5 Hand-picked Christmas Wallpapers

It's nearing Christmas!! (and of course finals)  Every year, while studying for my exam I would still find the time to get along with the festive mood and update my desk top wallpaper.

Each year I had the perfect picture in mind but looking for them is always a pain in the neck. This year I have hand-picked a few quality pictures to archive :)
Enjoy!

Study v. Learn

I was studying for my exam, no wait, avoiding from studying from my exam. When I read an article about studying in university. The article was all about university giving us the opportunity of learning and applying, thinking and exploring possibilities. Was I grasping this platform of being in university to actually enhance my thinking skills, learn new skills and apply it in my life? I didn't think so.

What I did was simply cramming facts into my brain so that I can write that exam paper.

It all made sense now, or in fact, how it didn't make sense.

Last Friday while I was writing the exam paper for Air and Noise Pollution Studies, I came to have the thought that I was not learning what I know. I was simply studying it for the sake of gaining a decent GPA. I'm sorry but I have not found the meaning to the subject at all.

I have two points to make

1. The Hong Kong education system is encouraging us to study but not learn. 

How we were encouraged to study is to do plenty of past papers, be familiar with the examination style and calculations and hence "do well" in the subject. Which to me, is meaningless. I won't doubt that this may be the way for some who studies really scientific subjects, but to my mind, my way of thinking, this is not what I wanted at all. After going through the A-Levels (In which I screwed up pretty badly) I should have known...

     2.   I happened to like that law course I took in year one because I understood and can apply.

It is not simply just reading facts and understanding it. Which also brings me to realize that, this is the difference between science subjects and humanity subjects, and also back to the point where I know I should not have chosen science courses in university.

November and Honey

My favourite season has come and nearing the end. Although it is official that winter is here (according to the lunar calendar) I still felt that it was the season for autumy treats. Maple leaves, apple crumbles and honey!! Currently my fave thing to do after reaching back to my dorm is to brewing a cup of hot honey rose herbal tea. A quick search landed me the information that from the perspective of Chinese medicine, rose buds could actually cure pains. Drinking with honey also has a beauty effect, perfect!

I am also currently in love with honey flavoured bath gel by a local brand, simply love the smell which makes me feel... would yummy be a correct word?

If I would not be killed by the tremendous work this week, I would go and hunt for a honey moisturizing cream, shampoo, lip balm or something ;)

3 years in university and I came to realize...

I hate professors from the mainland.
It's not because I'm racist or "I'm a Hong Konger" thing. It's just simply the fact that mainland professors
1. Could not pronounce words properly, making it extremely hard to understand what they are talking about.
2. Does not have any passion in teaching at all. They're just flipping through the powerpoint and calling it a day.
3. Thinks that all calculation are so easy that they didn't need to talk about it at all.

The comprehensiveness of professors has a direct linkage to my liking of the course and also my grades. I am trying to turn this around. Can't fuck up my GPAs again.
I. Am. Trying. To. Learn.

:(

The Elementary Art of Networking.

networking

到底係咪9衝過去握個手，介紹自己，拎張卡片咁簡單？

自從high table dinner同A小姐9衝完director of student affairs 我好似...開咗竅?

Last Friday I attended a conference on Eco-tech.
My first ever networking even in which I have willed myself to really get the courage to approach important people. They are people with position, with a name.
I know this is too shallow, but really, what has changed me from the girl hiding behind her mom to this person struggling, striving and swimming in the sea of competition?

I was there to get to know people.
I was there to pave the way for the future.

this is call growing up.

The only 5 Differences between Singapore and Hong Kong

It's come to the end of my short and sweet trip in Singapore. Taking the advice of Terrenct, I'll thought I'd look at the similarities rather than the differences between the city and Hong Kong. However I've come to the conclusion that both cities are so similar, it'd make more sense to focus on the differences instead.

1. The Hawker Center
Amazing food, thousands of variety at unbeatable prices. the off side? My appetite seems to have disappeared in the heat. Strategy for dieting I suppose?

Recommended by an old friend, We went to the Old Airport Road hawker center by bus 10 from Merlion Park. It was local. I couldn't find a better word. Local cuisine in its finest form, including the environment, people and atmosphere.

2. The Weather
Singapore is only one word - hot. Not only is it hot, it's freaking hot. Everywhere I go there's the sun, men in semi-wet tees, women in all sorts of spaghetti stripes, skirts, shorts and dresses.
I am so ready for some autumning now.

3. The People
Hong Kong brands herself as the international financial center, but Singapore is the true multinational hub. the uniqueness of the country is that people from different cultures actually live in harmony in such a small city. There are Chinese, Malays, Indians and all sorts of other nationalities mixing and living in the same place. They are also generally more friendly and polite. (But that might be due to the invasion of Mainlanders, though that's a completely different issue)

4. Language
Although people basically communicate in English, it is extremely common to hear children speaking in a mix of languages. Whereas in Hong Kong, Chinese is Chinese. (Excluding those people trying to sound special, but that too is a completely different matter.) Oh, and the Singaporean accent is worth a mention too. Just after 3 short days and already my brain is thinking in their tone.

5.Clothing
Maybe it's just me or maybe Singaporeans really do dress more causally than Hong Kongers. I was used to the fashion shows in my university campus and thus when I look at the people here there was just not as much eye candies for me to feast on...

Well, these five points basically wraps up the 'cultural differences' my shallow self have observed in the pass few days. Disagreements are only natural and opened to. Overall, Singapore and Hong Kong shared many similarities in which I may write about if I have the time in the near future. 

Living Life - Exercise

It's a long time since I last posted, I have been busy. Quite busy actually. I have used my time wisely this month, tutoring kids, making teaching materials (plus a few extra bucks) and treating myself well. I began to exercise as regular as I can.  And I just feel good with my life *cheers!* :)

For the past weeks I have been jogging at the running tracks in my neighborhood and doing an addition 400m every time I go. Last time (which was Friday) I was doing 2.4k *proud grin* pretty satisfying for a beginner :) For those days where I simply couldn't make it to the park, I did yoga at home. The feeling of using the muscles I have abandoned for so long feels great and I couldn't wait to exercise them more!!

I know I'm not overweight or obese, but i have sure gained a few pounds compared to last winter. Time to lose them before they stuck! 

Pampering - Crabtree and Evelyn Gardeners Hand Recovery Scrub

I am so into pampering myself lately and this hand scrub is such a find, it is really the most blessed thing I have laid my hands on.

This totally lived up to the Gardeners line of products of Crabtree & Evelyn to be really moisturising plus making the skin nice and soft. I particularly like the salt-sized particles as they are neither too fine nor too coarse. They are just the right size to make me feel clean and not scratchy. Perfect

These don't normally come in these sample-size tubes but I somehow got hold of some back in May.

Hong Kong's black monday

July 1st is always a gloomy day for Hong Kongers. It's not simply because of the reminder of the dearest handover, but also a day where people can finally let the cap off the anger and frustration they have build up over the year. And even worst this year, there's a typhoon striking and the city is wholly covered by grey thunder clouds and heavy pouring rain on top of the moody mob.

Seriously, I really feel like crying. What have I got myself into when I start to do my year plan, face the MC,  blah blah blah...

wtf /______\

Stressed? Go home and change into shorts

These are seriously my June faves. They are comfy cotton shorts with cute ribbons up front. Thanks cotton on for these amazingly cute pjs that cheers me up whenever I came home from a long day.

They really put me into the mood for pampering and relaxing :)

None, or everything

Now that I have printed off all my boarding passes I am *somewhat* ready to go. I still need to book some hostels, look for places to visit and get some train tickets.hm.... not really so ready.

On top of that, I am now getting ready for EGM which is EXTREMELY time consuming. The stressful part is actually finding out what I need to find out (wtf). There are 2 manifestos to write, a video to edit, all without a proper computer to work on.

Man, I must be superwoman...

Too stupid to utilize phone functions

This is not the first time I have missed a skype meeting or a deadline while traveling and I. Am. Ashamed. Seriously, if I really want the interviews enough I should take the responsibility to at least be there. But being totally trash at calculating between time zones really is a huge big ultra enormous problem.

There is actually a function on the iPhone calendar that allows me to input the time of a different time zone and it will automatically convert to the current one for me, why didn't I use it. Oh why why why why why. I spent so much getting myself a decent phone and I didn't even utilize its functions. How dumb can I be?

Note to self: Use that calendar function!!!

Day 3: Calm, Lonely, Fascination

Lithuania, Siauliai

Hill of Crosses

It suddenly occurred to me that as a child I have always had lonely dreams. I dream of endless stretches of land that are calm with no people. I fantasize myself in fields all by myself with little distraction, enjoying the still and calmness of the scene.

We had to walk for about 15 minutes before we reach the hill of crosses. That stretch of road is exactly what I have always dreamed of as a child. I was overwhelmed by simply vast emptiness. But it was nothing compared to the fascination of the sight of thousands of crosses that greeted us when we arrived. The sea of crosses is endless. It stretches all over the small hill and around it. There were crosses in every shape, size, material, design... There is just too many it was shocking.

And the atmosphere is so calm it's almost eerie. It was raining slightly and there wasn't much people around. Each cross there represents their own story and the hill is the place where their story would be told and passed on. I love the feeling, it fascinates me. It's the feeling that there actually existed a history that wants to be told...

There was no solid record of why a collection of crosses appeared in the outskirts of Siauliai. But it can be traced to people who wanted to show respect for those who fight for independence of Lithuania from the Russian Empire.

Day 2: Vilnius - grey skies

After 8 hours on the couch, we finally arrived at Vilnius. However, the sky was not very cooperative and it remained grey and rainy all day. To make things worst, we couldn't find a currency exchange, and walking on an empty stomach we found took refuge in a cozy coffee shop. Having recharged our energy, we went to the tourist information where we finally got maps of the town. This is weather really puts off the mood to join any tours and we just wandered around on our own. Though we had fun exploring the small town, I felt that I could still have dug deeper and find out more about this place.

One interesting thing about the city is that there is actually a artist-based constitute next to the old town. Inside is a complete artist hideout. However, we choose to arrive on a Sunday where most things are closed. We still found a nice woman who did metal printing on paper. Her work inspiration came from her daily life and she print mostly detail drawings of female, flowers and animals. Love her art work :)

In the hostel we met 3 French girls, Camille, Chloe and Milla. They were really nice girls and we spent the evening playing games and getting to know about each other's country cuisine. It's a pity that we didn't leave any contacts, it would be nice if I can find them again some time.

Day 1: Tallinn

I have actually been to Tallinn before, this time is just a pass by down to Vilnius. Though summer Tallinn didn't fail to attract me with its beauty. It's completely different without the snow. :)

Plastic Flashback

Clear Plastic by trittertrotter

Finally summer has come and it's time to head to the beach... in our clear plastic jelly flip flops carrying the see through clutch and acrylic shades. Yes, the season of showing off what's in our beach bag has come and everything we wear should have something see-through in it. (except of course our bathing suits)

My using of having plastic "come-see-what-I've-got-in-my" hand bags could be traced back to 5 years ago where I got a neon yellow tote.(real affordable too, from Walmart costing only $20. !!!) I happened to have a plastic lizard in my possession, inside a gift from a friend who thought to frighten me. (really cute in my opinion. loved it) To spice up the accessory a bit, I popped it inside and it happily lived there while I walk around campus surprising my friends! *evil laughs*

It's always fun to have something different, but one thing that is really not cool: wearing see through sneakers and seeing toes. hell that's disgusting. I wouldn't show off stinky feet, would you? 

XOXO

Trapped - live without my laptop

Have you ever had the feeling of wanting to create something but don't know what to make?

I have been living without a computer for nearly a month now and I am literally screaming inside. There is simply so much I need and want to do with my laptop!

今日，終於忍唔住要拎悉部電腦出黎。開一開機…試下，試下佢會唔會奇蹟地好起來…？

嗯…我都係想上下網姐。

是expectation mismatch還是大學真的不如以往？

近排facebook入面，中學興緊整memes, 大學興緊"XXU Secrets"。 我學校都開了一個類同的secrets page。
當初，我以為secrets係指大學裹不為人知的秘密。好似轉堂換課室的short cuts，admin上方便的做法(eg.book場找哪個department最快)，什麼學校“中伏”位要留意，如何申請到容易嘅funding/拎到“着數”，甚至係好似wiki leaks咁公開一啲學校不公平嘅決策等等… 點知一切其實都歸於我諗多左啦。
原來"secrets"是指“匿名地表白/分享心底話/心諗/不滿/愛情故事”｛呀！係咼，點解我無諗到呢啲都係秘密黎架咼？！｝何解依家大學變得如此膚淺？認真，你的愛情故事我不感興趣，要看故事我有故事書；心底話可以留待於個人網頁分享，與我無關；不滿有民主墻隨便寫。根本無必要刻意開一個page。Admin用時間打理閒言閒語倒不如專心考finals。
至於內容，有一半都是表達對異性嘅渴望，另一半就是對學校設備和大陸同胞的發洩。言而仲有人會問“點解我地個page會少人like同reply嘅？”，原因會否正是內容無聊而不值得深究呢？
Btw，話明secrets為何隨便一個人不用like也可以看？始終都係叫"secrets"至少也得把關一下對不？…看來secrets都只不過是跟着潮流走的一個page名而已。其他大學的secrets page是否如此我不知道但他們起碼是relatable/private的，膚淺極都只有自己學生知。

自問不是一個好有深度的人，但連我都覺得有問題時大學生是否須要反醒下。

Girlish Findings

I have been meaning to get myself some flats/loafers lately and guess what? Found these shiny golden flats in SOKOS from House for only 5€. (For those who didn't know, they are kind of like the Lane Crawford/Sogo of Finland)

They come in gold and silver but since I've already got a pair of small wedgies in silver back home I chose the golden ones. And they goes with the gold details on my bag too, so proud of my find. *small pat on the back* Those Strings can actually be tighten so that the shape of the shoe stays nice and won't flop when walking. The sole is soft and they can be packed so small I just know they are made for my trips. (I have tried the H&M ones and they weren't as nice. Moreover, the price is double.)

Okay, i know a pair of flats is not worth such a long post. will stop now.

Finland: Icy Living Quarters

The legendary ice hotel in Lapland is a piece of art that is liveable.

Though it's a pity it's already spring when we visit so some rooms are closed and the tunnels are a bit melting... anyway this hotel is AMAZING. (But if you ask me, I won't be living there :P)

Thoughts: Superficial Modern Depression

*Declaration:"superficial" is not referring to any of the movies mentioned below. I am no critique, everything here are just some of my thoughts* 

After watching these two movies, I have the impression that people are generally lusting for a relationship. How is it that only another person can make us happy and not being in a relationship equals lonely and depressed? Isn't it a bit sad that the trends in movies and songs tends to relate happiness to  relationships? I wouldn't have my happiness dependent on another person, never.

Just finished watching:

1. Fallen Angles (1995), Wong Kar Wai 
2. Albert Nobbs (2011), Rodrigo García

These are all miserable films. Maybe I had a problem with choosing films, but they all have sadness seeping out from every corner. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying they are bad or anything, films can be sad,sentimental,funny and beautiful altogether and comes out really worth watching.

Fallen Angles is a story of 5 people living in Hong Kong during the 90s. They crossed each other's life somehow and they each had their own story.

Number 1 was a killer. He kills for a living because everything is simple and well planned. He did not need to think but just finish the job. Cool and quiet, his emotions does not show through, if he even have them at all.He lives in a flat where Number 2 cleans and plans his missions for him. But everybody feels tired some times,he decided to put a stop to this life. He bid farewell to Number 2 through a song, and disappeared from her life. He didn't meet her her in person, sparing himself from the complicatacy of needing to say anything. He then met Number 5 whose loud blond hair and wild personality covers her fear of being alone. She wanted him in her life, but in the end he decided that she was just another part of his life and left. He dies in his last mission where there was no Number 2 to do the planning for him.

Number 2 is beautiful, she secretly admires number 1 until one day he decided to stop being partners with her. She held a couple of freelance jobs but everything was just not the same. She felt lonely, she always had but having the job of looking after number 1 gave her a meaning to life. She lived in the fantasy of having a relationship with him. After he have gone her loneliness grew more prominent. In the end she continues her life, starting her fantasies on another person. She is a lonely person, living in her own world and her life, alone.

Angel number 3 was the son of a cook, he is a highly optimistic person but he couldn't talk. He spends his nights "taking care" of other people's shops, threatening his "customers" to pay for his "services". His nightly outings bring a humoristic twist to the movie. It also led him to meet the heartbroken Number 4 whom he falls in love with. He then changed, taking a job and earning money properly. However number 4 have never had feelings for him and left him without a sound, as well as his father who passed away. Losing the person who have taken care of him all his life, he returned to his old ways, where he found the most comfort in.

Number 4 was a person who took a hard blow after her boyfriend broke up with her. (Was the "boyfriend" real was even a question) She spent a lot of time with Number 3, looking for revenge on the person who stole her "boyfriend". She dissipated her anger by doing crazy things with Number 3, such as beating up a mannequin. She was the only character who is able to turn her life around and move on. When 3 met her again some time after, she have grown into a lady with a job as an air stewardess and a stable relationship.

Number 5 appears in number 1's life with a loud golden hairdo, she desperately wants him to remember her but he is just another part of her life and so is she. They soon moved on to something else. It also didn't matter if they remembers each other or not.She couldn't seem to grasp the concept of being able to survive and live happily on her own. She needed the mental support of having another half there or simply another person in her life, hence desperately making herself memorable in order to make that person stay. She is exactly the opposite of Number 2, whom is content with the thoughts she imagined by herself.



This story just makes me think after watching, letting everything sink in. The people of HK is actually quite like the characters. They make do with the things they are presented with, either optimistically or without feelings or pessimistically. They just accepts, be it a relationship or work. Those who tried to make a difference or stand out is just perceived as a mad man and something to laugh at, soon to be forgotten. This movie is a very honest perception of life.
It is very ironic that these people all found faults in their lives and yet didn't do anything to change it. The person who did make a change ends up dying. Is it that we should all follow the path that the world have chosen for us, if not we die? Common world, I don't believe it.

Oh, and I quite like The Geenster's review on this movie. Do read his in-depth comments about the movie if you like what you read in my superficial one :P

Comments on Albert Nobbs to be posted later.

Taste of Deer

"If you've never tried reindeer meat, you've never been to Finland."  That's why we put a fabulous full-stop to our second day in Lapland with a reindeer feast in a traditional stone hut.

The hut is decorated with deer hide and candles

In the middle, there is a stone fireplace where all the food was roasted, there were cranberries, especially made reindeer sausage on a secret recipe, salted reindeer meat, roast reindeer meat, smoked salmon...  The food was fabulous. Reindeer meat is denser than beef and pork, (a bit sausage/ham like) and it has a kind of flavour not unlike lamb. We agreed on calling it\a mix between beef and lamb.

The mash potatoes are delicious! The secret is to mix in A LOT of butter :P

For dessert we were presented with home-made crepes with cream and blueberry jam. I couldn't resist it even though my stomach is overloading with all the reindeer I have had. It's just too tasty. We were presented with a guest book when we ask for the check, there's some funny comments by past guests. (The waitress turned out to have been to Beijing before and she told us about the wonderful time she had there.) 

Thoughts: Power of Man

Bollywood films have a reputation for being really worth watching and I randomly selected one which seems very interesting to me.

Just finished watching:

A Wednesday (2008), Neeraj Pandey

This is a story told from an old retired police officer. He recalls a case which have shaken the whole police station and the government.
Let me first ask you a question.

How powerful do you think our government.the police force is?
Not very? Somewhat? None of your business?

Let's rephrase it a little...

How powerful do you think a person needs to be to challenge the government/ the police force?
You might be thinking about terrorists, organised crime blah blah blah... but this movie points out that you actually don't need a lot to achieve *something*, so long as there is a reason that is strong enough to make you do so. India is not the safest place in the world, everybody know that and this film is about a man who wanted to make a change. He wanted to live in peace, not having to worry about his loved ones nor his friends. He felt the need to show that although the people didn't voice out often, they have feelings, and a voice too.

Funny after typing the above sentence, I recall the protests and complaints HK people make (especially Jul 1 *0*) and thought maybe the people isn't really that timid after all... But then that's India and this is Hong Kong so culture is different, things might be different.

Come to think of it, people living in the peace and prosperity of Asia's financial center, complaining?? Hm, a bit far-fetched isn't it?
Complaining about not having a bigger house when some people can't even afford four walls, about not having a high salary when some are living off 7 dollars a day...

Finding faults leads to improvements, but sometimes we have to be thankful for what we already have.
Like the Chinese saying, 知足，常樂 (be content) 

Films: Dark Humor v. Pretty Fantasy

Yep, I am too bored out here with nothing to do. The sulky grey sky isn't encouraging me to go out and staying indoors *without* my computer means movie marathon on a borrowed iPad. Thanks to my great country's invention, PPS, I enjoy the convenience on online streaming. (not that I am particularly proud of it, just saying)

So far,I have seen

Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998), Guy Ritchie and
Penelope (2006), Mark Palansky

 

(I can conclude that I am rather attracted to silhouette movie posters...) Both serves well as a light-weight comedy in their own unique way,no mind-blowing concepts, no pondering endlessly on life's meanings etc.

LSTSB had a black humoristic touch to it not unlike Trainspotting (1996) by Danny Boyle. They had the same style too, grey musty English scenes, narrations from the main character, drug deelers, gang of friends and a problem. hm... English movie trends in the 90s? It could be credited that the plot is clever although you can sort of figure out that everything would fit well at the end, wouldn't fail to entertain. 

Penelope has a more cheerful spark in its making. I guess the millennium has given English movies a more fanta-magic-listic turn, producting films that likes to include curses, witches, nurseries, and a tipple-topple family. (see Nanny McPhee, 2005) The message in this film is clear - love yourself as you are, be yourself and not what others wants you to be.

Oh yea, and don't always listen to your mother, she might be wrong.

Levi Ski Resort

The Lapland trip is all about staying in Levi, the Ski Resort.

I had some doubts before going to Lapland, but I decided that it's worth it after all. Not only is the place nice with an amazing ski slope, but the rooms are fabulous too. Each room had their own sauna and the buffet breakfast was just amazing. We all tried skiing and snowboarding, I had one previous experience on wick boarding so I guess that helps, but it didn't stop me from tumbling down the slope. I managed to entertain all my friends, and add another crazy thing to my crazy list. :)

Fun: Mad Hatter's tea party

Happy Friday!!! It's not always that I attend parties here, but last Friday's party is really great. I am not talking about the music and people, they're pretty much the same everytime (the students' living quarters are small, everybody knows everybody) It's really the little things which made a difference.

The theme was Alice in Winderland. Hearing that, people are thinking about dressing up already. When all the bunny rabbits, Alices, queens and poker people came up to the door they are instantly greeted with the order to "paint the white roses red!" and presented with "eat me" cookies.
Our host have gone into all the trouble to print and cut out roses, tags, teapots and all the other Alice related things to decorate their apartment. And there's even masks and poker bow-ties for people who didn't dress up to mingle into the wonder-crowd.

The great thing about this is that nobody gets left out. Even the drinks are decorated with party themed straws! And they had some games on the table to entertain whoever's got enough of talking, dancing and taking pictures. 

It was a wonderful party full of surprises. Double likes for my dear friends who organized this!! MUAH*

Cultural: Songkran Festival

Happy Thai New Year!!

The past Saturday (13 Apr) was the Thai new year and my friends invited me to their celebration party. I never knew that there was so many Thai people in Mikkeli.
Their traditional costumes are just gorgeous.

The Miss Songkran Election

Winners, congratulations!

We saw some traditional Thai dances which were all about slow and elegance.

 

There was even some kids who danced Gangnam style and they're just too cute!

And a little girl all dressed up for the event. 

We had some Thai food and dessert which was yummy and a great change to the finish food we have in the school cafeteria.

Thai dessert

Fried chicken with onions

Fried noodles

 

Last but not least, everybody had fun!! :)