蝴蝶蘭觀賞日

今天讓我展示在今年香港花展拍回來的蝴蝶蘭照片，它們的細分名稱不詳。如果你們知悉的話，請告訢我！

自身廣告

九龍巴士在自己的巴士上去宣傳其全情服務香港市民，讓大家知道它們的車隊服務整個九龍，全新界及部分港島地區。與此同時，巴士公司替香港市民在這經濟低迷的市道下打打氣，高呼「KMB 2009 全程看 好香港」。

這幅有趣的香港城市的併合圖，當然不少得自己王國的九巴飛船和巴士總站，也見其中一些香港地標及獨特的建築物，你們可否一一找出來嗎？

蘭上加蘭

今年在維多利亞舉行的花展裏，展出了很多品種的蘭花，它們型態美，顏色艷，令我十分陶醉。

當翻查維基百科之後知道蘭花约有超過800個屬(genera)和 25,000個種 ( species)；一些資料列出超過30,000個種。蘭花的品種是哺乳動物品種的四倍或雀鳥品種的兩倍。在種子植物(seed plants)中，蘭花佔了6 – 11%。每年約有800新品種蘭花加入，令蘭花的品種越來越多。

在我來講，有這麼多的蘭花去認識，實屬「難上加難」，不如欣賞一下它們算了；當然最令我難忘的是拖鞋蘭。

斑紋犀牛

第一眼給我看這幅相的感覺是一堆白骨。細看下是一隻身上有斑紋的犀牛，牠和我們常見滿是泥漿的厚皮犀牛截然不同。

這樣貌的犀牛可能是將來進化後有新保護色的的品種都未定。

溶雪景

以前的雪櫃是要不時溶雪的，因為冰格積聚起的冰有幾近一寸厚。不溶雪的話，冰格的容量自然減少很多，況且霜雪的面很黏，很多時把雪藏的東西和雪融合在一起，非常討厭。現在的無霜雪櫃則沒有以上的問題，真多謝科學不斷進步！

這裏的南極照片的景象正正就是這個南半球天然大雪櫃溶雪時的情形。這艘前身是蘇聯有破冰能力的遊輪 Clipper Adventurer 對於水上的細碎未溶化的冰塊不屑一看，徐徐駛入前面的天然良港，用其登陸艇把遊客送上南極洲去圓他們的南極夢。

影像重重曡

如果將同一平面影像以某一間距重曡起來形成的新影像組合，確有不同凡響的觀賞感受。

左面這幅相像美女照X光片的模樣，右面的相中少女則像從時光隧道走過來的，你們同意嗎？

Abby’s First Artwork posted up

It is interesting to study how children look at the world, think and use colours.

More delightfully can we see Abby brush colours freely on papers of outlined butterflies during one of her Pre-school lessons.

The bold use of colours, the strokes with the paintbrush and the interest imposed on drawing must have added much fun to this little girl of three years old. I could not see her satisfaction on her art work when she finished painting, but she ought to be very pleased to see her “art production” posted up on the wall at home. Praises should be added day by day from her teachers, parents and grandparents so that she will find her school a nice place to learn.

The photo shows two butterflies:
[1] The top butterfly was purple-based while Abby added patches of different colours with her paintbrush. I like this one very much. I shall give 90 marks out of 100 to Abby.
[2] The bottom one was orange-based. The colours Abby used were relatively more or less close to that orange, so the colours painted were not so obvious. I shall give 60 marks to her.

木棉鍾無艷

難以想像同一棵木棉樹有一邊盛開紅色的花，葉子不見了，而另外一邊則長滿綠葉。驟眼望過去，這棵木棉樹像走天橋的模特兒穿上新裝，左披綠，右披紅，蠻有趣味的。

有趣模擬圖

近期報紙及電視台有時把報導的新聞用卡通化的模擬圖作解說。
以下是電視台用模擬圖比較由沙田作起點用
(1)八號幹線經沙田嶺隧道、尖山隧道、長沙灣、昂船洲、昂船洲大橋、青衣、青馬大橋、汲水門大橋、北大嶼山公路至香港國際機場。


(2)九號幹線經城門隧道公路，穿過城門隧道，象鼻山道落斜，至回旋處，轉入德士古道北，德士古道，青荃路，過青荃橋，青衣北岸公路，上青馬大橋、過汲水門大橋、走北大嶼山公路至香港國際機場。









據報導，以第(1)路線，即由沙田出發經尖山隧道過昂船洲大橋往青馬大橋至機場，金錢另計，足足賺了五分鐘。

那裏來的五分鐘差距呢？由我駕駛經驗知道第(2)路線比較迂迴，要爬山落斜，經荃灣市區。因部分路段受車速限制，只可行50公里/小時速度，所以耗時比較多。

昂船洲大橋

橫跨藍巴勒海峽 (Rambler’s Channel)的昂船洲大橋終於在今年四月七日駁通了。

多謝無線電視台當日把這條新橋的樣貌供大家認識一下。








以下是該電視台的描述：
昂船洲大橋較汀九橋長一倍，但橋身看上去薄很多。其設計簡潔，海中心無橋墩，全靠224條斜拉索支撐，是繼江蘇的蘇通大橋後全球第二長的斜拉橋。走近點看，拉索上有一個個小孔，像哥爾夫球的表面，可以去水。不過薄身的設計，加上工程受天氣影響，延誤了一年，因而大橋造價由原本的27億增加至37億。路政署主要工程管理處處長周應淳表示大橋是用非常高質素的鋼材，要造防水和路面工程。















昂船洲大橋大概可以在今年年底通車，屆時往來機場的路線會多了一個好選擇。

秋英

今年3月13日至22日在維多利亞公園舉行「2009年香港花卉展覽」。花展以「秋英」為主題花，配合「萬花喜迎東亞運」的主題。

會場展出超過60,000株主題花「秋英」。秋英又名上海菊，原產墨西哥。18世紀傳入歐洲後，輾轉傳遍世界名地，現有約20多個品種。

秋英花色豔麗多變，有紫、洋紅、粉紅、純白及白底鑲邊或紅底白紋等雙色系列，亦有黃花，但較為罕見。秋英是秋末至春季盛放的花卉，不耐酷熱，開花期可長達數月。

究竟大家在這三張照片中可否找齊以上所提及不同顏色的秋英嗎?

Lake Wakatipu

Lake Wakatipu is a narrow, winding, gut-like lake in south-west part of South Island, New Zealand. At one of its bends lies Queenstown. The lake is obviously well-sheltered by high mountains on its sides.

It was morning when Ho Keung and Yin Ping arrived at the lake. It seemed that all was quiet with mountains in the distance, trees in mid-way and lake water in front of them.


Turning their heads to the right, they saw a yellow parachute with a smiling face (哈哈笑) flying in the air. Searching with their eyes, they could see a speed boat on their right hand side pulling the parachute in mid-air.

If they had a telescopic lens in their camera, they ought to see the parachute lifting two people up in the air. These people were enjoying their flight over the lake while the crewman of the speedboat below were steering. Near the shore, two ducks had their swim for a morning exercise.

Cake-cutting Ceremony

We felt more important when Mr. Yuen, our present principal, invited us to join him and the rest of the School Managers CCSC to take a photo before the enormous anniversary cake was cut.

I cannot tell all the names of the Managers but just some. I must mention my former principal, Mr. Leung who was in his beige-coloured suit in the centre between our present school Supervisor, Mr. Chan Kam Toi and Ms Chan Siu Wan, May (in red overcoat). The Young gentleman to the right of our Supervisor was Mr. Raymond Cheung, the son of our late founder of the school, Mr. Cheung Yok Luen.

Our teachers, retirees we ought to say, were standing at the far end with Mr. Yuen (one showing the whole grey tie). We were Miss M. Ng, Mrs. D. Chan, Miss Fok, Miss Winnie Wong and behind Mr. Fung, Mr. Wat.

The cake was finally cut by the Supervisor K.T. Chan and our Special Quest, Raymond Cheung. We had had the honour to taste one fraction of the cake at the Geography Room. What fraction? It might be in hundredths.

Big Harvest in April

What you see here is an extraordinary big Chiq Qua (巨型節瓜), planted by Chung’s Family in Sydney, Australia. The latest harvest was on April 2nd this year.

When I first saw it in my e-mail, it was like a newly born baby lying on a weighing machine taking its weight for record. The Chiq Qua looked healthily green with many short hairs growing on its surface. There were little patches of light green spots over the body making it look like a spotted dog. Its mid-section was narrower than the two ends. I guess ladies like such a figure.

Let us see how the Chung’s family described to me their products:

“Since we came back to Australia we have eaten three big 節瓜. They are very delicious and 爽.

Today I cut another eight. They weigh from 0.87kg to 2.2kg (3.52斤). We'll give some to our church friends. The picture here shows the largest one of all.”

I deeply wish that there will be a better yield in the next harvest in Chung's garden and I am waiting to see an even larger giant Chiq Qua than this.

Dora

Having heard two weeks ago that Abby likes to see the new cartoon figure, “Dora” in TV, my wife and I at once searched for “her” from the Internet. It did not take long for us to find her lovely face. I photographed “her” in my mind and we began to search for “her” on any of the articles from shops or department stores that we suspected her to appear. Not until one night last week, I discovered her on a small towel displayed on a temporary stall at City One. This feeling suddenly came to me: 踏破鐵鞋無覓處，得來全不費功夫。How happy I was at that time! In actual practice, my shoes had not been worn out yet.

Do you know why the “Dora” on this towel is so impressive to me? I have seen a photo of Abby wearing her small pink bag, having returned from her pre-school lessons, accompanied by Philip. Connie said that she was the photographer of that photo. Abby looks 95% like the “Dora” on the towel. The remaining 5% was deducted for clothing. Dora wears a “T “shirt and shorts while Abby wore heavy coats while she was walking on snow home.

Recently, we showed the towel to Abby through "Skype" and asked her for the name of the little girl on the towel? She immediately exclaimed, "Dora" because she knows her well.

What did Abby say to us next? She was so clever to say, "Thank you". I guessed she supposed the towel to be a "Gift" to her. We said, " Bravo, you are so smart. It is for you."

Taking a Group photo

Taking a Group Photo is easy because a click at the shutter button will finish the process.
Taking a Perfect Group Photo is difficult because the photographer should ensure that all the people are looking at him/her in the same direction. “Look this way. One, two, three.” is the best solution.

Looking at this photo taken at CCSC 40th Anniversary Dinner, you may find that not all the teachers and past students were ready to have photos taken at the moment when the shutter button was depressed. Some were looking to the left and some to the right. Some were talking. Some newly arrived. Some were looking for more new-comers to join the photo-taking.

Let us look at our teachers:
[1] Mrs. D. Chan and Mrs. Ko were watching the arrival of Miss Su.
[2] Mrs. J. Wong was looking down, perhaps on her shoes.
[3] Mr. Leung, our former principal, Mrs. Sinn and Mr. Kwok were ready because they sat properly and smiled lightly.
[4] Miss Winnie Wong and Miss M. Ng opened their mouths as if they had something to say.

This is an interesting group photo, isn’t it? Special thanks to the student whom I handed over my camera to. Without him, this photo could not be taken!

Souvenirs of CCSC 40th Anniversary

These are some of the souvenirs of CCSC 40th Anniversary.

Let those who have not seen these souvenirs guess what they are. Here I name the souvenirs as A (top left), B (top right), C (bottom left) and D (bottom right).

Guess and write down your answers by clicking the green word “Comment”.
A looks like a tent, but it is not a tent.
B looks like a rubber, but it is not a rubber.
C looks like a mirror, but it is not a mirror.
D looks like a spring, but it is not a spring.

Sisters singing together

Judy Leung and Ady Leung were once CCSC students. They are sisters who study in the same school. Now that 2009 is the 40th Anniversary Year of CCSC, they came and sang together on our stage on Anniversary Nite. The two songs they sang were “回家” and “伴我同行”.

The two songs were beautifully sung by these two sisters. The first song conveyed somehow the idea that they were home-coming to CCSC and the second that they grew with the school.
I faintly remember that I have taught Ady Leung, but not Judy.

That brothers, sisters or brother and sister study at CCSC is very common. I was so lucky to have taught the following brother and sister:
[1] Florence Hui and Christopher Hui
[2] Yeda Hong and Timothy Hong
[3] Jacky Chan and Amy Chan

I will add some more to this list when I recall them.

The above pairs of brother and sister prove themselves to be brilliant students of CCSC and they are now serving Hong Kong in different fields.

瑪莉亞的方飽

昨晚去超群餅店(Maria's) 買方飽，四元半有四塊。付錢的時候，店員送上四小盒果醬。這小惠的確令心裏面冒出驚喜。

以前這些小小果醬大多出現在飛機餐上，酒店餐桌上，麥當當早餐盤上，今次竟然是買一塊方飽送一小盒果醬。





細看這些果醬是外國貨，是加拿大出品，有橙皮占和士多啤梨占；每盒果醬足以塗上半塊方飽，其保鮮期在六日後完結，相信不需一日甜絲絲的味道會帶來絲毫的回憶。

另記以下資料作參考:
美心方飽十元八塊，嘉頓的是七元四角八塊，瑪莉亞的則在前兩者之中間價。

指鹿為馬

這張廣告令我想起「指鹿為馬」這句成語。有些人顚倒是非，故意朦混，令人氣憤。

無疑問今次這廣告是一隻有美麗豹紋的大象，正正帶出某絲印公司的製作能力。

近年有二合一產品，如二合一包裝奶茶，八達通手錶，攝錄相機，動能互換的環保汽車，羗汁維他奶，檸檬可樂，金桔蜂蜜等等。

我們常見的三合一的食品或飲品有奶醬多士，鴛鴦飯(白汁茄汁飯)，鴛鴦奶茶，檸蜜柚子茶。

古代的或傳說中的二合一動物則有人頭馬、美人魚、獅身人及魚尾獅等等。

Mosaic Walls (1)

Let us look at this mosaic wall.

The children in the picture are running hand-in-hand. They all look cheerful and friendly.

This reminds of our visit (my wife and I) to the Kindergarten (only 4 classes) of Maryknoll Convent School many years ago:

It was recess time. The primary school girls were running, circling delightfully round the campus. They looked very much like bees swarming in their nest. To spot our daughter was difficult indeed. I did not remember why my wife and I were there. It must be an open day perhaps or we were planning to take our daughter home by ourselves that day.

We enjoyed seeing so many happy young kids running about. I believed my daughter would not run in that way. She would rather talk with her friends while walking up and down the gravel-made pavement or ground or grass or visiting the tuck shop, buying those red sausages which she thought tasty to eat.

In those days when my daughter was in primary or kindergarten, girls of Maryknoll wore beautiful school uniforms, in light blue or light orange, a little stitched to make them look not so plain. The uniforms looked like those worn by the two children on the left in the mosaic picture, but were a little shorter in length and without sleeves. The convent-styled school buildings of Maryknoll stood modestly on Waterloo Road. Almost after school, usually a long line of private cars were waiting outside school to pick up their children. On the other side, school buses were waiting and ready to escort these lovely children safely home. In one of these school buses sat my daughter, Connie with one of her friends, Carina.

Cattle is everywhere

Daisy Mak, Texas based, sent me photos of a lovely calf and an adult cow today. The former was so curious to stop on its way along the road and take a look at what people were doing. The latter was her mother watching closely at her baby.

This is the latest description by Daisy of the calf and the mother:

"Normally we don't see cow on the road. It is illegal if the ranch owner doesn't keep their cattle inside. This little cow was naughty and jumped over a fence (I guessed). He only appeared for a short time and went back to join his mother that you saw in another photo."

From my point of view, the calf and the cow were among the respectable animals which made Texas famous in livestock.

Here is an extract from Wikipedia:
“Texas leads the nation livestock production. Cattle is the state's most valuable agricultural product.”
I wonder if the agricultural product means its meat or dairy products.