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Monday, 16 July 2007

《一百元的旅程》陳瑞彬 - 第五屆世界華文中學生微型小說創作大賽初中組金獎

在第五屆世界華文中學生微型小說創作大賽中,陳瑞彬的作品《一百元的旅程》在3000多件參賽作品中脫穎而出,獲初中組金獎。

一百元的旅程

  “得知你家困難,寄錢一百略表寸心。”不行,不行,他一筆劃掉,擰眉沉思片刻重新寫道:“不要問錢從哪來,治病要緊,別拖了。”不行,還是能看出來。他用筆敲一下頭:怎麼措辭才好呢?

  “已經下班了。”郵局的營業員催促。

  “就好。”筆尖在匯款單附言欄划動著:“不要問錢從哪來,把它用在最緊要的地方吧。好心人。”

  走出郵局,他長長地吁了口氣。到學校快一個月了,媽還病著麼?唉,媽怎麼就不聽勸呢?不能怕花錢就不治病呀!爹竟幫媽說話,難道沒看見媽病痛的樣子麼?以後會治,總是以後,以後是哪一天呢?他嘆了口氣。

  來城裏上學時,爹非要把最後的五十元錢再給他帶上。那怎麼行呢?我帶得已經夠多了。你說別人家的孩子一學期花多少,這哪能比呢?我不是他們,咱 家也不是別人家呀。真的夠了!爹,你別難過,媽看見又要流淚了。我會吃好的,會看護好自己,會常給家裏寫信。他眼裏閃著淚花,扭頭看看身邊,行人匆匆,沒 有人注意他。

  開學後,學校評學習標兵。他沒有想到學校一下子獎給他一百元!拿到錢,他第一個念頭就是把這錢給家裏,讓媽媽治病。但是怎麼寄呢?想來想去,他決定以“好心人”的名義把錢“捐”給家裏。

  有了這一百塊錢,再借點兒,媽總可以去看一下病買些藥了。對,一定要讓媽去治病,不能再拖了。得寫封信再勸一下他們,今晚就寫!他想著,似乎媽已經去了醫院,病也已經好起來了。他臉上露出一絲淺淺的笑。

  太陽的余暉快褪盡了。火燒雲在不斷地變幻著形態。看,那不是爹在躬身犁地麼?不,像是在推車。哦,還有媽,多像拖著病體在地裏勞作的媽媽呀!還看得見她那飄動的白髮……

  十二天后的上午。天晴得真好。人不覺得太熱,暖得很。放學時,老師叫住他,遞給他一張紙。看到那張紙的瞬間,他一陣眩暈。他的心在顫,手在抖, 一張年輕堅毅的方臉痛苦地扭曲著,強忍的眼淚還是泉涌出而。淚珠濺落在匯款單上,打濕了附言欄中那兩行小字:有個好心人給咱家寄了些錢,給你一百。要學好 吃好,家裏平安,別挂心。

陳瑞彬


Saturday, 7 July 2007

Cafe Belge, Brighton

Moules and Frites! Mussels and Fries!

Usually when we think of moules and frites,
Belgo in Convent Garden, London is the first one comes to our mind. We love mussels but we don't always goes to London. Is cooking at home the only way to enjoy mussels now? Cafe Belge was recommended to us.

Cafe Belge is situated at Brighton seafront. Inside the restaurant, there are lots of Tintin pictures on the wall. Like many typical Belgian restaurants, they have a long list of beers and drinks on the drink menu. On the food menu, one of the pages is the 50 ways to cook mussels. I had No 17 - Red Thai Curry with Coconut Milk, Chili, Garlic, Wine, Herbs, Cream and Vegetables £11.95 and Fat Bear had No 30 - Spanish - Peppers, Saffron, Sherry, Garlic, Tomato and Prawns £12.50. For dessert, we had Bailey's Cheesecake and Belgian Waffle, of course.

50 Ways to cook mussels

Inside Cafe Belge

No 17 - Red Thai Curry

No 30 - Spanish

Yummy! All Gone!

The New 7 Wonders of the World世界新七大奇蹟

Today is 07/07/07.

Today, the New 7 Wonders of the World was announced during the Official Declaration ceremony in Lisbon, Portugal.


Did you know about this global election of the new seven wonders of the world? Which seven did you vote for?


世界新七大奇蹟投票結果在07年7月7日於葡萄牙里斯本揭盅。
中國萬里長城是首個宣布上榜的新奇蹟

The New 7 Wonders of the World are:
世界新七大奇蹟結果:
  • Chichén Itzá, Mexico 墨西哥奇琴伊察瑪雅城
  • Christ Redeemer, Brazil 巴西里約熱內盧耶穌基督像
  • The Great Wall, China 中國長城
  • Machu Picchu, Peru 秘魯馬丘比丘古城
  • Petra, Jordan 約旦佩特拉古城
  • The Roman Colloseum, Italy 羅馬古競技場
  • The Taj Mahal, India 印度泰姬瑪哈陵

Friday, 6 July 2007

I'm Not a Plastic Bag from Anya Hindmarch

Navy Blue Trim and Wording - A limited edition US version

It is such a famous bag. Anya Hindmarch's "I'm not a plastic bag" has made lot of women in this world gone crazy. I have to say it is mainly because of the designer brand and celebrities effect.

The "I'm not a plastic bag" was co-created by We Are What We Do and UK handbag designer Anya Hindmarch. This campaign is to make the awareness of "Say No to Plastic Bag". It first came out in March this year in Anya Hindmarch's shops in the UK. And also on We Are What We Do website. In April, it was on sale in the big supermarket chain Sainsbury's. The bags flied out the shops and sold out in 2 hours. Now a limited edition of different colour bags are available for people outside UK. The colours are brown (original), green, blue and grey.

I am one of the lucky ones who are able to get hold of this bag in blue via We Are What We Do. To be honest, before I knew about this bag and campaign, I was already using cotton shopper bags (some of them made by my mum) instead of plastic bags. I remember at the beginning, the cashier at the shops looked shocked when I said "I don't need a bag, thanks!" and they said to me "Are you sure?"

I am so happy now people are more aware of this issue and try to reuse and refuse plastic bags.

Go Green People!

Save Our Planet!


The main purpose of this bag is to replace plastic bags


Links to our other postings:
Mineral Make Up
Iceland - Reykjavik - Wednesday 23/05/2007
The Fat Duck - Heston Blumenthal - Three-Michelin-Starred

Monday, 2 July 2007

Pandas in Hong Kong - Le Le, Ying Ying, An An and Jia Jia 大熊貓-樂樂,盈盈,安安和佳佳

To celebrate the Hong Kong SAR 10th anniversary, the two giant pandas Le Le and Ying Ying were given as a gift from the Central government to Hong Kong.

On 1st of July, they were first been viewed by public at Ocean Park. They lives with the Hong Kong first pair of Pandas An An and Jia Jia.

If you wanted to find out more about them, check out their blog.

Panda Blog

大熊貓Blog

Links to our other postings:
Hong Kong SAR 10th Anniversary 香港回歸祖國10週年
White Sugar Steamed Cake 白糖糕
GBK - Gourmet Burger Kitchen

Sunday, 1 July 2007

Hong Kong SAR 10th Anniversary 香港回歸祖國10週年

The 1st July 2007 is the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HK SAR).

There was a large firework display over Victoria Harbour to celebrate this milestone of Hong Kong.

There is a theme song I would like to share.


HKSAR 10th Anniversary - Theme Song

"Just Because You Are Here" - Lyrics


Composed by Peter Kam

English Lyrics by Chan Siu-kei, Peter Kam and Ben Chong


Sparkling lights across the skies
Fill our hearts with pride
Taking us thru' the best of times
Deep within the Dragon's heart
East and west reside
Prosperity with love inside
Lion Rock leads us all the way to the ancient Walls
In harmony we will stand tall
Let the beautiful bauhinia

Blossom in the wind

Flying so strong and free

Holding on to the fire of our dreams

There's a hero in you, a hero in me

Just because you are here

Let your voice be heard for a thousand years

Just because we are here

Let the good times roll for a thousand years

Thru the joy, thru the pain, thru the cheers

We'll do our best every season, every moment

Never giving up

Just because you are here



香港特別行政區成立十周年紀念主題曲

“始終有你”的歌詞

主唱:眾歌手
作曲:金培達
填詞:陳少琪
監製:金培達.陳少琪

歌詞

劉德華:點點燈火彷彿流螢 照亮百家姓 成全這小島變巨星

譚詠麟:東方跟西方的文明 邂逅了衝勁
繁榮這裡 遇上安定

古巨基:明艷紫荊風中爭勝 找對了路徑
花瓣開得繁盛

陳慧琳:人人能力大小也力拼
任誰留下血汗 就是個精英

李克勤:香港始終有你 (香港始終有你)
讓萬眾掌聲響一世紀

合唱: 香港始終有我 (香港始終有我)
十萬個驚喜多一世紀 感謝你 小天地 創天地 盛夏冷冬各種天氣 不捨不棄 才會了不起 香港始終有你

容祖兒:獅子山觸得到長城 血脈裡感應
和諧靠你 賦予生命

陳奕迅:明艷紫荊風中爭勝 找對了路徑
花瓣開得繁盛

Twins: 人人能力大小也力拼
任誰留下血汗 就是個精英

莫華倫:香港始終有你 (香港始終有你)
讓萬眾掌聲響一世紀

李 龍:香港始終有我 (香港始終有我)
十萬個驚喜多一世紀

尹飛燕:感謝你 小天地 創天地


合唱: 盛夏冷冬各種天氣 不捨不棄
才會了不起 香港始終有你

陳奕迅: (國︰因為你在這裡)


合唱: 讓萬眾掌聲響一世紀
香港始終有我

劉德華:(國︰因為我在這裡)


合唱: 十萬個驚喜多一世紀
感謝你 小天地 創天地 盛夏冷冬各種天氣 不捨不棄 才會了不起 香港始終有你

Links to our other postings:
Pandas in Hong Kong - Le Le, Ying Ying, An An and Jia Jia 大熊貓-樂樂,盈盈,安安和佳佳
BHF London to Brighton Bike Ride 2007
Old Harry Rocks, Dorset

Hooray! Smoke Free England - 1st July

A Healthier England from 1st July 2007. The law making virtually all enclosed public places and workplaces in England smokefree. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland already have similar bans in place.

I love it! I love it! I love it! I am soooooo happy. No more secondhand smoke. My hair and clothes will still smell fresh after I have been to a pub, restaurant, etc.

My birth place, Hong Kong is already smoke free since 1st January 2007. Hooray!

Links to our other postings:
Iceland - Blue Lagoon - Friday 25/05/2007
Salty Duck Eggs
鹹蛋
I'm Not a Plastic Bag from Anya Hindmarch

Sunday, 17 June 2007

Goodbye Granddad. I'll miss you.

Today is Father's Day so I phoned home and spoke to my parents.

Got a bad new from my mum. Granddad has passed away. He spent most of last two months in the hospital and on Thursday 14 June he left us.

阿公你好好安息。我會永遠懷念你。我愛你。

Links to our other postings:
I'm Not a Plastic Bag from Anya Hindmarch
Steamed Rice Pudding in Bowl砵仔糕
Rape Seed Field, South Downs, Brighton

BHF London to Brighton Bike Ride 2007

British Heart Foundation London to Brighton Bike Ride 2007

This is UK's largest cycle event which takes place every June on Father's Day. This year there were 27000 people participated and raised money for British Heart Foundation. It was a 54 miles (87km) long ride started at London Clapham Common and finished at Brighton Madeira Drive.

This is the second time Fat Bear took part in the bike ride. The bike ride last year got him started cycling. Last year he finished in 5 hours and 45 minutes which was not bad for someone who just started cycling two months prior. This year he finished in 4 hours and 40 minutes. He was much more prepared than last year. And he really enjoyed it.

The bike ride was not a race as such. The weather was nice just some rain at the beginning. Fat Bear took some water, energy drinks, bananas and energy food bars with him so he could refuel whenever he needed. He took some photos during the ride.

This year I waited for him at the finish line. I was so glad to see him cross the finish line.
I am so proud of him. Well done my Fat Bear. I have to say. I felt so bad that I was not there for him when he crossed the finish line last year. And I still feel bad about it.

At the finish line, I felt quite emotional. Thousands turned up to cheer the rider as they cross the finish line. I was watching all the riders had done so so well to be able to finish the ride. And they were also doing it for a good cause, for British Heart Foundation. I can never done it myself. Well done everyone.

Fat Bear's company had organised a BBQ at the end of Madeira Drive. After we had something to eat and relaxed at the beach. We headed home.

Come on guys. Lets go to the starting point.

At starting point, waiting.

This the the 7:00am group. Look how many of them!

Cycled pass a lavender field.

Up the hill.

Look! Is Fat Bear.

The Finish Line

Check in and get the medal

Fat Bear has done it. Yeah!

BBQ organised by Fat Bear's company.

Everybody can relax now and have some food.

He looked so proud.

Well done guys! You've done great.

Madeira Drive was very busy.

Fat Bear will be back next year.
Click here for more photos.

Links to our other postings:

Skybridge, Petronas Twin Towers KLCC, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
I'm Not a Plastic Bag from Anya Hindmarch
Hooray! Smoke Free England - 1st July

Thursday, 14 June 2007

Mineral Make Up

Have you heard of mineral make up? It is the latest trend in cosmetics toward simple and natural. It is already very popular in the US and UK is now catching up quickly.

I started using mineral make up since September last year. I love it. Mineral make up is made with pure crashed minerals. It blends into skin giving a very natural look and feel of bare skin, while covering problem areas like blemishes and under-eye circles. And very very importantly that mineral make up offers natural, broad-spectrum sun protection, usually at least SPF 15, from crashed titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. Mineral sun screen is much safer then chemical sun screen (I will talk about this in another post). It should not have any artificial fragrances, color and preservatives that would irritate skin. It is good for sensitive skin and acne prone skin.

I have only tried mineral make up in powder form. It is very easy to use. For foundation, it is applied with a big fluffy brush. The brush is dabbed into the powder, swirl the brush in the lid then tap off the excess. The brush is then buff/applied gently to the face. Start by putting on less than you think than you can build up if you need more. There are different brushes for concealer and eye shadows, etc. Just like normal make ups.

I never like the heavy make up look. Before discovering mineral make up, I used tined moisturiser. I really like the look that mineral make up gives. It gives a natural airbrushed look. It also improves my skin, smaller pores and less acne, etc.
I don't think I will go back to ordinary make up now.

More and more cosmetic companies are now starting to get into the mineral make up market.
i.e. L'Oreal. Make sure you choose carefully, the ingredients may not be as pure as you think. They may contain preservatives etc.

The Brands I am using:-
  • Bare Escentuals / Bare Minerals - They are one of the first and most well know in the mineral make up market. They are very propular in the US. I started with their Introductory kit.
  • Everyday Mineral - I ordered the Free Sample Make Up Kit and some other stuff. And I prefer their foundation than Bare Escentuals.
  • Pure Luxe Cosmetics - They do not have the best website in the world, but they have lots of eye colours.
You can find out more about mineral make up and brands from Google.

The Mineral Makeup Blog

Mineral Makeup Ingredients: The Good & Not So Good

Everyday Mineral Ingredients VS Other Brands

Mineral Makeup and Bismuth Oxychloride

Monday, 11 June 2007

Steamed Rice Pudding in Bowl 砵仔糕

I made another Chinese traditional dessert this weekend, Steamed Rice Pudding in Bowls 砵仔糕. Usually they are available in two colours, white or yellow and a choice of with red beans or plain.

Here is the recipe:

Ingredients (Yellow):
  • 1 cup rice flour
  • 2 tbsps glutinous rice flour
  • 1 1/2 tbsps Tang flour
  • 2 cups water
  • 120g brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup red beans (cooked until tender)

Ingredients (White):
  • 1 cup rice flour
  • 2 tbsps glutinous rice flour
  • 1 1/2 tbsps Tang flour
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 1/8 cups coconut milk
  • 120g sugar
  • 1/4 tsp salt

Method:

Yellow:
  1. Mix rice flour, Tang flour and glutinous rice flour. Add 1 cup of water and mix into batter.
  2. Cook brown sugar in 1 cup of water until it dissolves. Add 2 tbsps of the batter and mix well. Set aside to let cool. Add the remaining batter and mix well.
  3. Grease small bowls, Steam for about 5 minutes. Pour in the batter and add red beans. Steam for 15 minutes.
  4. Run a bamboo stick around the inner side of the bowl and then put the bamboo stick through the centre of the rice pudding. Serve.
White:
  1. Mix rice flour, Tang flour, glutinous rice flour and salt. Add coconut milk and mix into batter.
  2. Cook sugar in 1 cup of water until it dissolves. Add 2 tbsps of the batter and mix well. Set aside to let cool. Add the remaining batter and mix well.
  3. Refer to the step (3) and (4) of the previous recipe.
Cooking Tips:

Steam the small bowl in advance can emit out the steam and produce navel-shape at the centre.

I made these!

Histats

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