(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。
25/06/2009
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.
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)
「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)
"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。
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!
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!
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.
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]
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...
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.
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」。
「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…
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]
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.
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]
09/06/2009
世上最玄的
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...
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...
06/06/2009
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。
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)