Author: experiencetoday

uncertainty
English articles

Uncertainty

experiencetoday

In my journey to Portugal and Spain, I did not miss out on an exciting adventure. I felt I was blessed somehow. 

A few days after returning home, Istanbul experienced a 6.0 magnitude earthquake which did not cause a lot of damage but could give one a shock. I took a connecting flight in Istanbul to Lisbon and back to Hong Kong.

I then found out that the airport in Istanbul was designed to be earthquake-proof against 8.0 magnitude. Maybe that’s the reason shops at the airport charge massive amounts for a piece of bread or burgers.  

Last evening, everyone shared with me the news about the massive power outage in Portugal and Spain. That’s scary! I once thought about leaving Hong Kong before the Easter holiday and coming back in early May. 

We had a power cut at the Porto’s apartment we were staying; however, it was an easy fix. If I had still stayed there with my friends at the end of April, where would I be? Porto? Galicia? That could leave us in a panic and a catastrophic kind of adventure. 

People’s minds feel unrest in this century full of uncertainty.  I feared nothing when I travelled at a young age. I saw peace. I smelt simplicity. I adored friendship. Now I sense hidden risks at the corner of the streets or a sense of insecure feeling when a few young people stare at us on an unfamiliar land. 

That might be the reason I want to travel with someone at my age now.  More people seek a spiritual home where they can trust and feel safe.

dying
Chinese articles

離別

experiencetoday

當我二十歲多時，一位跟我們一起打高爾夫球的年輕人突然離世，雖然他不算是我的朋友，但感到十分錯愕和可惜。他的女友在遠方，想起他的媽媽白頭人送黑頭人，心酸的感覺從心還湧出來。

星期初的一個駭人消息令我措手不及。是的，朋友是病了，我也知道她身體的癌細胞擴散了。然而，一個多月前，我們跟她相聚，她還滿腹大計，想找新屋搬。上月底，她告訴我們壞消息，我心知她最終會離我們而去，但另一友人的爸爸也與肝癌細胞獨鬥，還堅持了數年才離開家人。她怎麼會這麼快不辭而別!

2025年年初，我們見到她時，她的心態好像很正面，化療是有副作用，但入睡沒問題，亦沒有嘔吐的問題，故此我也沒有太多的擔心，現在回想起來，不知道是否她處之泰然，還是呈強而已，又或是沒有吐出真言，讓大家安心。

她離世的消息是在早上9時多由手機傳來，我猜想這是什麼一回事，我毫無準備，但最後沒有勇氣問她的姐姐詳細的病況。畢竟，她剛由美國回港，身心都累了，要辦的事多著呢。

儘使我渴求了解更多，當明白到她姐姐的處境時，我也按捺這份求知的心，遲一點再聯絡她吧！

星期二，多謝朋友聽我的傾訴，眼淚是我紓發內心傷心的渠道，就正如寫日記一樣。在晚闌人靜的晚上，談起這事，眼淚告訴我真實的感情，傷感打從內心滲透出來。

事到如今，希望她藉著解脫以遠離痛苦，在一片平靜的土地上享受平安。

謝謝聽我訴說內心的感受，原來陪伴是一種安慰和力量。

rosalie
Chinese articles

女兒長鬍子

experiencetoday

在1870年代的法國，Rosalie是一位與眾不同的年輕女性，但她隱藏著一個秘密。

出嫁時，她戰戰兢兢，不時補妝。原來她出生時全身覆蓋著毛髮，是一位真正的鬍鬚女兒，她不想成為馬戲團的怪胎表演者，父親也認為女兒嫁人成功便完成任務了。

未知她曾經嫁人失敗而敗走而回，這次父親把女兒帶到一個小村莊的工人家中，成全這場婚事。父親到村後，恐怕露出馬腳，便來去沖沖地走了。

Rosalie，一直以來都隱藏著自己的特異之處，為了融入社會而剃掉臉上的毛髮，所以，欠債的酒吧老闆Abe是l在不知情的情況下娶了她，期望能獲得她的嫁妝，及娶得賢妻成家立室。

然而，入門第一個晚上，Abel便發現這個新娘嚇人的秘密。他想是倒運吧!然而，她有家返不得，Abel也感到無奈，酒吧亦了無生意。

Rosalie權宜之計，不如待自己留著鬍鬚，吸引村民的好奇心吧，心想生意必定大增。奈何，那有丈夫想靠賴妻子賺錢，讓妻子被人評頭品足呢?自己也可能變成笑柄。

無奈的是，Rosalie是一個果斷的女子，她奮力地希望被人看見真正的自己，而不再需要隱藏自己與別不同的一面。

一個月後，Rosalie以另一個姿勢出現，真的為酒吧招徠不少生意，但她拒絶之前的承諾，不再剃掉鬍鬚了。奇怪的是，她似乎得到村民的受落，丈夫慢慢接納了她，兩人進一步探索內心世界，但好景不常，最後換來悲哀的收場。Rosalie的角色是參考20世紀的Clémentine Delait，Clémentine的收場沒有這樣慘烈，也活到過70多歲。不過我認為Rosalie一角的性格突出，獨立之餘，也果斷過人，散發出中國古代小說中的一股傲氣。

KAJ
English articles

What a song is like about sauna?

experiencetoday

When the song “Revolution” was released on the internet, I was 100% percent sure that Mans Zelmerlow would grab the trophy at the Melodifestivalen. The song follows the classic Sweden pop song formula, which should be a Eurovision fans’ favourite. Look at its stage production. It is meticulously designed and will leave fans an impactful memory of the performance. 

I am not particularly pleased to see Mans Zelmerlow at Eurovision again, though he’s an icon. The song is not a total breakthrough. It creates fireworks but not excitement.

After finding out the news that NAPA won the Festival da Canção 2025, the news of KAJ winning also popped up on the internet.  

I hadn’t followed Melodifestivalen, therefore had no clue about KAJ. 

To my big surprise, Bara bada bastu (Let’s just go to sauna) is nothing like a Swedish pop song, but a truly fun song about sauna. The staging is excellent. Why did KAJ write a song about sauna which originated in Finland?

The band is actually based in Finland, though the group performs mostly in Swedish. How amazing it is that Sweden finally sends a song in their own language rather than English!

After all, Eurovision is the best occasion for fans to appreciate European languages other than English.

In the meantime, I just wonder if fans now prefer more honest and genuine performances like KAJ or NAPA while the highly commercial songs are pursued, but to a lesser extent.  

festival da cancao
English articles

Festival da Canção 2025

experiencetoday

There is almost no way to avoid getting to know the result before watching the recap of the football match or a singing contest with the prevalence of social media and news online.

My hopes are high for the contestants at this year’s Festival da Canção , and I had thought that either Josh, Diana Vilarinho or Fernando Daniel would be the champion. But to my big surprise, Napa won. The curiosity drives me to dig deeper to learn about the truth – how special is this song?  What is Napa? 

While Josh’s Tristeza looped playing in my head for two weeks. The song “Medo”  appeared to fight with Tristeza in my head from time to time.

I have to admit that Tristeza’s performance was weak from the perspective of lyrics and staging. The staging was shocking that Josh was hanging in the air performance with one hand grabbing a long pole. It’s not a pole dance where you can move again. Being confined to a pole, Josh’s posture is rather limited and so do the camera angles. I truly hoped he could win, and the staging would be elevated, but the song started to hurt me a bit, like the “title” – sadness. It is a bit too emotional and too dark for Eurovision and everyday listening.  I didn’t add it to my playlist for this reason. 

Fernando’s song talks about fears (medo) and his staging is the most well-planned one, and he did as much as he could to win the vote, like touring around before the singing contest. The song is, indeed, mediocre. I consider his performance was not genuine enough. However, I’d prefer this to Cotovia by Diana Vilarinho as the Eurovision audience will embrace Medo more than Cotovia. 

Anyway, the singing contest mimics the voting situation as in Eurovision. Judging from regions means Algarve judges giving 12 points to a band from Algarve, and Madeira judges fully supporting Napa who comes from this island. 

Well, the song Deslocado by Napa is on my playlist as it’s simple and easy to listen to. I realised the lyrics are about the hard feelings of leaving Madeira for another place. Many Portugueseans leave the country for work, and I guess many audiences resonate with this familiar feeling. 

I must say I’m not disappointed with the result but very surprised that Deslocado won the hearts of many others. 

When I watched the replay of the festival, I could see the taste of the Portuguese judges was very distinct. They favoured traditional songs that the audience in the modern days won’t be favouring.  

Somehow, Portuguese audiences were conservative. Henka got the highest vote but some of the traditional contestants still gained a number of supporters. Napa gained 8 points. Who would have thought the band gathered far more support than Fernando Daniel and Josh.

I must say, it’s so hard to predict the result of the Festival da Canção that it makes the contest interesting to watch. 

Away with the penguins
Chinese articles

Away with the penguins

experiencetoday

企鵝是我心愛的動物，每次我到動物園和水族館，都必然要尋找他們的踪跡。他們一身白與黑矮小的打扮實在太可愛，而小企鵝毛茸茸的樣子，可愛得我想尖叫，恨不得立即梳理他們的毛毛，和緊抱他們入懷。

多年前，法國有一部企鵝紀錄片March of the Penguins上映，我乖乖地靜靜在電影院觀看，對企鵝郡的能耐和團結性，簡直肅然起敬。他們的生命力可能比人類強?

踏入春天的悶日，我到圖書館找本閒書看，就被書名Away with the penguins吸引，儘使第一、二個章節的故事起始比較平實和沉悶，80多歲的老太婆、加一個不太聰明的家務助理，實在無法勾起我的閱讀引子。尋回孫兒後，發現他是一個癈青，又真的有什麼令人歡喜之處。

幸好，經過兩星期完成三分一本書後，她終於踏上了去南極的旅程。

故事當然是虛構，然而老太婆對企鵝的迷戀，真的令人會心微笑，加上研究基地的三個科學家又好像比一般科學家更加人性化，之後故事的發展又遇上不幸中的高潮。人與企鵝的非凡交流，就如人將要死去，在充滿光的隧道中選擇去路。

最後，各個故事的主人翁似乎也得到愛和温暖。

雖然這本書沒有給我太大驚喜，但也有其感動之處。

不過，這本書的續集，我應該會放棄閱讀了。

Chinese articles

新BJ單身日記

experiencetoday

兩年沒有入戲院看戲，全因戲院上映的電影沒有很大的吸引力，加上在家看戲已成習慣。一直等到「BJ單身日記；我為仔狂」上映，心情十分興奮。

BJ一角的創作已二十年，但角色的造型和性格卻十分令人難忘，主角BJ樣子只可說是可愛，身材略胖，大部分時間樂天知命，做事有時認真得來、又給人笨手笨腳的感覺，但她絕對逗人喜愛，容易投入去做事和跟陌生人混熟。

她凡事無懼怕，只會努力去衝和敢於嘗試。自尊心有時怕比下去，但她又懂得自我安慰，有打不死的精神。這種性格和造型實在能夠拉近與觀眾的距離，爭取大家的共鳴。

戲院在星期天下午的入座率只有十分之一，入場的大多是中年以上。我坐下來不僅五分鐘，就發覺新一套「BJ單身日記」的最大焦點是BJ的樣子。是的，BJ老了，她臉上充滿著整容的痕迹，Daniel Cleaver也老了許多，胖了和臉上多了皺紋，我卻不介意，不知這是因為他是男演員，還是他自然老的關係。

當然，男主角Roxster喜歡一個可以當他媽媽的BJ，是難以置信的事，但他只是BJ重新振作的一個男朋友，以BJ的戲種而言，沒關係吧！反正只是喜劇一套，賣相吸引便可。

而老師Wallaker愛上BJ，是因為她的愛心和真性情？

她坦率的性格確是遠比一些在老師面前裝作嚴肅的父母，感覺容易相處得多，但彼此發展為情侣就難以說得過去。伴侶與男朋友是有差別的。

我喜歡的是BJ回想起Darcy照顧孩子的片段，如今，她用同一番話語給孩子鼓勵，與他們相處；一家人又用文字繫著汽球為逝去的爸爸傳達說語。

Wallaker老師對Billy說，他不會忘記爸爸，並以爸爸喜歡的歌曲，唱給媽媽聽，小朋友的舉動是教人驚訝的。

上一集BJ單身日記，大家以為是一個終結，我希望「我為仔狂」是最後一套，因為Darcy 是單身日記的重點之一，當BJ失去其吸引力後，而Darcy消失，Daniel Cleaver又變成一個配角時，其實也毋須為賣書賣片作藉口來繼續拖延。

English articles

Think outside of marriage

experiencetoday

Sex scandals are often the twin sisters of powerful people, including CEOs, lawmakers, and presidents. The movie Babygirl shows this through Nicole Kitman, a CEO who finds herself irresistibly drawn to Samuel, an intern who sees her true self. The film looks at their complicated relationship, showing the vulnerabilities and temptations that accompany positions of power. 

To be honest, I fail to see Nicole Kitman as a CEO in the movie. It’s hard to believe that she would personally involve herself in the company’s internship programme. How can a CEO be so naive as to form an emotional connection with an intern? This situation reminds me of Bill Clinton, who famously engaged in an extramarital relationship with an intern, which dominated the headlines. While the intern may not have been conventionally attractive, she was perhaps more accessible to his needs.

I’ve observed married men attempting to flirt with women in the workplace, and another man seeking out “fun” cautiously. The label of “married” can create a mental barrier, yet it doesn’t always prevent individuals from betrayal.

The movie Nova and Alice also explores the theme of affairs developing during a tour. Chemistry ignites between two people, even if one is in a stable relationship. Such relationships can sometimes feel mundane, lacking excitement and spontaneity. It’s difficult to determine if stepping outside a stable relationship is inherently wrong.

Ultimately, a true partner is someone who supports you when you’re unwell, and that support is the most important aspect of any relationship.

Chinese articles

聽說

experiencetoday

韓版《聽說》Hear me: our summer 吸引之處在於幾位主角青春可人，畫面不時是他們用手語對話，打手語都算自然，是一部靜態而温情的電影。

雖然電影中展現了一些平常人對聾人的誤解，但在選角、劇情和對話上，都算打破了一些人的偏見，就算男主角的友人與家人，得知二人在談情，驚訝是有的，但都正面地尋求溝通的方法，希望外界對聾人加深認識和態度變得正面。

兩年前，我差點到一個聽障的機構任職。

面試時，我面對的是三位聾人，有懂得唇語和說話，也有隔空需要手語翻譯的，是一個全新體驗。我曾經看過一些聾人的紀錄片，明白其父母對兒女的教學安排，有家長想他們學唇語和講話，也有家長認為學手語可專注學習其他專業，可以是內心的爭扎。朋友的媽媽年老失去了聽覺，使用助聽器，談話時是有點大聲。我跟她在街上走，她會說我要放下助聽器，因為街道有許多車輛，很嘈吵，我慢慢學習如何跟她相處。或許這些經驗，加上我在公關工作和面對傳媒的履歷，最後得到他們的信任。

聾人雖然也有他們的圈子，不過，我也希望聾人與我們能夠打破隔膜，彼此信任和容納我們的無知，畢竟我只知道皮毛的東西。

English articles

Love, Holly

experiencetoday

It’s been a while since I picked up a romance novel, and I’m really glad to feel my energy returning. After reading pages and pages in a month’s time, I must admit it feels like a victory!

This romance might have a classic vibe, with characters whose lives are intertwined by a single incident or fleeting encounter.

I absolutely love the concept of a lonely pen pal club where you write letters to strangers in different towns. I once received a handwritten letter from a stranger trying to persuade me to believe in God. It felt so personal —nothing like a mass-produced brochure. I even kept it for a while since it was such a rare experience.

A letter written in person still has the power to warm a lonely heart. 

In this pen pal club, most letters go unanswered, allowing people to express their true feelings anonymously. But the letter Holly receives is different; it’s filled with grief she completely understands, and the writer mentions a place she knows well.

This connection drives Holly to track down the writer. Both women have faced life-altering car accidents, leaving them with deep wounds. Determined to uplift this elderly woman, Holly pours her heart into helping this woman. And they become friends. 

The central theme of the story revolves around accountability in those car accidents. Was the driver at fault? Life can change in an instant, leaving us vulnerable to pain and misunderstandings. Healing relationships often requires reopening those wounds and embracing others’ feelings.

As Holly navigates this journey, she not only finds love but also reconnects with her own family.

Chinese articles

Mr Church

experiencetoday

年老或生病時得到照顧，是很窩心的事。中年黑人Mr Church 廚藝出眾，出現在一個單親家庭的家中，為一位患癌的美麗婦人和她的女兒煮食，本來6個月的工作，變成了6年及更久。

他有一雙巧手，加上熟練的刀法和創意，把早餐、午餐和晚餐弄得色香味俱全，連女兒的同事也要跟著回家，試他煮的美食。晚上，他似乎獨自生活，也是一位精湛的樂手，不時到酒吧留連，喝醉回家。

他的事一直保持神秘，沒有跟這兩母子談。女兒問他6個月過去了，母親雖患病但仍活著，他會離開嗎? 跟母親拍拖的舊情人只給Mr Church 6個月的薪俸!

他仍留在這個家，除了飲食，默默地照顧她媽媽，這小女孩也長大了，快要高中畢業。他為她縫紉活潑的晚裝，學校的英俊的男生到家接她，一同到畢業舞會。雖然她的家沒有錢，到私立學校上學只是因為被選中的慈善個案之一，母親病倒，但她仍有愛。

她得到知名大學收錄通知書，但沒錢交學費呢。就在這時候母親終於離開她，Mr Church給她錢繼續升學，說是她媽媽給他優惠劵剩下的錢。

大學的生活卻又令人迷失，一天，她懷孕了，說要在Mr Church家裡待著，沒有完成論文畢業。接著是照顧女兒，外出工作養活女兒。與Mr Church的相處仍繼續，應說是互相照顧。

電影沒有誇張的場面，只有對煮食和人物的描寫，以說出家的重要。Mr Church到此家工作6個月，以自己的金錢和雙手繼續照顧兩人，不過他覺得生活富足，因為自己就有如多了一個家一樣，感到温暖和滿足。

鎮內的一個青年曾想過自殺，然而一次經歷打破他的想法，最後他還遇上另一半，踏上人生新旅程。

活著的路，可以是平坦的，也會有逆轉的可能。跟自己說失落時，不要放棄，明天與今天不一樣。

lucca's world
English articles

Lucca’s World

experiencetoday

Neurological damage, whether stemming from hereditary factors, accidents, bacterial infections, or stress, can profoundly affect the quality of life. A few years ago, I assisted with the Hospital’s charity work, I encountered several children with cerebral palsy. Sadly, many of these children in China were abandoned. Their disabilities hindered their ability to walk and speak.

A middle-aged man living in a village decided to adopt a young girl with cerebral palsy. His story particularly moved me. Despite being unmarried, he has dedicated over a decade to caring for her. However, as she entered her teenage years, the man also grew older. The challenges of daily care—such as bathing and using the toilet—have become increasingly difficult. 

I witnessed the girl undergo various surgical and physiotherapy treatments over the years. Unfortunately, I did not perceive these as significant improvements. She has a strong mind and remained optimistic each time I saw her. Initially, I believed these treatments alleviate some complications of cerebral palsy. However, these treatments cannot repair the underlying brain damage. 

My point of view shifted slightly after watching the Netflix movie “Lucca’s World.” It introduced me to a machine called Cytotron. This machine claims to treat cancer and neurological disorders without the side effects commonly associated with drugs. Developed by a scientist in India, this technology seems almost unbelievable. The machine encourages tissue regeneration. This explains why Lucca’s neural connections multiplied after a series of Cytotron therapies. These connections are crucial for limb movement, cognitive growth, and language development.

Yet, I found myself questioning: Is it too good to be true? Can treatment be so precise that it targets only the damaged areas? What about the healthy tissues exposed to the Cytotron rays?

If the therapeutic benefits of this machine are as remarkable as suggested, it is indeed a divine gift. Many contemporary diseases, including strokes, brain tumors, Parkinson’s disease, dementia, depression, and anxiety, are linked to neurological health.

I was deeply moved by the sacrifices made by Lucca’s parents. This journey marks a pivotal moment in their lives, allowing them to pursue their beliefs and hopes. The love within their family is palpable. I sincerely hope it inspires hope in others facing cancer and neurological challenges.

Chinese articles

聽一下老人言尋去路

experiencetoday

聽到一位年長醫生的訪問，我深有感觸。原來他畢業之初並不是立志成為一位偉大的醫生，而是經過多年的思考和嘗試，甚至曾經猶豫是否要選擇醫學這條路。年輕時，他前往國外深造工商管理，也十分努力學習和完成作業，這些努力原來留下了伏線，最後明白到自己的路向和用心支持病者的意願。最後，他重要軌道，選擇紓緩治療，並逐步晉升至管理層，給予病人和其家人更多支持。

初出茅廬的學生往往未必能清晰選擇職業的方向，但我認為，投入工作並發展才能才是成功的關鍵。當我看到一些年輕人對未來感到迷茫，雖然多次嘗試卻始終對工作不滿，包括晋升機會，我不禁思考：他們的工作態度如何？是否願意多做一步？是否主動解決問題？

或許你會認為年輕人的看法與以前不同，但在如今初創企業盛行的環境中，參與者是否更應該主動出擊？他們的步伐是否能跟上市場的變化？這是他們自己的選擇。

有些人擁有小聰明，但缺乏動力、方向去完成事情，卻又抱怨別人或大環境沒有給予機會，這樣的心態值得反思。

我認識一位年輕女孩，她利用在家工作的時間，偶爾學習新事物並接一些兼職工作。雖然她的全職工作失去了，但她並沒有氣餒，而是專心做兼職並照顧小朋友，生活還很愉快!

大環境的變化我們無法控制，幸福也不是理所當然的。心態、對現實環境的應對能力，以及人際網絡的建立，才是更為重要的因素。

Chinese articles

交友模式

experiencetoday

年青的我，暑期工作，忙是忙，但是卻忘我地於網上跟人對話。這是未有互聯網的時候，透過BBS沒有圖像簡單對話的時代，絶大部分時候不是即時留言的，但談話時還有期代的心，因為時代簡單，沒有網上騙案，只有少數對IT好奇或對BBS有認識的人才會用，故此玩得開心和安心。

現代人用App或於網上認識朋友，甚至變成拍拖關係，大家已經不再驚訝，是自然不過的事!

80年代，雖然這樣認識新朋友較安全，但就不為人接受。不過，現代人用App交友的難度提升，首先，個人介紹IG化，單是相片就變得形象化。要展現肌肉、身材、突顯尖臉，介紹也更詳盡。時代轉變了。

我觀察身旁的年青人試現兩三個月，結果還是沒有約見任何人呢？

十年前，我隨便在skype找人傾訴，花了一兩個月也可以找到人可以交流得更多。2025年是否有進化？人變得忙了，太多吸引的事物，我在學習語言App，都難以找到談得較多事物的對手。 

老朋友，有時算多有趣，我問90歲的他，你知不知今日的日子，什麼時候是新年，他說不知道，也好，他說認識我。發展至今，網騙那麼多，我們是否在一些面對面的場合更容易認識新朋友？

Chinese articles

土地爭議

experiencetoday

有一天，日本朋友問國與國之間對於島的爭執，為何這麼難解決。我笑說關乎歷史問題吧！我欣賞她積極樂觀的態度去談論這件事。直至今天，國與國之間對土地的爭議還未平息，這都關乎利益之餘，也與面子有關。

就以格陵蘭為例，這個位於北極圈內、東臨大西洋、有著極地氣候和寒冷漫長的冬天，與其名字Greenland拉不上關係。從歷史角度而言，這片土地的原住民屬於愛基斯摩人，在久遠的年代便是北歐的殖民地，包括挪威、瑞典和丹麥，亦曾被德國佔領。現時，格陵蘭雖然不屬於歐盟的一部分，但外交及財政事務則由丹麥管轄。

格陵蘭有豐富的化燃料藏量，亦有稀土礦床。特朗普揚言要取得格陵蘭，恐怕是因為格陵蘭位於美洲東北，若失手於其他大國，有可能威脅美國。

不少人都對特朗普十分反感，他自大狂言、不守法律，又莫視現今普世價值，一味維護美國利益，或許他得到選民支持，是基於對手太弱，及大眾希望有一個強者幫助美國爭取權益。是的，世衞是否好打得?真的又令人懷疑。這些國際性機構又好像未能竭止許多已存在或潛在的疾病。

特朗普是典型大大聲、強詞奪理的政治人物，有理論說，他站出來說不排除透過軍事力量取得格陵蘭，無非迫丹麥加強該島的軍備，他骨子裡是一個生意人。

2019年丹麥回應特朗普的狂言，堅決說不會出售格陵蘭。今次丹麥似乎沒有強烈的回應。格陵蘭對丹麥的經濟沒有多大效益，反而在經濟上支持這偌大綠地。不過，許多國家未必如美國一樣，只從利益看世界，畢竟，Greenland與丹麥是一家人，就如英國不放棄直布羅陀Gibraltar，而當地人享有低價房屋的福利一樣。

若果我重遇我的日本朋友，未知她有否有更多領會，她又如何游說特朗普呢?

Chinese articles

2025年夢境要更有創意

experiencetoday

夢境充滿著奇妙的旅程！

2025年新一年的第一夢是看到自己幫助一個病人入院，然後要把留言傳到一住醫生， 經過一番波折後，幸好經另一個醫生傳達口訊。

然而，醫院瞬間變成了一間旅舍，有著許多房間。大家都知道我不是租客，但我居然站在開揚的洗手間洗衣服，看到其他租客時，也沒有心虛，很安然活在這個新空間。

夢中，我到過從前工作的地方，睡在一張床上，不過，最後還是離開這個不自在的地方，並帶著我新買的睡枕坐地鐵回到旅舍。

地鐡充滿古舊色彩，但卻令人安心，可能我近來多看了英國人尋找古舊建築的住宅的電視節目，原來維多利亞式的建築確是給人温暖的感覺。

靜靜的，我游走於從前感覺舒服的空間和新旅舍。由離開舊地，到進入一個有其他陌生人的空間，感到新奇和很好奇，但亦想大擔嘗試與陌生人一起相處。

還記得我時常夢見自己有多個一間公寓，但通常只住在一間屋，黃埔的一個單位多是淍零，回想這可能是我曾經小住的一個單位，已搬出多年了。

夢充滿著創造力，有時因為夢而不想起床！

新一年到來，願身心健康之餘，我也希望夢境會變得更快樂和更有創意。

Chinese articles

國內化

experiencetoday

假期，去了沙田石門，是沙田和馬鞍山交界，感覺去了小深圳，大商場是大的，但格局強烈滲透著國內的感覺。

一出地鐵便是十數以計的大媽兜售回鄉證證件相服務，怪不得這裡有強烈的國的感覺。本以為可以在這兩座商場走半個鐘，但最吸引只是咖啡小店，其他就如夾公仔、買低價淘寶貨，藥材舖和生果舖有如地攤舖，陳設毫無特色，真的沒有什麼賣點。

足浴店也多的是，大概6至7間吧！我於網站買了頭肩頸和足浴，是貴一點，店舖不是太差，但又沒有相片般中上的精緻設計，單是在商場內，中門大開，按摩是傳外商場聖誕歌再加上人聲，跟本就與放鬆拉不上關係。

按摩的姨姨穿上了制服，就如台灣按摩般會用鐘計時，不過姨姨就跟客人是零溝通，不過還好，她們沒有一路按，一路講電話，只是主理人就沒有傳統經營按摩的考量，沒有親切的感覺，她應該不懂按摩，是美甲師？整個感覺是做生意，完全沒有Well-being的賣點，忽然我發現去按摩放鬆，環境和按摩師是那麼重要。

不過，原來現在的蘭桂坊也有中式火鍋店進駐，已經減少了西人味道。

英國脫歐是英人想確認身份；直布羅陀堅持是英國的領土，拒西班牙於門外，我絕對認同這種情感。

老年人無奈外界改變到難以接受？要看改變如何吧！給店舖變得吸引，不單是以價低來做買點，老人又會捥拒嗎？

English articles, Uncategorized

Finding Meaning in Trivial Work: Lessons Learned

experiencetoday

Approaching Christmas, the office is quieter; I delight in having chit-chats with individual colleagues about trivial matters. I had thought that less work at the office made one feel good. At least that’s what I thought. I opted for a position with less pay rather than a senior executive. After all, work-life balance and well-being are so important that I have recently embraced them. 

This mentality has changed in 2024. The economy is deteriorating fast, and everything can change without warnings. 

A sixty-year-old man is not content even though his work contract has been renewed. His boss assigned many tasks to a younger colleague, and now he has more free time at work. Why does he not feel happy? With the renewed contract, his work should be stable enough for years. But human beings are strange animals. Our confidence grows when completing important and meaningful tasks that make us happy. Somehow, ego dictates how we feel. 

I recalled there were times I felt stupid doing the trivial filing work. I asked myself, “What am I doing here?” I had years of high-level training, and then I did the simplest work ever.” I can relate to his feeling. I decided to celebrate moments when I finished tough work and events.

Yesterday, I struggled with hitting the ball through the first gate. That’s essential to partner with your teammates when playing gate ball. Eventually my last strike got me through the first gate. It also got me through the second gate. I defeated the rival team and helped my team win a few more scores. 

I am still learning the mentality of sportsmanship. Savour the moment of championship and tell myself not to give up. Never too late. I may have to wait till good things happen to me.

Do not belittle yourself. Buddhists in the temple sweep the floors and dust every corner every day. These routines look easy, but not on cold or hot days. Prolonged hours of trivial work can be a training for having a stronger mind.

Chinese articles

找尋合拍環境、轉換心態

experiencetoday

小時候，夢見自己考試，沒有想到可能是壓力。如今，夢到一些舊同事工作態度散慢，想法卻有不同， 原來自己對這些不合作的員工有點不耐煩，覺得機構架構上人手太精簡，未免沒有顧及中層的需要，而令員工出現無力感。

就如打門球一樣，5個人一組對戰，講求合作和協調性。一人欠準，可能會累及對方；一人打得出色，如缺乏隊友支援，也沒有發揮所長的機會。於是，成功人士都擇木而棲，或另起爐灶，才有大展拳腳的機會，可惜這個道理，我明白得太遲。

心理學有依附的理念，如小朋友得到父母的愛，會信心大增而敢於面對挑戰。其實，老師是否公平對待同學、是否適當地鼓勵和讚賞學生，也影響到小夥子的成長。這個月，香港舉行世界級壁球比賽，無論是男子或女子賽，埃及球員都名列前茅，更是人才濟濟，前一哥唯有轉換國籍，延長打世界賽的機會，畢竟已經30歲出頭。轉公司、轉工作環境，大抵是這種心態吧!

Chinese articles

壓力與工作模式思考

experiencetoday

別人旅行和工作的模式與你不一樣，朋友在言談間總是強調這點。

有人旅行包一輛車遊來遊去，省時間又不用花頭腦計劃。我就會左想右諗如何省錢去坐巴士，猶如本地人般窮遊，給我多一點滿足感。省下的錢又可以買杯咖啡’吃件蛋糕。

上星期，一個電郵觸動我的神經，誤以為工作被倒在我身上，算了吧！有時，真的想多了。

剛試完一個測試自律神經的小玩意，只要將食指夾在有如測血氧的儀器上一分鐘就有結果，我的精神和身體壓力顯示為一般，銷售員跟我說結果很好，我左看右看其他同事的結果，有些抗壓力比較佳，也有人精神與身體壓力顯示為差。大家笑說，真的要讓老闆看看結果，讓她減壓和休息多一點！朋友打趣說，多拿人工，壓力自然成正比，是合理的。

近日，澳洲立新法例，免除員工下班後回覆與工作有關的whatsapp。這一兩年，朋友不時申訴老闆不滿下屬「早」回家，但早的定義可能已是7點多。或有上司在晚上11點仍whatsapp追Call問公司事。

在這個強調工作平衡的年代，老闆有自知之明嗎？

有留意到不少高層因工作而單身或放棄生育？休假時，靈魂總會在同事的每日電郵或 whatsapp出現？回想以前我把工作的利益放得太前，又沒有說不，害了自己。

10多年前，同事想顯示自己努力工作，或會去旅行也會覆電郵。然而，自有whatsapp和手機出現，老闆的心態是，回覆whatsapp是天公地道的。這份壓力可真不可少。難道回覆whatsapp是評分的準則嗎？