Christmas Party for Children

To us, December 24 night was a Christmas Party for Children and a birthday party for adults.

Jasmine and Hayley met Dr. Lau’s two daughters, Emily and Elka. At the garden, they played glowing balls, a mini-slide, crawling into a tent, throwing balls into mid-air and bouncing on a soft mattress. Hayley, in her Santa Claus dress even rolled herself down to the mattress or even laid herself on the grass. Parents of Jasmine and Hayley together with Tony took photos of the children while others kept watching the four girls play.

Inside the house the girls’ team sat together with their mothers to take some cute photos.

借東西的小矮人 亞莉亞蒂

我前天經過旺角新世紀廣場，發現其中庭舉辦一個名叫日本宮崎駿新作《借東西的小矮人 亞莉亞蒂》“放大”聖誕派對展覽。

細心看展覽，感覺自己走進大人國，身邊的毛毛龍貓大得驚人，周圍都是奇花異草，花朵大得像小雨傘，葉子很像熱帶的芭蕉葉。縮小的屋子模型正是卡通片故事發生的地方，其佈置極度細緻，有趣，很像大家愛看的玩具屋。

穿上紅色裙子的大女孩就是亞莉亞蒂，頭上結了大大的蝴蝶結，面露笑容，甚可愛。

Doraemon at Lok Fu

This Tuesday at Lok Fu, all of a sudden, the cartoon figures of “Doraemon” characters on the stage at the multi-purpose courtyard caught my eyes. They all look vivid. The sizes of these figures look more or less like ours.

What I could find here on the stage were:
[1] Doraemon (叮噹/多啦A夢)
[2] Nobita Nobi (大雄)
[3] Shizuka Minamoto (靜香)
[4] Takeshi Goda (胖虎), nickname “Gian”
[5] Suneo Honekawa (小夫)

Let us see these characters closely:

Doraemon, a robotic cat, was always in my mind when I was young. He is a very kind, true, friendly, intelligent and interesting character. He possesses a 4D pocket from which he can get various kinds of futuristic tools, gadgets, and playthings from a future department store. Doraemon originally had ears, but they were bitten off by a robotic mouse in the 22nd century. As a result, he developed the fear of mice despite being a robotic cat.

Nobita Nobi wears glasses, a red or yellow polo shirt with a white collar, and blue shorts. Nobita is lazy, uncoordinated, dim-witted, frail, plain-looking, unlucky, and bad at sports. Nobita is used to arriving late on classes, scoring zeros in his tests, getting lectured by his teacher, being bullied by his classmates Gian and Suneo, falling into curbside rain gutters, being chased by dogs, and getting scolded by his mom for his sloth and poor academic results.

Shizuka is the smart, kind, and pretty girl next door to Nobita. Nobita is fond of her. She takes baths several times a day. Nobita often disrupts her in the bath due to some misuse of Doraemon's gadgets, resulting in Nobita's head getting dunked. She does not like piano lessons but they are used as excuses for declining to hang out with Nobita. Her true passions are sweet potatoes, which she'd rather keep to herself out of the knowledge of others, and the violin, in which her playing is as bad as Gian's singing. Owing to Doraemon's intervention, Shizuka will become Nobita's wife in the future timeline, and the mother of his son.

Takeshi is the big, strong, and quick-tempered local bully. He is known for his confidence in his terrible singing voice, though he considers himself a great singer. He frequently steals other children's toys and books under the pretext of "borrowing" them, unless the toy is damaged. However, he does not hesitate to help Nobita and his friends when they are in real trouble.

Suneo is the fox-faced (inherited from his mother) rich kid who loves to show off his material wealth before everyone. He is often seen with Gian, serving as Gian's lackey while they bully Nobita together, though he fears and despises him as much as everyone else. He has an good knowledge of science, and is a talented artist and designer. He has the habit to invite Gian and Shizuka to something or somewhere, but always leave Nobita out with one excuse or another.

December Snow in Europe

Recently snow falls in Europe. England, France and Germany are affected. The snow has upset the operations of the international airports in these countries such as London Heathrow Airport (England), Charles De Gaulle Paris International Airport (France) and Frankfurt am Main Airport (Germany). Tons of snow on the runways and on planes should be cleared before flights. Many flights are cancelled and only a fraction of the planes can take off or land.

The airports are in chaos. Passengers are stranded. Some have to sleep on the floor, having no bath and they have to find for food themselves. The airports are really like refugee camps.

Recent news says that Heathrow Airport lacks of ice-melting chemicals to remove the snow on the planes. The British army can help removing the snow on the runways, but the Spanish-managing authority at the airport refuses the idea. If the weather turns better, the runways cleared and the planes defrosted, the flights of planes will soon resume.

The traffic on land is equally bad. The “Eurostar” has reduced its service because they cannot travel at high speed on slippery rails. The roads are congested and drivers need to drive cautiously for safety.

Sunset Trains on the rails

I seldom take photos of trains, but today it is different. I wake up to find the setting sun still high up. The orange to red reflections of sunlight on this part of MOS rails attract my attention. I cannot help finding my cameras to take photos of the rails and the trains that run soundlessly to and from the nearby City One Station.

What interests me here is the glamour of red lights shining on the railway lines. I trust it is just a narrow chance to see such a scene on the rails. The temporary “clear” sky, the angle of rays of the setting sun and the time of discovery all match together to form photos like these.

Please double-click to see larger photos.

First Breakfast at new Fairwood, City One

Today we rushed to Fairwood early in the morning, just in time to find an empty table for us. My wife sat down first while I turned to buy a breakfast. I chose scrambled egg, fish fillet, white radish pudding with milk tea. It cost 22 dollars. I added an extra bowl of macaroni with shredded ham (another 3 dollars). The same kind of breakfast cost more or less the same in the brotherhood Café de Coral.

The breakfast came with food lying close together like neighbouring countries on a map of Europe. The crust on the fish fillet here is softer and thinner than that of Café de Coral. The latter is usually as hard as a shell. We find the paste of mayonnaise at a corner while that of CDC comes in a tiny plastic round cup. There is no big difference in the scrambled egg and radish pudding in both fast food restaurants when compared. The only big surprise came from the slice of lemon that went with the fish fillet. This told us that Fairwood really “cares” about the customer's need.

I could see hot steam coming up from the bowl of macaroni. My wife added that the soup base of the macaroni was not transparent, but milky in some way.

The last thing I have to mention here is that the fish fillet provided by KFC has a spicy taste which I like most.

In the photo, my wife was like playing magic with her hands to make the dish of food appear before her.

A Glimpse at Fairwood at City One

Let us take a look at the new branch of “Fairwood” Fastfood Restaurant at City One.

The orange colour used by the restaurant is attractive and striking to the eye. I love its modern-look. I hope it serves delicious food to the customers, among which are my family members.

I also hope that the food is sold at a fair price so that everyone can afford.

What can you see from these pictures?

I can tell you that it is a figure side-somersaulting. The figure looks like the letter “大” rolling round and round. Such rolling letters create “movement” and movement of our bodies means doing physical exercises.

After doing physical exercises, we need to refill ourselves with food. Behind these wall pictures is the kitchen which provides food for us. This is the new “Fairwood” branch due to open tomorrow, December 19, Sunday, 2010 in Ngan Shing Shopping Centre at City One.

Recent M & M

To buy M & M clothes from Bossini shops, customers have to surrender their empty packet bags of M & M Chocolate beans. A new discovery comes that the beans become bigger, thicker and richer in taste. To me, the chocolate taste lasts longer in the mouth. The packet of chocolate we chose contain peanut butter which my family likes.


I totally agree that such improvement will make the chocolate lovers like M & M more. Recently, I notice that the M & M dolls look very lovely at our supermarkets, but they are too expensive for me to collect. I simply look, smile and go.

Merry Christmas

Many new shops have been recently opened after renovation in Ngan Shing Shopping Centre at City One.

It is the first time to see Christmas decorations in this centre. At its central square Christmas trees and “sleepy” dolls are placed. My wife tells me that these dolls are called MashiMaro (賤兔). According to history, they were born in May 8, 1999 in Korea, created by ”金在仁”先生. It is quite interesting to learn that the name comes from “marshmallow”.

May I say Merry Christmas to you all, my blog readers, and wish you all the best to come in the coming year 2011.

I have to announce a happy piece of news today: As from September 9, 2007 up to yesterday, December 13 , 2010, the total number of unique readers of my blog has reached 2001, just over 2000. I never expect to have such a large number of visitors here. Thanks to everyone who peeps in and reads my articles.

亞洲星光大道3歌唱比賽決賽

以上是亞洲星光大道3歌唱比賽決賽精彩照片集

亞洲星光大道3決賽

經過大半年不斷的參賽者比試,亞洲星光大道3歌唱比賽決賽終於在昨晚播出.

在首兩輪唱歌過後,最後六強中, 攪笑氣氛相當好的日本三人組合JAC名列第六,而被大會評判之一Walter Ma看好的李麗珊(嬌滴滴穿紅衣的那一位)則獲得第五名.

留下來的四位比賽者是兩男兩女:分別是譚焌釗(Leslie), 盧思穎(Nicole), 楊麗珊(Gretchell)和鄭昆洪.經過一輪比賽,大家所得的分數非常接近,高大威猛的譚焌釗以0.1分失敗了.
接下來的是最後三強比賽, 楊麗珊把握其首本高水準的英文歌從後居上把自己的分數推向最高,而盧思穎只獲得第三名.

最後, 鄭昆洪和楊麗珊各人要唱多一首歌,由評判決定誰是冠軍.
楊麗珊唱得特別出色, 以一曲我是一隻小小鳥贏得冠軍

現在讓我從上面照片介紹一下這六個參賽賽員/單位:

左上角是JAC主歌手,他的兩位拍檔分別是結他手和鼓手;三位是出色的樂隊組合.
右上角那位英俊斯文的是譚焌釗,適合唱柔情的歌.
左下二是鄭昆洪,唱功不俗
右下二是盧思穎,唱出的歌很悅耳
左下角楊麗珊是今次冠軍,樣子甜美,唱英文歌特別出色,音域廣闊,可以和無線電視超級巨聲2的冠軍林欣彤可相比.這兩位未來歌手前途一定無可限量.
右下角是李麗珊, 唱歌算幾好

Huge Waves at Sea

Man Kin, one of primary school classmates, sent us a video of ships rocking through rough seas. His good friends, Man Fai and Fred Chak, soon responded. Below are their experiences at sea. Although they worked in different ships, their jobs were to communicate with the outside world. Their ships sailed in different oceans. Except Man Fai, Man Kin and Fred Chak both thought of their families and Life & Death when huge waves struck hard at their ships.

REMEMBER to DOUBLE-CLICK the collage photo to see larger pictures.

Man Kin: I had experienced huge waves several times, once in the Indian Ocean just off the coast of South Africa, and couple of times in the South China Sea.

Man Fai: I have personally experienced 50-knot wind and 40-foot wave in the Mediterranean off the southern coast of France. Fortunately, I was safely on a 82000-ton cruise liner (950 ft long with stabilizers) and not on my first ship, which was only 3000 tons. I had two other rough ones in the south Atlantic, and both were worse than the weather in the video.

Fred Chak: The ships I worked 30 years ago were mostly around 5000 tons. During the worst case, everyone on board had to wear life jackets and securely pocketed our passports preparing for the capsize of the ship at any moment. I felt deeply sick and could only lie on bed, stabilizing myself by pressing my arms and feet against the wall and the bed railings. Things in my cabin were thrown everywhere. My cabin was next to the bridge and the captain's cabin which was the highest cabin on the ship. However, some of the waves hit the ship over the funnel and the seawater broke open the outside doors and rushed through the corridor! The chef couldn't cook and my steward brought to me meals which were just sandwiches and tin food. I felt extremely guilty to see him (aged almost 50) struggling painfully up the stairs to bring the food to me. However I could not eat and drink. I just worried for my family folks who needed my support. I prayed for myself and everyone's safety. It was hell then and life was not easy. That was how we seamen earned a living!

Man Kin: “No fear” was not the feeling. While I encountered rough seas like that, I tried to comfort myself by leaving it to fate, and my thinking was along the line: “if my time is up, my time is up; there is not much I can do”, though I tried to keep faith with the crew and the ship too. Luckily, I was a born sailor as I did not suffer seasickness. When I was not on duty in the radio room, I usually stayed up in the bridge with the captain, the duty officer and the quarter-master. They tend to appreciate my presence. I pitied the engineers and the engine room crew, as they usually suffered seasickness worse than those above deck (probably due to the smell of oil and enclosed space which made it more difficult to sense the ship’s pitching, rolling and gyrating).

Like Ah Chak, my family folks would need my financial support, but my wishful thinking was that if I perished with the ship, there should be a huge insurance payout to my family as compensation. How silly and immature was I in those days? Lucky for me, my seafaring days were mostly sunny and calm, rough seas might be about 10% of the time. The best ship I sailed on was an ex-passenger ship so I spent most afternoons around the swimming pool and evenings in the bar. At that time, we spent a fair bit of time anchoring in the Persian Gulf waiting for berthing (the Arabs had money to buy from all over the world but their harbours were not that well advanced to handle the volume), so we sometimes invited crew members from other waiting ships to ours to have BBQ parties, drinks, movies… and this poor RO would have to handle the projector (changed films a few times per movie) !!! In general, I had a good life during those few years at sea; where else would you have a steward serving me and keeping me well fed (3 meals a day, couple of tea breaks and supper), tidying up my room, washing/ironing my clothes, shining my shoes, and taking care of odd jobs for me (only a small tip every now and then)?
Those were the days…

Man Fai: I enjoyed immensely my days as a seaman. Like my fellow sailor classmates, I had to support my family, which I undertook cheerfully. And very much like Ah Kin, I fortunately did not and still do not suffer from seasick, and spent many off-duty hours on the bridge too. Otherwise I read and listened to music from radio; my favorite stations included Radio HK, Radio Luxembourg and Lourenco Marques Radio (now Maputo, Mozambique).

When encountering rough weather, I never experience fear or even concern, and did not think of death nor had to pray. Right, Wai-Han, indeed it was good to be young. 初生之犢, so fearless and ignorant! I had my fair share of bad weather: for example my ship the 3000-ton Norwegian M/V Tarva, was battered by a typhoon from the Taiwan Strait all the way into the middle of the South China Sea. For three days we had no sightings and steered by dead reckoning only. On the fourth day, we found we were almost a hundred miles off course. Another time I was on a 20000-ton Greek tanker, M/T Antares, sailing from Mombasa to Montevideo. The normal course after rounding the Cape of Good Hope is to sail straight west. However, my new, 33 years old captain (I thought he was “mature” as I was only 23 then), on his first ever command; decided to take the great circle route (GCR) since it was fair summer. Though shorter, the GCR would bring us much further south and deep into the Roaring Forties. Half way through the crossing in the middle of the South Atlantic, a storm hit. The chief officer actually took me to mid-ship to feel the vibrations caused by long wavelength swells, which could break the ship in half. My captain stayed on the bridge after dinner, we chatted and he explained how he was steering the ship across the swells. Then I went on watch (duty), checked and found the nearest ship was over 300 miles away, and would take over a day to come to our rescue. With the frigid sea in the area, we would only last minutes in the water. Anyway before I went to bed, I scoured my closet nonchalantly, found the life jacket, and placed it for the first time ever beside my bed. I then promptly fell sound asleep. When I woke up next morning, the storm had subsided. My chief officer told me our captain stayed up all night till early morning. He probably would never venture into the Roaring Forties for the rest of his career.

Their sea adventures are exciting. aren't they?

Dolls crowned Kings and Queens

We often see "Kings" and "Queens" on pokers or in historic films about kingdoms.

Today I came across these kings and queens at Sunshine City. They looked rather like dolls because they were all baby-faced and big-eyed. Some had moustaches which might mean they were kings. Those without could be queens.

I saw mothers ask their children to stand near the dolls to have pictures taken. This might be a playhouse for children instead of a doll display.

A sports car raced with a 747

On September 6, 2009, there was an interesting race between a sports car and a Cargo 747 plane at Singapore Changi Airport. The race was broadcast to the public.

The pilot of the plane (in white shirt) and the car driver took a photo before the game was played.

This heavy cargo plane had to power up before it could start. It must be a long-distance run for both to make the race exciting. The plane started off first and the race car started next. No wonder the sports car could accelerate fast and chase past the giant Hercules 747 on the ground. The sports car won.

A New Advertisement

This Chinese Pill advertisement is comfortable to look at. The designer of the advertisement connects “the luggage delivery belt at an airport” with “the intestine of the human body”. The left-hand side of the belt displays the disorder and discomfort inside the intestine while the right-hand one shows the neat and fluent flow of our food/waste. This advertisement shows clearly to people two situations in our intestine, normal and abnormal. Of course, with the effect of the pills if taken will turn the situation from bad to good.

The slogan of the manufacturer is always like this:

常備XX丸，有病唔駛怕

Do you know what XX are?

What can you say about how the luggage lays on the delivery belt at the airport of your country? Does the luggage lay neatly like the right-hand side of the belt as in the above photo or in the way like the left-hand side?

Leaves shape differently

Leaves are beautiful when we look at their colours, patterns and shapes. They grow wisely and spread their solar-panel-like surfaces to receive sunshine for Photosynthesis.

The shapes of leaves are interesting. Some are in shapes of fans, hearts, teeth, saws and....... There are interesting simple and compound leaves which fascinate people like me who love Nature.

In the photo, the green leaves and red flowers of 紅掌 look very much like brothers and sisters. I like, particularly, the large leaves of a plant in the top right photo because they are dented like the coastline of Norway.

The variations in shapes and colours of leaves are mixed to form seas of green foliage in the countryside or fields or woods or forests.

Elly learning to undress

It is a big step for Elly today that she demonstrates how to take off her jumper by herself. She knows exactly how to pull the jumper over her head first, then out from her arms and finally throws it away.

Elly writes a new record of undressing her jumper within 1 minute without difficulty. Under the request of her mum, she demonstrates her skill again to her dad. To record this, Abby took a short video of her little sister in doing so.

Going Crazy on such Roller coasters

If I were on such roller coasters in the photo, I would go crazy. It is not height that matters. There are so many curls that the roller coasters have to overcome. The designer of this game wants to swing, whirl and overturn people about so that the latter get excited with their hearts beating fast, faces twisted and brains go crazy by centrifugal force.

Perhaps such games suit young people with strong hearts and those who are going to be trained as pilots or astronauts.

Looking at Seattle from Space Needle

Looking at Seattle at the top of Space Needle is enjoyable.

Everything seems flat underneath when we look at it from the top of this land mark of Seattle. The following photos show the views from Space Needle.

Top left photo: Looking north-westward, we can see Puget Sound, the sea leading out to the Pacific. Near the shore where some ships lie are the Government Docks.

Top centre photo: Immediately below and moving up a low-lying hill is a residential area called Queen Anne Hill. It is notable by its three tall broadcast masts.

Top right photo: The piece of water is Lake Union. Any ship going towards Lake Washington must pass through this lake. The district surrounding and to the south of the lake is called South Lake Union.

Middle left photo: Looking eastward, we may see districts of South Lake Union and a further on to Capitol Hill and First Hill.

Central photo: To the south south-west, we can see Elliot Bay with a number of piers at the waterfront.

Middle right photo: To the south lies first Belltown, next Pike Place Market, Business Centre (skyscrapers centralized here), further on lie Pioneer Square and International District.

Bottom left photo: A closer look at the dockyards at Harbor Island.

Bottom centrel photo: It is a common sight of vehicular and passenger ferries running between Seattle and its neighbouring islands.

Bottom right photo: This is again a north-westerly view showing a large ship unloading and deep-sea piers for parking of ocean-going ships and cargo ships.

On a Hot pot

Iceland sits on a hot pot supported by several active volcanoes. A scientist says that if Iceland had not been on a hot spot, Iceland would not have exist at all. It was long created by the cooling down of hot magma which came out from the vent of a large underwater volcano. A large amount of magma jutted out of the water surface and cooled down to form Iceland.

Geographically, Iceland locates on the edge of two big plates of land in mid-Atlantic Ocean. These two land plates move apart at the speed of 2 centimetres each year. Gradually cracks appear. Magma flows into pipes that lead to these cracks and thus smoke of steam is emitted at the weak points and magma begins to ooze out to the vents of volcanoes. In less than 100, 000 square Kilometres of Iceland, there are over 15 volcanoes spreading along the cracks created by the moving plates. In each century, there is an average of 20 explosions.

Iceland ranks the most volcano activities in the world and the recent eruptions (on March 20and in April/May, 2010) of the Eyjafjallajokull (埃亞菲亞德拉火山) have upset the flight of most planes over Europe for weeks and months.

What are for sale at Pike Place Market?

Not only fruits and vegetables are major food sold here at Pike Place Market, Seattle, a large amount of fresh or chilled seafood are ready for sale.

Other attractions visitors or local people go to crafts. One of the stalls sells simple wooden toys, daggers made from horns of animals, gems, small colourful pictures, decorative pottery of bowls and dishes. Here bouquets of flowers are readily made and sold.

Lower down the markets there are shops selling religious statues and decorative masks and crafts. A toy shop sells all kinds of model cars, motor-bikes, trucks and buses.

Elly on the Screen

Through Skype, we can see Elly’s activities at home.

[1] To play "shape-recognition" each time correctly, Elly was so clever as to choose and push the easiest green cylinder into the its slot. When the cylinder drops into the box below, she finds it and take it out again for the next “sure” win slot. She never bothers those difficult shapes. What we adults concern is to which hand Elly uses to push the cylinder, left or right? Will Elly become left-handed? We puzzle……

[2] Elly easily grasps her drinking and sucking skills. She even bites the straw and play with it.

[3] We often find brothers fighting. The scene of two civilized sisters, hand in hand, dancing makes us feel warm and touched. Due to different heights, they fall down on the ground and the dancing ends.

[4] The “thinking”, “Nothing” and “Hiding” poses are perfect reflections from Elly.

[5] Elly loves riding a “springing” horse at home. Once she is on it, she rides madly and makes it gallop. The four supporting elastic bands help the horse dive its head when Elly pushes the handles forward.

[6] In the second last photo, I do not know if Elly has kindly shared her seat to the toy giraffe or not. If that is the case, she knows “sharing” and that an animal like Giraffe needs rest.

[7] Sometimes, Elly put her hands at her mouth. What does that mean? We have to guess....

Sand Pictures

These sand pictures show the skill of the artist who makes them. Not only the person he draws looks very much like the real one, the rose on the right of the pictures also grows and blossoms. How amazing it is to see this artist use only his hands and fingers to space out sand on a piece of glass! He is playing “magic”.

Notice that a sand picture can be created in a very short time. With several strokes of the hands or fingers, the picture changes. Moreover, it is eco-friendly because besides sand, no paint, water or other material is used.

The Main Theme Song of Laputa

Recently, I chanced to hear the main theme song of the cartoon film, “Laputa” (天空之城), from a video in Facebook, sung by choirs composed of 800 Japanese youngsters of different ages and music played by an orchestra. I was drunk in the music because the theme song in the original film “Laputa” was pure instrumental music with no voices.


To listen to the song sung by Japanese choirs, please click the word “Laputa” in blue.

The photos (double-click to enlarge them) show how Paza and Sheeta found Laputa and what Laputa looks like:
[1] The whole castle looks like a Tree with roots at its base.
[2] Paza and Sheeta landed on a piece of grass lawn.
[3] They met a giant robot.
[4] They explored went through forests of trees.
[5] They also went round the fortified towers the castle.
[6] They found small animals and birds except human.

Our Strongest lady cyclist in Hong Kong

Our lady cyclist, Wong Wan Yiu (黃韻瑤), won the Silver medal in Women’s points race in the Asian Games 2010 on November 16, 2010. During the race, her bike hit into the back wheel of her opponent, giving her a fall and some other athletes ran their bikes over her chest. Her team mate, 刁小娟, who should have a great chance to win, also fell and broke her shoulder. Although Wan Yiu had great pain at her chest, she climbed back to her bike and struggled on. Her eagerness to compete and determination to get a medal did bring her a Silver.

She told the press that when she was down on the ground, she felt that her ribs were run over by several bikes. She explained that she did not want to give up the race since it would be the very last time this points race appeared in Asian Games. This kind of races has been abolished in the Olympics. The fact that this was her last chance to race in such an event, she drove on in spite of her great pain at the ribs.

At the Prize-giving ceremony, it was touching to see Wan Yiu moved and shed her tears.

We, as citizens of Hong Kong, should greet her with applause. Her SUCCESS is our PRIDE.

Please Double-click to enlarge photo.

Astro Boy

Yesterday I passed the bus terminus near my home. I saw a black "182" bus on which was a large cartoon figure which I believe I have seen it somewhere, but I can’t remember where. Taking a closer look, I learn that he is called Astro Boy.

From the web, I learn that Astro Boy is the chief character of a 2009 computer-animated 3-D film called Atom (Atomu) in Japan, Astro Boy, worldwide. It is based on the long-running Japanese series of the same name by Osamu Tezuka.

A trailer of the movie was shown in the North American Home Theater of PlayStation Home from December 28, 2008 to January 8, 2009. The movie was released first in Japan on October 10, 2009, then in the USA on October 23, 2009 and finally in the UK on February 5, 2010.

Astro Boy is about a young robot in futuristic Metro City with incredible powers. A brilliant scientist secretly created him in the image of the son who died earlier. Unable to fulfill the grieving man's expectations, Astro Boy embarks on a journey in search of acceptance, experiencing betrayal and a netherworld of robot gladiators, before he returns to save Metro City and reconcile with the father who had rejected him. He soon becomes a world famous super-hero and faces his biggest challenge when an alien race threatens Earth.

I found a trailer on the web which shows me a wonderful video clip. If you are interested in watching the trailer, please click the link at the first "Astro Boy" (in blue colour).

The Handover

Yesterday, November 20, 2010, the CCSC OSA entered an era of “Change”. The new cabinet comprises of old students of different years. Unlike in the old days, only the Form 7 CCSC graduates took over the OSA. These graduates were “Fresh”, but not “Old”.

The handover meeting of OSA, from old cabinet to new, was carried out in Needlework Room at around 3 o’clock.

Since I was a teacher of the school, I could not vote for anything. From an onlooker's point of view, I found the following interesting:

[1] The two parties of students, cabinets of new and old, sat oppositely in two lines, like two armies confronting at a land battle in the Middle Ages.

[2] Hiking, in the name of charity, was the only activity of the year 2009 – 2010. Not a single cent was donated.

[3] The past OSA cabinet (2009 -2010) could not use any money inherited because one of those students who were responsible for signing cheques had gone overseas. Although the total expenses were low, the cabinet shouldered the money by themselves.

[4] The members of the new cabinet found out that some dates and names of committee members were missing in the OSA reports.

[5] The adoptions of the reports (2009 -2010) were made quickly and votes of supporting the new cabinet were counted (some of the votes came from proxies). Some queries were made for clarification during the meeting.

[6] In the financial report, the interest from bank for the year was just 45 cents.

The seating of cabinets was "switched" vice versa after the old cabinet finished giving the reports. The members of the new cabinet introduced themselves one by one. The chairman, Benny Koo, the Vice-chairman, Kenny Lo, IT secretary, Raymond Chung and Dr. Cheung (Wai Ming) spoke for their views and new plans of organizing activities for OSA and how to contact old students. Registration of OSA students was the first thing to be done.

After all, thanks to our present principal, Mr. Yuen and our Vice-principal, Mr. Au and Mr. Mark who supervised the handover meeting.

It is a happy thing to see these ten enthusiastic old students in the new cabinet 誠閣 come together to reconstruct the network of our CCSC students. Hope that more students contribute their efforts to bring our outstanding students together in ONE family.

Earlier our advisory teachers of OSA and some of the old students in the new cabinet had tea lunch together. Raymond Chung was so kind to be the host. Thank you, Raymond.

Vitasoy speaks

I loved drinking “hot” malt Vitasoy when I was young in winter. At that time, each bottle of malt Vitasoy cost 30 cents and that of ordinary white Vitasoy 20 cents.

Nowadays, we seldom see bottles of Vitasoy. Instead Vitasoy comes in paper packs. The straw attached has changed from “straight” to “flexible”.

The most interesting thing is that now Vitasoy "speaks" with comics.

Here are three examples:

[1] Vitasoy stands by your Happy Moments
游乾水, SMS, 開扒地喇喂, 煲劇

[2] Vitasoy stands by your Studying Moments
空堂吹水, 臨急抱佛腳, 自修, 小息

[3] Vitasoy stands by your Working Moments
加班, 擦鞋, 三點三蛇王, 開會, 講是非

The idea of showing funny pictures on boxes of drinks is good, but some of the activities mentioned are inappropriate.

An Apple Study

A newspaper advertisement today wakes me up in the midst of taking breakfast at “CDC”. Wow! W-supermarket sells European apples at HK$9.9 for 5.

I cannot help buying all the three kinds of apples, two in red and one in green.

The brands of apples are namely:
[1] “Red Chief” 4015 – The apples are in a deeper red. They look beautiful because there are small white dots on a colour-changing red body. These dots look very much like stars in a red Universe. To my knowledge, they together resemble constellations.
.
[2] “Harmonie” Royal Gala 4173 – These apples are relatively smaller than the Red Chief, but in a brighter red. The yellowish “stars” distribute all over each apple surface. Near the head, light green to bright yellow patterns like lava flowing out from the crater of a volcano while a bit lower down, the yellow dots, big or small, resemble those molten rock flying in the air. What a lovely picture I can see from such a little apple.

[3] “Granny Smiths” 4017 – These light green apples looks like pieces of jade with white dots in various sizes spreading radiantly outwards.

I have never seen such cheap and lovely apples before. They can beat those apples I saw at Apple Festival in Canada last year. How enjoyable it is to look at these beautiful apples so closely!

By the way, which country do you think produces these apples?

張祝珊英文中學舊生會2010-11執行委員會選舉

The following is the news about the election of the cabinet “誠閣” of CCSC OSA 2010-2011:

Dear Friends/Alumni,

I would like to inform you that an election of the Executive Committee of “The Cheung Chuk Shan College Old Students’ Association” (“OSA”) for the session 2010-11 will be held this Saturday 20 November 2010. Though there is only one cabinet『誠閣』 running for the Executive Committee election, please extend your support to the OSA
and vote for『誠閣』.

You may find more about『誠閣』from the promotion materials posted in the OSA’s website http://osa.ccsc.edu.hk/index.htm.

You can download the a “Proxy Form” from the OSA’s website (http://osa.ccsc.edu.hk/index.htm) which is self explanatory for your attention and completion. I should be gratefully if you would appoint me (“Chung Yik Cheung, Raymond”) or another alumnus who will attend the forthcoming Annual General Meeting (“AGM”) as your proxy for voting on your behalf to elect『誠閣』 at the AGM. Please also note that the duly completed “Proxy Form” must be signed and returned by email to the OSA (osa@ccsc.edu.hk) no later than 11:59 p.m. on November 19, 2010.

Thank you for your support and participation, and I look forward to meet you soon.

Yours sincerely,

Chung Yik Cheung, Raymond
鍾奕昌, 1978 (F.7)
Alumni Manager (2010 -2012)


張祝珊英文中學舊生會
(The Cheung Chuk Shan College Old Students’ Association)

2010-2011執行委員會選舉

請支持及投 誠閣 信心一票


(自左方: 鍾奕昌, 劉錦泉, 蔡斯洋, 楊日昇, 高方毅, 羅卓基, 張慧明, 李懿律, 陳建裕, 江翠欣)


我們是來自不同屆別的張學友 (註)，基於對母校、老師及校友的感情和關心，懷着誠意改革及辦好舊生會，回饋母校和服務校友。

母校已創立超過四十年，其努力辦學、作育英才之成績得到廣泛社會人仕的認同和讚賞。 我們對母校的栽培、老師的諄諄教導，至今仍銘記心中。 作為其中受惠的一分子，為感謝母校，因此我們很想透過舊生會為母校及各校友服務。

創校初期的老師已紛紛離校，過著她們的退休生活。 但很多老師像天使般仍默默眷顧我們，關心母校的發展。 不少老師更積極參加張祝珊校友基金的工作，私下亦一直與校友保持聯絡，對校友的成長給予寶貴的意見，盡顯餘暉。

我們非常榮幸，於組織『誠閣』期間獲得不少老師支持、鼔勵，並加入舊生會，成為我們的顧問委員會之委員。 我們希望日後定期舉辦不同型式的聚會，如新年團拜、周年聚餐等，建立平台，讓各校友及老師們有機會交流共聚，也希望能安排校舍參觀和攝影活動，讓校友能透過鏡頭，捕捉母校的每一個令人懷念的角落，重溫中學時間之美好回憶。

另一方面，我們也會為學弟學妹舉行升學就業及分享經驗的講座。 歡迎更多校友加入這個團隊，為母校培育新一代校友的大計獻出一分力。

希望您給予我們『誠閣』支持、並投我們信心一票。 我們誠意邀請您的加入，回饋母校悉心的栽培，共同參與舊生會之運作和活動，為母校服務，建立以張祝珊師生一心、赤誠愛校之特色精神，並將這精神延續及傳送到世界的每一個角落。

(註) 『 張學友』是指在張祝珊英文中學求學的校友


以下校友是競選2010-2011執行委員會候選人：

候選人
Chairman Koo Fong Ngai, Benny (高方毅) 1990 (F.5)
Vice Chairman Lo Cheuk Kei, Kenny (羅卓基) 1990 (F.5)
Vice Chairman Tsoi Sze Yeung, Simon (蔡斯洋) 2002 (F.5)
General Secretary Kong Tsui Yan, Jenny (江翠欣) 2002 (F.5)
Financial Secretary Yeung Yat Sing, Michael (楊日昇) 1984 (F.5)
Publication Secretary Chan Kin Yu, Erik (陳建裕) 2008 (F.5)
Information Technology Secretary Chung Yik Cheung, Raymond (鍾奕昌) 1978 (F.7)
Executive Committee Member Lau Kam Chuen (劉錦泉) 1976 (F.5)
Executive Committee Member Cheung Wai Ming (張慧明) 1980 (F.5)
Executive Committee Member Li Yi Lut, Lawrence (李懿律) 2008 (F.5)


顧問委員會 :
張祝珊英文中學榮休老師