



Some years ago, I was there in Italy. It was the time when I felt that 'zero distance'.

The four little kids were with their parents, travelling from the city where they live to Florence for weekend holiday.
I still remembered their mom was sitting next to me. When she saw me, she started talking in Italian. All I could do was showing her a facial expression that I don't understand. Then she spoke to me in her 'limited' English vocabularies, asking me where I was going.
I just responded with one word 'Bologna', the name of the city where I was heading to.
Then she said an Italian word, which I believed she wanted to ask me if I was studying university in Bologna.
My feedback was in Italian, 'No, tourist'.

The train then left the station and moved again.
The lady then took out from the bag some cups, a carton of juice and some packs of biscuits for the kids.
Then all a sudden, she brought me a cup and poured some juice for me. She even gave me a pack of the biscuit!
As courtesy, I took the cup of juice and biscuit. SMILE [THANK YOU].

另一個世界（上）｜Another World - Part I

以為自己是旅遊癲，怎知身邊有更瘋狂的旅客朋友。
看她的FACEBOOK相簿，有如在看一本圖文並茂的世界地圖集。
雖然個人未能如她一樣，幾乎走遍世界的每一個角落，但透過她的相片，我看到另一個世界。

Thought that I am crazy about travelling, but I realized there is another even crazier traveller friend.
Looking at her photo albums on facebook is like flipping through a world atlas with pictures.
Although I couldn't make it travelling around like she did, I love looking at her photos.
I see another world there.

塵緣一刻, 就是一輩子。

「聽君一席話，勝讀十年書」。

一席話，可能只是一刻的緣份，但當中的意義和往後的影響，很可能是一輩子的。感謝我遇過的每一個人，特別是朋友的分享，還有前輩賜教，讓我獲益良多。

透過對話，我跟相遇上的人有所交流，而這些交流就是智慧累積的根源。

這種「智慧」跟一個人的學歷和從書本上所學到的知識沒甚關係，那是關於生活的，是閱歷所帶來的，是人生哲理。能否建立起這種「智慧」來，是十分個人化的。首先是一個人能否放低自我，心平氣和及用心聆聽，同時願意分享個人的經驗和見解，最後是靜下來的思考，把所見所聞轉化成「智慧」。

同樣重要的是孕育「智慧」，需要「空間」。所謂「空間」，指的並非交流的場地，而是一個人的心胸。擁有個人立場和原則是需要的，但同時亦要懂得容納各家的意見，才能修成正果。

也許會有人覺得這些「智慧」，只是「廢話之說」，不切實際和不賺錢的；然而，直覺告訴我，「智慧」使人活得快樂和感到富足。

驚覺十年 (下)

(續)

因為一個機緣，我進軍了「酒界」。

自少對飲食都頗為挑剔，可以因為不喜歡那味道，不喜歡那質感，絕口不吃。又發現自己算是好酒，雖說正式地接受關於酒的教育不算長久，但似乎有丁點天份，讓我有著一個「夢想」，或許有一天可以寫食評!!

離開了那經常需要我到外地的工作，就在想自己喜歡甚麼... 找那樣的工作好呢？想呀想...最後發現自己太愛意大利了，希望可以有一日到意大利移民去也。於是，在沒工作的日子，我四出尋找方法，讓我可以進軍意大利的公司。然而最後，沒有意大利公司，反而到了一間賣酒的公司做市塲部的職位。

因為這個機緣，正式開始了一種新的生活。

其實，每一個行業，每一份工作，都有其"厭煩"之處。不過，有感「酒界」算得上是最不厭煩行業的表表者，因為某程度上，愛酒之人都比較熱愛自由無拘束的生活方式，即使大家有多重視平日的生活，有多緊張，當談起酒來，那種喜悅，歡愉的心情，真的難以言喻。亦因此，「酒界」的工作讓我認識了一班很要好的朋友。就算是「客人」，大家一起分享好酒，樂趣無窮。就這樣，我愛上了這一個行業。對酒的愛好程度，有增無減。

同時間，因為酒，更愛吃。多了嘗試以往較少吃的東西，主要是想多認識不同的味道，好讓我可以好好的為美食，配上佳餚；又或為佳餚，配上美酒。

又因為酒，我多次穿梭於世界各地，去找尋美食佳餚。法國佳釀，意大利白松露，葡萄牙砵酒，匈牙利甜酒，西班牙海鮮...

回想十年前，沒想過有一天，可以把興趣完全融入工作當中。不知十年後，又會如何呢？能否更進一步，加插另一興趣「藝術」呢?

後記: 一提到「回想十年前」，就驚覺十年光陰就那樣過去了... 其實，根本無從得知下一個十年，會過哪樣的日子，亦沒法猜想得到我的人生又能否再有其他機緣遇到更好的工作，遇上更多的知己好友。不過，總之，今天的我學會了珍惜現在所擁有的一些，包括在此花時間閱讀我所寫的各位好友。即使我跟你/妳從未親身相遇上過，不過能透過文字，而有所交流，那也是緣份。

After 10 Years (II)

(continued)

Chance. A chance has brought me into the wine industry.

Since my childhood, I have been quite ‘picky’ about food & beverage stuff. If ever I don’t like some taste, or some texture in the food ingredients or dish, I would rather not eating at all. I also found myself loving wines. Although I didn’t start my education in wines long ago, I thought I did have some sort of ‘talent’ in terms of food & wine. Therefore, I had a dream – I hope I could become a food critic one day!

Leaving the company which has brought me lots of business travel opportunities, I started asking myself again and again, what I like, and what kind of job I want. After some thinking, I believed that I liked Italy really so much that I wanted to find a job in an Italian company. Then eventually, perhaps I can migrate to Italy one day. So, when I was still jobless at that time, I started looking for a job in an Italian company. Yet, finally, I couldn’t make it for that. Instead, I got a job in a wine company.

With this chance, I started my new career and new life.

In fact, no matter which industry one is working in, there is something about this job or industry, which is quite annoying. Luckily, I found ‘wine industry’ is one of the least annoying industry. To some extent, I think wine lovers would live their lives with lot of freedom. It doesn’t really matter how stressful their work has made them, or how much they care about their everyday life, they are so happy & excited when they talk about wines. Sometimes, such feeling could not be described at all.. Because of my work in the wine industry, I met a lot of good friends who love wines too. The time with them are so much enjoyable and I am so glad to have them sharing the fun time & wines together. At the end, I found my job in the wine industry lovely. My interest towards wines keep growing… growing…

At the same time, because of wines, I started trying all those types of food which I have never tried before. I got less ‘bias’ towards those which I hate the taste or texture before. The main reason doing this is to have a better understanding towards food & wine, understand better the flavors, textures, etc, so as to do a better food/ wine match.

Because of wines, I got the opportunities and passion to go around the World to search for the very original flavors. French wines, Italian white truffle, Portuguese port, Hungarian sweet wines, Spanish seafood…

I am sure I have never thought of this kind of life 10 years ago. Now, I feel like I could merge my interest and work together. Basically, integrated. Perhaps 10 years later, I could merge my another interest into work? Another interest… Arts.

P.S. Once thinking about “10 years ago”, I realized time really flies, 10 years have passed already. I could not foresee what would happen in the next 10 years, and whether I would meet some more great friends, or get another better job. No one knows. What I know today definitely, I do treasure all I possess today – including all of you reading my words here. Even though we might have never met before, but the communications here through my words is already some kind of affinity that brings people together.

驚覺十年 (上)

「如果我早十年... 那就好了。」

「十年前, 或許會... 今日, 不會了。」

間中就會聽到以上的說話。總覺得提到「時間消逝」的字句，都帶點感慨。而這種感覺多在香港人身上發現得到。

從來都認為香港的生活很急速，甚至有點兒侷促。可能是地利環境的影響，屋子細細的；也可能是工作環境影響，未必每一個人都有那空間去發揮；又或者是一個在香港長大的孩子，根本就從來都沒有那空間去發展自己真正的潛能或興趣，總之，知道「錢」是最重要，畢業就想著找份工作，可以年薪過數十萬...

起初在廣告公司的工作，實在有點感到是「非人生活」。從某個角度看，可能是自己「唔捱得」。不過凡事兩面看，即使自己「捱得」，那又如何呢？三年後，五年後，十年後，又會怎樣呢？於是，沒多久，就離開了心儀已久的廣告界。「曾經擁有」就足夠了。

想著想著，問自己，其實喜歡甚麼。機緣之下，遇上了當時的一個職位空缺。讓我找到自己喜歡的，那是「出外工幹」。到過德國，美國，中國大陸... 幾乎一年之中，有一半的日子都不在香港。每次「在線上」，朋友都總會問「妳在哪兒呢?」。

過了好一段這樣的日子，又開始問自己，這真的是我想過的生活嗎？又再問，我喜歡做市塲學的工作，那會否找一份工作是銷售我喜愛的產品呢？

最後，我找到了。又另一個機緣，進軍「酒界」....

(待續)

After 10 Years (I)

"If I started 10 years ealier... that would probably be better..."

"10 years ago, maybe I would do that. But now, I don't think so..."

Sometimes, I heard these from friends around. All these about 'time' sounds quite depressing, with some kind of 'sadness' in that. I found such quite common among Hong Kong people.

I always think that the pace in Hong Kong is just too fast, perhaps a bit suffocating indeed. Not sure if that is because of the environment with packed housing, or because of the working atmosphere where not everyone could have the chance to really utilize their strengths. It might also because of the education of children grown up in Hong Kong. The most important is MONEY, which is the very key thing they have to look for after they graduate from school. Perhaps they never really had a chance to develop their talent and ask themselves what their interests are.

I started my career in advertising, which was the working field I had been dreaming of. However, after working there for a while, I stareted asking myself "What's next? How about 3 years later? 5 years? 10 years?" Looking from one side, perhaps I was not that 'tough' making me not that capable to stay; on the other hand, even if I were 'tough' enough, what's so special staying? Then, I decided to leave advertising. At least, I did try.

The next question I asked myself 'What do I like actually?'. There came an opportunity, which made me realize I like working away from Hong Kong. I got the chances to make some business trips to Germany, USA, the Mainland China. In a year, probably half of the time I was away. Most of the time when I got 'online', my friends would asked "Where are you?".

That definitely was an interesting job. Yet, after quite some while, I started asking myself again "Is this the life I want to live?" And then, I questioned myself, "Ok, seems I really like doing a Marketing job. But then should I choose the product I like, so I can do better in Marketing, and have more fun?"

Next, I found it. I started working in the wine industry...

(To be continued)

曾經年輕過

記得年前在某晚宴上，遇到一位新相識的朋友。席間，他跟我說羨慕我年輕。沒有多想，我的回應是：「你也曾年輕過，又何須羨慕呢？」

今天晚上，跟朋友談起「心中一團火」的話題，心有點兒悶悶的，確實有點感觸。亦讓我想起年前跟那有過一面之緣的商務朋友，和跟他的對話－關於「年輕」的對話。

每個人都總曾年輕過。

「年輕」總讓人想起「心中一團火」，是年輕的人因為未經過歲月沖洗，多會對周遭的事物特別好奇，及擁有著某種力量，令他們大膽去嘗試。然而，當我們經歷的多了，就會在不知不覺間，沒有了年輕時的那種衝勁。是經歷讓我們今日看到的跟舊日的不同。朋友說自己已不再年輕，心中的那團火或許已經熄滅了。即使火還在微微的燃燒著，但間中總會想起舊日的那團火比現在的要旺盛多了。

無論如何，在人生不同的階段，總會有不同的追求。也許是我們變得深思熟慮，所謂「成熟了」；又或是我們被世界嚇壞了，不情願再去挑戰周邊的事情了；亦可能是我們「看化了」，把身邊的都看成過眼雲煙，一切都不再在乎了。對我來說，那團火，不重要，因為... 我感到自己心中的那團火其實早已熄滅了... 再不回來了。於是，好好的過日子，好好把握眼前的，珍惜有緣遇上的，那更重要。

祝君安好。

Once I was young

I remembered once I attended a business dinner, and I met a new friend there who said to me, "So envy you, you are so young." My instant response to that was, "You were once young too! Why envy?"

Then tonight, I chatted with my friend about the topic "Youth" as implied by having the 'fire' buring in heart. This conversation indeed made me bit upset, and reminded me that dialogue between myself & that business friend.

Everyone was once young.

"Youth" reminded us the 'fire', the 'energy'. Perhaps because young people have not experienced that many things, they are curious about almost everything around. They also possess some kind of energy, making them dare to try. However, when we become more experienced, we somehow would have lost that sort of energy. Perhaps that's because 'experience' made us see things differently from yesterday. My friend told me he is no longer young, and seems the 'fire' in heart is off. Even though the 'fire' might be still on softly, he could still recall the old days, when he was much more energetic with more fierce 'fire' in heart.
Anyway, when we are at different stage of life, we look for different things. Might be we work more carefully with more thorough thinking, which is so-called 'mature'; or we are scared by the World, we do not want to explore & try out anymore; or simply we don't care anymore because we know things would go the way they go.

To me, the 'fire' is indeed not important to me by now, as I believe the 'fire' in my heart has already gone long time ago. It is OFF, and will never come back. So, it is more important to live my life well today, plus treasure all everything & everyone in front.

I wish you all the very best.

獻給所有在生活中的您

有群體的地方就有那所謂的「文化」。是人結集在一起之後，相互之間產生的某種「火花」所帶來的一股凝聚力。社會上流傳著很多跟文化有關的詞彙... 甚麼「流行文化」, 「文化節目」, 「低等文化」等等。自己對於這些一切，實沒有甚麼的感受，它們看起來就像是「學術語言」。我，不太能理解，亦沒意去就這些「文化」作任何言論。

倒想試圖用文字記下來的是「生活文化」。實際只是自己對於生活上的種種作個紀錄。是個人看到的，聽到的，嗅到的，感受到的，聯想到的...

時代不斷的演變著，人人都在為生活奔馳，我們又有幾多人真真正正去用心感受過生活，去留意生活上的一些瑣事軼事？或許是當自己走過好幾個城市之後，對一些看來微不足道的生活細節有著更深的感覺。

也許，就是因為這份感覺，令我更加開懷去細味生活上的種種，學習欣賞周遭的一切：喜歡的，不喜歡的；如意的，不如意的... 總覺得懂得欣賞，就會懂得放開；放開了，隨之而來的就是平靜所帶來的快樂。

Dedicated to YOU who are living your life

What I think "culture" is and what that means to me are the very first two questions I asked when I started writing. I believe "culture" is actually just a kind of "binding force" created among a group of people living somewhere in a society. Because of their interaction and attraction towards one another, there comes the spark which create "culture".

Realized there are quite some terms about "culture" such as "pop culture", "cultural events". Personally, I don't have much feeling towards all these as I feel like they are somehow "technical" and "academic". Here, I am not going to look into all these...

Instead, I would like to note down what I notice around, through my eyes, from my ears, by my nose... what I think and how I feel. Basically is just a record of my everyday life in words, making up what I would call "living culture".

Though a bit weird to say like this, but quite true that "time flies" - that means we feel like time is passing too fast, too soon. Especially in Hong Kong, everyone is so busy around here and there, with work, with travel, with activities.. sometimes, I doubt if anyone has ever let themselves stop for a while to take a look at the small pieces around.

I guess while I have been to quite a few countries by now, and I realized there are so many tiny little things going on in different cultures at the society. I started to pay more attention to details in our daily living. Probably the very first step we have got to do is start appreciating our lives - no matter we feel happy or sad, whether we like it or not, just appreciate and treasure everything, anything.

Once we know how to appreciate, we treasure, and then we could see the details, plus live happily. All the best!

仙境｜Paradise

"人生如浮雲"
"Life is like the floating clouds in the sky"

Stone from the Ruin

This afternoon, I showed my friend one of my most favorite sculpture, which is actually the one in the slide right in front of me on my desk at home. Then he said to me, "it is just a stone from the ruin." Because of this, I wanted to write something even though I am so busy with work.

The first sight of this sculpture dated back to around like 10 years ago. I saw that at an exhibition at the Landmark in Central. Since then, I love it so much. In 2000, I was in France. I realized my dream for I made a visit to the museum having this ORIGINAL sculpture. (http://www.musee-rodin.fr/). I bought this slide, poster, bookmark, publications, postcard, etc. Until now, I have got several books about this artist and his works!

After my friend's comments, I wondered why I like this 'stone from the ruin' that much. The answer perhaps just: 'REAL'.

To my friend, perhaps that's a piece of stone without any meaning. Or as he said, because I don't know anything about sculpture and I couldn't make it, therefore I love that so much. However, there have been so many sculptors around in the World. Why this only? All his works actually present that kind of 'REAL' touch. The verve in there really caught me.

Turning such 'ordinary stone' into an artpiece which is so humane is not easy at all. His handicraft is really amazing!

(Finally, I would like to quote some words from a book to tell you more about this particular sculpture. English only.)
****************************
The Kiss. 1886. Marble. Musee Rodin, Paris.
'That embrace in which there is both desire and chastity'
"The man's head is bent, that of the woman is lifted, and their mouths meet in a kiss that seals the intimate union of their two beings. Through the extraordinary magic of art, this kiss, which is scarcely indicated by the meeting of their lips, is clearly visible, not only in their meditative expressions, but still more in the shiver that runs equally through both bodies, from the nape of the neck to the soles of the feet, in every fibre of the man's back, as it bends, straightens, grows still, where everything adores - bones, muscles, nerves, flesh - in his leg, which seems to twist slowly, as if moving to brush against his lover's leg; and in the woman's feet, which hardly touch the ground, uplifted with her whole being as she is swept away with ardour and grace."
- Gustave Geffroy -
Rodin: The Hands of Genius. (ISBN 0500300194)

The Arts of Living

Thinking living my life should not be just about work & play, I am recently indulged in reading. So, I am spending some time on books before I go bed every night.

Tonight, I was reading "The Importance of Living" (by Lam Yu Tong) and "Tao Te Ching" (by Lao Tzu).

Somehow, I found these books have led me to think again what means by "Living". These new thoughts actually have brought me a happier life, plus got me the heart to live a happy life with my loved ones.

生活的藝術

近日，沉醉於書本當中，或許是有感生活不能只圍繞著工作和玩樂吧！於是，每個晚上，都會花十多分鐘去看看書，才去睡。

這天，我在看林語堂的「生活的藝術」和老子的「道德經」。某程度上，它們的內容引領我去反思何謂「生活」，讓我開開心心，和跟我愛的人去好好的過日子。

愛.與.恨.

其實是愛，還是恨呢？答案：又愛又恨。

某天，跟友人談到她的工作。沒完沒了的「投訴」，關於人事，公司，這樣那樣... 最後，我忍不住問她：「那妳何不辭呈，另覓新的工作？」

她回覆說，雖然不喜歡工作上的某些種種，但那也有其好的地方。

有趣，我看這正正就是那「又愛又恨」的感覺。

[譯於 2007.09.02]

The Sea of Books

"Reading" has become one of my 'habits'. No matter how busy I am, I would do my best to squeeze some time during the week to read. If I was being asked what kind of shop I like the most, I would immediately choose 'bookstore' - despite some of my friends would probably guess 'wine bar' should be my answer.

I also realized buying books has become my habit as well. Even though I like going to library, I don't really like borrowing books from there. The first reason is I feel happier to 'own' the book, while the other reason is I don't like returning books. The 'time limit' to finish the book made me feel a bit tensed somehow.

By now, my speed buying books has been increasing... and then my little room has become like the 'sea of books'...

書海

看書，基本上已經是一個習慣。無論有多忙碌，總會在每個星期裡，抽點時間來看看書。問我最喜歡的店子，或許朋友會想是酒吧，但我認為是書店。

買書，在不知不覺間，亦成為了一個習慣。雖然我也喜歡到圖書館去，但我不太愛借書。一來有感擁有一本書比較快樂，二來我不愛「還書」，總覺得那有點兒壓迫感，不自在。

今時這刻，似乎買書的速度，有增無減... 最後,我那小小的房間，變成了書海...

懷念白松露｜I miss the white truffle

Arrived at ALBA, Piedmont, Italy in November 2007. Went there especially for the white truffle fair being held around October/ November. So amazing, so lovely, so precious white truffle... and... so expensive!!

It is around the time for Truffle season... Here the latest news from ALBA...

2007年11月, 特意到了意大利PIEDMONT區的阿爾巴(ALBA)參觀白松露節. 每年的十月/十一月就是松露的收採季節. 那些白松露有如珍寶, 價值連城!!

正值十月起始, 又是松露時節. 有興趣, 可以看看來自阿爾巴的最新消息...

http://www.ideawebtv.it/images/stories/Fieradeltartufo/Default.html

一"舊"爛石

朋友的一句「咪又係爛石一＂舊＂」讓我有感而發，想在（超）百忙之中抽點時間出來寫幾句字。他看見的是跟我家中書桌前的那一張幻燈片一樣的雕塑圖像，那是我最愛的一件藝術品。

第一眼看見這雕塑仿品已是約十多年前的事，地點在中環置地廣場。那一眼以後，愛上了。2000年到法國去，終完成心願，見到了「真跡」（http://www.musee-rodin.fr/）。然後，買下了這幻燈片，還有大海報、書籤、書刊、明信片等。時至今日，家中還收集了好幾本關於這位藝術家的書籍及圖冊。

朋友的那句話令我不禁問自己，其實我何以會喜歡這＂舊＂爛石呢？我猜全因為一個字：真。

對朋友來說，那可能只是一＂舊＂沒意思的爛石，又可能是如他所說，因為我不懂雕刻，所以我才會那樣的崇拜這位雕塑家。然而，古今中外，有那麼多位雕刻家，我至今還是最愛這位藝術家的作品。他的作品，幾乎每一件都充份表現得到那種「真」的感覺。雕塑所表現出來的神韻，實在懾人。

要把平平無奇的石，雕琢成那樣充滿人性表現的藝術品，很不容易。他的手工，令人佩服！

（最後，在此引用一本書裡頭的文字，介紹這雕塑。只有英文版，請見諒。）

****************************
The Kiss. 1886. Marble. Musee Rodin, Paris.
'That embrace in which there is both desire and chastity'
"The man's head is bent, that of the woman is lifted, and their mouths meet in a kiss that seals the intimate union of their two beings. Through the extraordinary magic of art, this kiss, which is scarcely indicated by the meeting of their lips, is clearly visible, not only in their meditative expressions, but still more in the shiver that runs equally through both bodies, from the nape of the neck to the soles of the feet, in every fibre of the man's back, as it bends, straightens, grows still, where everything adores - bones, muscles, nerves, flesh - in his leg, which seems to twist slowly, as if moving to brush against his lover's leg; and in the woman's feet, which hardly touch the ground, uplifted with her whole being as she is swept away with ardour and grace."
- Gustave Geffroy -
Rodin: The Hands of Genius. (ISBN 0500300194)

白粥

提起白粥，總會有某些人會想起「病嗰時，先至會食白粥喎」。不知從何時起，白粥給人的感覺就是「病人的食物」。

對我來說，病的時候，總不會想起白粥。已經那麼沒精打彩，又沒甚味兒的時候，怎能連吃的也沒有了色彩呢... 所以病的時候更加不能想起白粥。白粥好應該是在色彩繽紛的時間，好好的品嚐，那才顯得出彩色的精彩，和白色的清純。

自己很喜歡吃白粥。

兒時可以一個星期七個晚上都只是吃白粥，有沒有其他的餸菜也沒關係。媽親手造的白粥實在與別不同，是那「陳年果皮」的獨特味道滲透在清淡的白粥裡... 和那「軟綿綿」的感覺。外間的，極其量也只會加白果或腐竹而已... 同時，亦未必可以有那種「綿」的感覺, 可能只是「水還水，米還米」，又或者是「稀爛」的感覺...

雖然總覺得媽的粥是最好的，但也喜歡光顧「粥舖」。以前家住九龍荔枝角，每逄星期日早上， 都會「晨咁早」就跟媽到「街市」買餸。第一站的總會是「粥舖」。門口有炸油條的鑊，有那玻璃櫃，放了油條，「牛脷酥」, 有時會有「咸粘餅」... 還有新鮮造腸粉的那個不锈鋼蒸籠... 我的指定動作:「白粥炸両」。

時至今日，「粥舖」見少買少。油器和腸粉多是「大量製造」的，由「工場」運到舖頭。吃起來，總覺得沒有了那份新鮮的感覺。還有那些「碗碟暗號」，和伙計們那「快過計數機」的心算。看一看就知道幾多錢，收錢找贖又「快過打針」。相比今日在某些粥品連鎖店，用的是最先進的「barcode」 和「beep beep 咭」，門口那「收銀處」還是可以水洩不通， 加上「趕時間一族」總會面露那「不耐煩」的不悅之色...

心想，社會是在進步，還是在倒退中...

The Culture of Reading

I love reading since my childhood years. Yet, I didn't really like borrowing books from library. Instead, I like going to bookstore and staying there for quite a while, or I would just buy my favorite books back home to read & have that as my "collection".

It seems that less and less people would like to go bookstore and stay there to read or to check out the books. One of the reasons could be the high rent in Hong Kong, making it so difficult to get that large space for bookstore like the "Book City" in Shenzhen or "eslite" in Taiwan. Such spacious bookstores (or I should put "MEGA BOOKSTORE"!?) are in fact really good place for spending a whole day! In Hong Kong, it is also common for the store assistant to stop people from sitting on the ground to read in a bookstore. Perhaps the owner is afraid that people doing this will not buy anything, or simply because of the 'visual nuisance' which the owner does not like. In fact, this discourage people to stay longer in the bookstore. Last, another reason could be the popluarity of e-books nowadays.

What a pity indeed.

I have been to China, Taiwan, Singapore, the United States, Europe... Compared to Hong Kong, I would say the 'culture of reading' in those places are much richer and more popular among the general public. Bookstore is still a popular place, and the books found there involve really vast and deep subjects. There is no boundary in the 'wisdom' behind at all. Bookstore is such a good place for family as well!

I wish there will be some sort of 'culture of reading' in Hong Kong.

閱讀的文化

從少喜歡讀書。 此「讀書」非指在學校讀書的那種，而是閱讀的習慣。不過，並不太喜歡到圖書館借閱，倒喜歡到書店「打書釘」，又或者索性把書買回來閱讀兼收藏。

「打書釘」，似乎在香港漸漸息微。我覺得原因之一是香港租金太過昂貴了，根本沒有如深圳的「書城」，又或是台灣的「誠品」，那些「寬敞」的地方，讓人可以好好的在那兒度過一整天的時間。同時，或因為「外觀」問題，又或是書店的東主怕「打書釘」的人不光顧，看看就罷。結果，若在香港的書店坐在地上看書的話, 是會給職員「趕」的。這樣一來，更加沒人想到書店逗留。亦可能因為現今的「電子書」實在盛行得很，於是更少人會到書店走走。

實感可惜。

到過中國，台灣，星加坡，美國，歐洲... 各個地方的閱讀文化，都比香港的更濃更盛。書店還是那樣的受歡迎，而在書店找到的書籍項目既廣且深，那兒所包藏的智慧，誇越時空，無邊無際。書店更是一家大小假日的好去處!

但願香港終有一天，能有那樣的環境，造就那「閱讀的文化」。

World Heritage (II)

TOKAJ – a little town which is quiet, yet lively. After visiting Tokaj, I got a new point of view on WINES.

The first time I visited some wineries was a tour to Rhone Valley in France. That was an invitation from the Trade Commission. During my visit, I found the difficulties for the winery, from vine-growing process, to selling of wines. Not to forget, the financial burden which brings winery some kind of worries.

In contrast, what I felt in Tokaj about wines was the residents’ passion towards wines, and how they have mixed together wine & living. Wines are basically part of their lives. I could find grapes growing somewhere on the side street. There were the stainless steel fermenting vats right out there in the backyard. Even for an ‘ordinary’ small house, there you could find an underground cellar. Perhaps that’s not a very good brand, you might even could not find the wines bottled. Seemed quite some for them are not for selling at all, just “in-house consumption”. In fact, there are some wines for sale, but simply sold in plastic bottles when you buy them!

About wine styles, most probably the very first one comes up in mind is ‘Tokaji Aszu’. Like the very renowned sweet wines in Saurternes, these wines are ‘Noble Rot’ wines. The grapes for making such wines are affected by the fungal growth before harvest. In addition, the wine-making process has brought the wines very special aroma and unique flavours with very good complexity. Compared to ‘ordinary’ white wines, these wines are extremely glamorous. Also because picking the grapes is a labour-intensive process, plus not every single grape could be affected by the fungus, the yield is very low. All these make the wines more expensive at the end.

So, what else in Tokaj? There are some dry whites indeed. The main grapes in this region include Furmint, Harslevelu, and Muskotaly. During my trip, I visited a family wine cellar, and tried 3 different types with these varieties. Though they are of the same vintage, they all tasted different with different styles. Interesting.

My own experience right there in Tokaj, made me realize the very close relationship between wines and everyday life, plus the difference of this relationship in different countries. So much attracted by wines…

World Heritage (I)

Loving wines, not just because of the uniqueness found in every single bottle, but also the history & culture behind the wine. In June this year, I went to a wine region in Hungary to have a touch of 'culture' there. In fact, this region was listed in the World Heritage list in 2002. That is TOKAJ.

Although the company I work at does not offer any Hungarian wines, yet I truly believe to learn about wines, we have to study all different kinds of wines from all over the World. Together with the undrestanding of wines through tastings, and personal experience in different wine regions, we can then gain deeper knowledge in the vast subject on wines.

I have only stayed for 2 days during my trip. Even though this was such a short period of time, I have already fallen in love with this place. The calmness of living and the quiet environment really attract me! Also, the importance of wines to the people living in this little town...

World Heritage List: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1063

l.o.v.e. vs h.a.t.e.

Whether I love it or I hate it? Answer: I love it, and I hate it.
I was chatting with my friend about her job the other day, got quite some complaints about people, about the company, about ... at the end, I asked, "why not you quit it and find something you really like?"

The feedback is though I don't like this and that, there are still good points about the job. I don't really wanna quit.

Interesting. We love it, we hate it..

[Written on April 1, 2007]

大世界

可曾想過，全世界有多少個國家？ 當我還在小學讀書時，認識了亞洲。那時，曾到過泰國和日本。
升中後，我知道有北美洲。那時期，到過美國和加拿大。
準備入大學時，發現還有歐洲。那一年，到了四個歐洲國家：意大利，瑞士，法國和英國。
臨離開大學，就知道美國有分東岸和西岸；歐洲有分西歐和東歐。
真正離開了大學，對中東和地中海略有所聞。遇到新朋友，分別來自杜拜，巴林，黎巴嫩。 那一刻，忽然想到希臘和土耳其!
實在，每一年都不斷認識得到世界有多大，自己有多渺小。
註：那到底會世界有多少個國家？ 美國中央情報局說： 「272個國家, 獨立地區和其他個體」

https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/xx.html

[譯於 2008.08.28 ]

後記: 2008.08.28 再翻查資料, 發覺最新的國家數目, 變了266個.

BIG BIG World

Ever wondered how many countries in the World?When I was in "primary school", I thought there's only Asia. I've been to Thailand & Japan during those years.
When I was in "secondary school", I realized there's the North America. I've been to the United States of America & Canada.
When I was about to enter university, I found there's the Europe. I've then been to a few countries in Europe, namely Italy, Switzerland, France & UK.
When I was about to leave university, I started to know even in US - there's West Coast & East Coast; in Europe - there's the Western Europe & Eastern Europe.
After I left university, I learnt there's the Middle East & Mediterrean. I met new friends from Dubai, from Bahrain, from Lebanon; I was also thinking about going to Greece & Turkey!
******Every year, I learnt how BIG the World is & realized how SMALL I am in the World.

P.S. So how many countries are there in the World? CIA Factbook says "272 nations, dependent areas, and other entities " < https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/xx.html >

［ Written 2006.07.23 ］

由零開始

望著這一張相, 百感交集....
時間: 某年某月某日
地點: 地球另一端的 "大嶼山"
人物: 相中人和拍下這張相的人
天氣: 藍天白雲, 夾著清風; 冬天的寒氣給春天的微風驅趕著...

香港的喧鬧真的令人有點倦. 回想到那天在西西里島 -- "地球另一端的大嶼山" 的寧靜環境, 實在令人嚮往. 更加令人陶醉的是那種 "由零開始"的感覺.

曾經有朋友跟我說, 常常找藉口去旅行, 還不只是一種("豪華"的)逃避現實方法! 如果是這樣的話, 我絕對是一個十分喜歡逃避現實的人.

[筆於2006.07.13 ]

Start from Zero

Whenever I look at this photo, I got some kind of strong feeling...

When: xxxx/xx/xx
Where: Lantau Island on the other end of the World
Who: the one in the photo & the one who took the photo
Weather: clouds in the blue sky, with sea breeze; the Spring wind is urging the Winter coldness to go...

The noisiness in Hong Kong really made me tired. Thinking of the days in Sicily (my friend called that "Lantau Island on the other end of the World"), where I could find the quiet moment. I just love it... in fact, what made love this place even more is the felling of "staring from zero".

One of my friends said to me before, travelling away is just a (luxurious) excuse to "escape" from reality. If this is true, then I am sure I love escaping from reailty.

[Translated 2008.08.28]

世上最玄的

解釋不了，只能寫出這一個字來。

***
緣份的確很玄妙。
雖然捉不到，摸不到，
但卻實實在在的存在著，存在過...

緣來緣去...
要留，要流，捉不住。
何時會來，何時會走，摸不著。

然而，人不時所執著的，
是因為捉不住的一個人或一件事，
還是抓不住的時光?

十個"出走"的理由

１）我要冷靜一下。
２）我想"出走"。
３）我唔想留喺香港。
４）我想出去行吓。
５）我想去香港以外啲地方見識吓。
６）我想學習放棄自己的思考邏輯，認識其他人的思考方式。
７）我唔想聽到廣東話同英文。
８）我想學習以身體語言溝通，睇吓得唔得。
９）我想搭飛機。
１０）我唔想成世人只有喺香港的回憶，腦海只有香港九龍新界同離島。我要有地中海、歐洲、北美、中美、南美．．．

後記：其實唔需要理由。以上一切的出現，都只因為要向其他人作交代...

忠於自己。享受每一刻。

結果，還是不服氣，開始盡最後努力備戰DIPLOMA in WINES & SPIRITS。雖然心知合格的機會很低，但相信温習的過程所帶來的得著，足以令我感到滿足。

過程比我想像中的艱鉅得多，要認識和硬背的，多得排山倒海。一個又一個新詞彙；一個又一個的品牌；還有那各色各樣的葡萄品種；再來是不同的產區和釀造方法... 所有加湊起來，使人頭昏腦脹。

慶幸的是，猜我是找到了打從心底裡喜歡鑽研的一門學問。同時，這門學問除了是我工作的一部份，亦給了我一個藉口去周遊列國，認識世界各地不同角落的風土人情和文化特色。温習期間，看過不少地圖，最後，幾乎每一個產酒國都成了我心目中的「下一站」，艱辛的感覺轉化成為使人感到興奮的新目標。

就這樣，個人享受生活的一環，融入了工作/ 學業當中，就算自己在日常生活或工作上遇到不如意事，都能處之泰然，並好好享受每一刻。

繼續忠於自己。

不用追，不用趕。

朋友都知道我喜歡外遊，尤其愛長途旅程。2002年，由美國走到法國，再由法國回到美國，遊了一個多月才回香港。2005年，由德國開始走，到過荷蘭，再走到捷克，穿過維也納，到達意大利最南的西西里，然後游走到法國。2008年，以葡萄牙作起點，到過歐洲最西的燈塔，再到鄰國西班牙，之後是意大利...東歐幾國，再回到西歐的德國和法國。

每一趟旅程都為我增添了一點點意想不到的「智慧」。所謂「智慧」，其實是個人對時間的看法改變了。

從前只顧工作，不理一切的努力幹，今天還是會努力，還是要勇往直前，向著目標進發，然而，我明白到無論如何，時間要過去的，總要過去，沒有人可以留得住；要來的，總要來。時間根本不讓我們去追，亦用不著我們去趕。

總覺得學懂了不去追，不去趕，心境變得更平和，生活亦來得更精彩。明知時間追不來，就不會錯過眼前的每一分每一秒，在能力範圍所及，做自己喜歡做的事，包括積極工作，關心身邊每一個人和發展自己所長。不少人都會嘆息說後悔，為何當初，自問我也曾有過那一刻，然而，說一次就夠了，說過了，經歷過了，不就應該汲取了那教訓嗎？放下那「當初」，好好過今天的一刻，不單只是補償，亦是對自己好的其中一個方法，和對身邊每一個關心自己的人作了一個交代。

不再窮追，自然就不會再趕。