Category: English articles

abouttime
English articles

“About Time” to have Happiness

experiencetoday

Born in Wellington, New Zealand and lived in several countries during his childhood, Richard Curtis finally resided in the UK and is known as one of the most successful directors of romantic comedy movies, many of which leave us fond memories, like Love Actually, Notting Hill, Bridget Jones’s Diary and Yesterday.

His film “About Time” may not be at the top of the list when you go to the movie. The storyline is as simple as another time-travelling story. The plot is also cut to the chase about an ordinary young man looking for love and happiness. When he learned from his father that he could time travel, he attempted to go back in time to reverse his “actions” to impress the girl he just met. He was kind with a good heart and he tried to help his roommate in his theatre debut. Applause to the great success eventually! 

Sadly, the girl he loved was gone because of what he had changed. Life has many paths. They are intertwined. Redirection of a path leading to a series of life changes.  We then saw this young man very focused on chasing this girl no matter how many hurdles he went through. So happy to see they crossed paths again and became a couple.  Despite the temptation from another beauty, he was not shaken with his goal, instead, he proposed to his love and built a family. 

His newborn daughter was so pretty like his wife, so adorable that let you forget the trouble in life. He was so joyous and content with the new life. In this journey, he connected with his father more, especially when unfortunate news came. His father got cancer. 

The father and son had a heart-to-heart talk. “We’re all travelling through time together, every day of our lives. All we can do is do our best to relish this remarkable ride.”

His dad told him his secret formula for happiness – get on with ordinary life, living it day by day, like anyone else; and live every day again almost exactly the same. The first time with all the tensions and worries that stop us from noticing how sweet the world can be, but the second time noticing.

He went one step further by not travelling back at all and trying to live every day as if I’d deliberately come back to this one day, to enjoy it, as if it was the full final day of an extraordinary, ordinary life.

There were a lot of remarkable quotes that relate to enjoying life. The scripts were wittily written with a sense of humour. 

I share some of the quotes below and feel free to check out more. 

“He says worrying about the future is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum. The real troubles in your life will always be things that never crossed your worried mind.”

“I always knew we were a fairly odd family. First, there was me. Too tall, too skinny, too orange. My mum was lovely, but not like other mums. There was something solid about her. Something rectangular, busy and unsentimental. Her fashion icon was the queen. Dad, well, he was more normal. He always seemed to have time on his hands… All in all, it was a pretty good childhood.”

Bill Nighy played the dad role. He is subtle, very British and was excellent in his acts. The son was tall, and skinny with orange hair. Nothing extraordinary. His life was not an excitement. He had friends who were not that smart, too. But he was kind with an open heart. That made the movie more sweet as people could resonate with the storyline more. 

Time travelling can be a good trick, but it proves that living an ordinary life is not a bad thing if you learn to enjoy the moment.

starrystarrynight
English articles

Starry, starry night

experiencetoday

After the once-in-a-lifetime horrendous rainstorm in Hong Kong, the weekend remains cloudy and rainy. Obviously, my motivation for going out is less. I had a vibe for music to boost my mood on a Sunday morning. 

The random song list came up with “Vincent” by Don McLean, who tells a story of Vincent van Gogh suffering from a mental disorder. I sang along with the lyrics, which were beautifully written. Only people who suffer from mental disease can get to know the pain of emptiness as if it is a “darkness in my soul” and “no hope left in sight on that starry night”. Even his self-portrait looks like “weathered faces lined in pain.” As a matter of fact, van Gogh’s paintings are a means to “try to set them free”. 

Van Gogh did not have doubts about his own talent but somehow was not content with it.  The other artist could not bear to live close to him. He felt abandoned.

After having practised mindfulness for a while, I am even more sensitive to my feelings and thoughts. I’ve found myself more creative and having more thoughts when watching a movie or listening to a song. 

I am not short on creativity and am inspired by stories, songs and books. When there are more thoughts in mind, many brilliant ideas are in your head. Artists like Van Gough and Yayoi Kusama created tons of great works despite their psychiatric conditions. 

Recently, Don McLean was accused of emotionally abusing his daughter and wife over the years. So his lyrics say “And now I understand what you tried to say to me…How you suffered for your sanity…

How you tried to set them free,” I don’t know if the writer can relate to his feelings because his mental state was unstable at the time and he hurt his family without realising it. 

Discussion of well-being in the early days was uncommon. People probably considered Van Gogh a lunatic at the time, as he cut his own ear off. His artistic work is, no doubt, very memorable with his “flaming sunflowers” and “daffodils”. 

The lyrics of Starry Starry night precisely depicts the life journey of Van Gogh, very well-written.

People sometimes subconsciously make a working and learning environment an unhealthy place without realising that they treat others unfairly or abuse them emotionally. And we have to stand up for ourselves, fight for fairness and stop abuse from happening.  

Starry, starry night
Paint your palette blue and gray
Look out on a summer’s day
With eyes that know the darkness in my soul

Shadows on the hills
Sketch the trees and the daffodils
Catch the breeze and the winter chills
In colors on the snowy linen land

Now I understand
What you tried to say to me
And how you suffered for your sanity
And how you tried to set them free

They would not listen, they did not know how
Perhaps they’ll listen now

Starry, starry night
Flaming flowers that brightly blaze
Swirling clouds in violet haze
Reflect in Vincent’s eyes of china blue

Colors changing hue
Morning fields of amber grain
Weathered faces lined in pain
Are soothed beneath the artist’s loving hand

Now I understand
What you tried to say to me
And how you suffered for your sanity
And how you tried to set them free

They would not listen, they did not know how
Perhaps they’ll listen now

For they could not love you
But still your love was true
And when no hope was left in sight
On that starry, starry night

You took your life, as lovers often do
But I could’ve told you Vincent
This world was never meant for
One as beautiful as you

Starry, starry night
Portraits hung in empty halls
Frame-less heads on nameless walls
With eyes that watch the world and can’t forget

Like the strangers that you’ve met
The ragged men in ragged clothes
The silver thorn of bloody rose
Lie crushed and broken on the virgin snow

Now I think I know
What you tried to say to me
And how you suffered for your sanity
And how you tried to set them free

They would not listen, they’re not listening still
Perhaps they never will

English articles

Social comparison

experiencetoday

The family of Coco Lee calls for a formal appreciation of singers’ contribution to society. Elton John was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for his services to music and charitable service” in 1998. He then became Sir Elton John. 

Canada’s top singer kd lang received the Order of Canada title in 1996 for her dedication to Canada and her remarkable talent. In 2018, she was awarded Alberta’s highest honour, the Alberta Order of Excellence. The presenter praised her for demonstrating the power of being true to oneself. 

We always compare our lives and capabilities with others. Their family might relate to why a famous singer like Coco Lee is not recognised by the government or any professional body. 

We are influenced by the era of social media in which influencers and friends simply show mostly the good sides of themselves – a perfect body, a luxurious vacation, a handsome boyfriend, a sumptuous meal, and cool friends while some influencers tend to draw attention with negative headlines. 

With optimised algorithms and AI technology, YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook and IG feed us similar stories based on what we have clicked or viewed. The “daily viewing platform that they shape encourages one to read a one-sided story instead of having a look at the whole picture. It is not uncommon to see more people having a polarised view. Confirmation bias is not unusual. 

Will clear viewing history in our browser help? Not many like to do so as our browsing history makes our life easier in some ways.  

Modern society is fast-paced, and many people consider it a merit when they successfully adapt to this upbeat living environment. People, young and old, constantly swipe their phones every single minute. They have packed schedules for work, meetings, and social life. How about a break? Many consider it a waste of time. 

How about sleeping more? Sleep deprivation is normal, not an option as YouTube videos, homework, clubbing, and chores are always a top priority. 

My friend once asked me, “What do you think about doing nothing at home?” I was puzzled by this question at the time. I was simply young and naive about the benefit of enjoying the time of doing nothing.  

English articles

Let it go

experiencetoday

In the finale of season 2 of And Just Like That, Carrie proposed a toast at the “Last Supper” before moving out of her favourite apartment, which she has lived in for over a decade. While she was finally ready to let go of this cosy apartment in a posh area, she invited her guests to think of the things they would like to let go of.

We always hold on to many little things, memories, or ideas, no matter if they are good or bad. Zen masters told us to train ourselves to remain calm through meditation or mindfulness. If our brains can let go of worries, hate, anger, and greed, we can enjoy peace in our minds. It’s easier said than done.

Choosing to land in another relationship, Anthony let go of “control”, and his new partner let go of “Rome”, where he comes from.

Seema let go of “distrust” as she finally takes up a serious relationship with a director who is very business-minded and has to live in the Middle East for half a year.

Miranda and another character both chose “guilt” because of the relationship issue and the crazy thought about giving up the baby.

Nya is giving up “yesterday” as she is so happy to hit on the Michelin chef. Carrie picked expectations,” and as she explained, sometimes things turn out better than expected somehow.

Expectations are a huge word. When I studied marketing, the lecturer emphasized the role of expectations a lot. People are guided by hopes and expectations when making purchase decisions instead of economic factors.

When we meet someone special, we have a set of expectations that may determine whether a relationship can or cannot work. When we interact with our family members, we expect our parents to support us or our siblings to be our good friends.

Letting go of “fear”, “guilt”, and “regret” is something we commonly do successfully for our well-being. My therapist once said, “Don’t set my expectations that high, so I won’t be that disappointed in the end.”

Do I expect myself to be a high achiever every time? The company I had worked with for years let me down so badly that it hurt me so much. I set up a massive database, established a solid communication policy, built rapport with reporters, drove business enquiries from campaigns, and offered insights on increasing website traffic and hitting on keywords. I should have been more assertive and protected myself when the selfish supervisors belittled me for keeping their own benefits. That ruined my well-being. Working for a company like this is totally unhealthy.

I’m happy that I shifted my job role to focus on helping those who are more in need in an organisation that engages to promote a healthy environment.

I let go of my regret about not leaving that company earlier and my fear of not jumping out of my comfort zone much earlier. Now I am a sponge. The world is big. I try to absorb every new thing in life.

I still cannot let go of expectations; I just set my bar lower while adding wisdom from people around me every day.

foodtherapy
English articles

Food Therapy

experiencetoday

A friend of mine took a new job which is very fast-paced. Every time I called her, She thought she could hardly survive one more day in the new company, so she has been nagging about it from time to time. Anyhow, she finds her way to de-stress from this hectic job. 

No matter how late it is when she is back home. She spends an hour preparing her dinner and another hour to enjoy her meal. The dinner she prepared is nothing fancy but a proper meal for the family – three dishes with a bowl of rice. I’m amazed how she has such an energy to do so when she’s home at 8 p.m. I would have starved to death. The thoughts of comfort food give her the mental power and energy to do so, even the dishwashing. “I love my plates and kitchen spotless clean”, she said it with great excitement. 

Talking about food therapy, I decided not to bring a heavy lunch box to the office every day, but buy take-out from time to time. The new workplace is quite a distance from the subway station and restaurant areas, therefore going out for lunch is such a rush, and there are not many good options. 

Canteen meals are typically oily and not very appetising. Luckily the nearby cafe now offers some pre-order choices. If I really yearn for Thai or Vietnamese food, I always encourage my colleagues to order via a food app together. Trying out a variety of food motivates me to have a more pleasant and productive afternoon. People who are chunky should love themselves for loving good food.  

This simple change of routine definitely makes me happier. I let go of saving every penny by bringing lunch boxes. Unlike a friend of mine, I still do not like to invest a lot of time in cooking dinner. Having more free time to enjoy stretching, exercising, watching TV or even being idle can improve my well-being. 

Recently, people stocked up on sea salt because Japan released nuclear wastewater into the sea. A psychiatrist related this phenomenon to seeking security. Another example is the stocking up of amenities and food during the pandemic. 

My friend’s storeroom is a semi-grocery store. Why does she need 5 chocolate bars, and 5 bottles of detergent while our living space is so limited? She told me that the storage gave her comfort and she was not scared when supermarket shelves were emptied by the crazy crowd. Another friend of mine has an apartment full of canned soup and food, too. 

Even though supermarkets and grocery stores are nearby in Hong Kong, human beings very much need a high level of storage to feel secure and safe

With the typhoon approaching, I purchased more snacks and food to reach that security level and to feel at ease.

samanthajones
English articles

And Just Like That

experiencetoday

I was a fan of “Sex and the City.” I feel empowered and so free watching the series. That sort of man-seeking mentality could never happen in Hong Kong. Four beautiful women who are fearless about chasing love or sexual experiences without being afraid of being judged. Not to mention, they also have a very successful career.

When I watched season one of “And Just Like That,” the sequel to the series, two years ago, I felt something was missing—the witty, charming, and remarkable Samantha Jones. The character Carrie is a little dreamy and fake, as I doubt how often writers are so rich and dress so flashily in couture and high heels. But then it gives me joy to see fabulous couture that I could never afford or wear.

It’s always joyous to see Charlotte in a branded outfit. She looks like a modern version of an adorable, forever young fairy godmother who can manage her family life very well with her husband and two daughters who are full of distinct characters. She talks in a sweet way about a kind mother who tries to convince others of what she thinks is right. When she refocuses on her career, her husband Harry complains about hardly having time to run errands for the family. I love the way she tells Harry to try hard as he’s only doing the “bare minimum.”

Many women either sacrifice their careers for love or try hard to manage both in their lives. The shout is just a wake-up call for many men to think again about how hard women can be—having a child, raising a child, doing a job and chores, and maintaining a love life. 

Miranda is almost the one I like to skip watching. She is tall and has the skeleton for great dresses. It is saddening to see that she appears to be depressed and in doubt in many scenes. She’s a successful lawyer but struggles with her love life and career. It is a bit unbelievable, especially that she questions her sexual identity at the age of 50, not when she was young. 

So it’s a great surprise and a fantastic moment to finally see Samantha in the finale of season two, even though it’s very brief. Samantha looks fabulous after all these years. She is the one who makes me believe she stays true to herself. 

She is such a classic role model of the modern-day woman—so confident and capable of conquering the world, and she dares to speak her own words without caring what others think. 

I’m glad that I continued the “Just Like That” journey and watched the whole two seasons. It reminds me that women in their 50s can still be wonderful, try a new path, and dare to dream and love.

English articles

Everything Everywhere all at once

experiencetoday

I was never interested in sci-fiction drama. The movie “Everything Everywhere all at once” is a surprise exception. I felt dizzy sometimes watching the scenes jumping around different universes, but I found it the director meant to tell us to be kind, to be brave, and to love each other. 

To find peace in this complex and chaotic world, it is tiresome to keep fighting and create emotional conflicts.  

Because of the information explosion, our life had never been that busy. Many of us tried to keep track of the internet updates, gossip, 24/7 work life, family life and personal issues. Having a part-time job or a side interest while studying is a must as young people want to start the race early. It is so important to obtain as many skill sets and experience right before your 20s. Isn’t it university life should be fun and carefree? Not anymore.   

In a critique written by the LA Times, it quoted the director Kwan stating, “The internet had started to create the alternate universes. ” The movie was part of a product of the “contradictions and emotional whiplash” of being very online at the time. 

There was a time when I felt like I could keep up the speed Internet expanded. A professor told me, “Just say I don’t know, and I am only focused on my strength and interest area.” 

Yes, there is nothing to be ashamed of if you do not know certain things. We could call ourselves “Master of the Universe” 20 years ago when information was confined to newspapers and books. Not anymore. Maybe our strength, nowadays, is to learn how to ask and where to seek the information that we need, instead of adding all useless information in our head. 

To avoid information overload, I feel alright not to keep track of all the news, especially bad news. It is smarter to filter and digest useful information, make connections and take part in activities that are meaningful to me.   

Life is too short to get upset when you feel bad about not knowing the latest gossip or Netflix movies.  I stopped joining the information race but became focused and open to new ideas and creative thoughts.

English articles

Going back in time: Press Play

experiencetoday

Going back in time creates a million storylines, including love interactions between couples. In the movie Lake House, Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock built an incredibly deep connection through the exchange of letters, despite the fact that they lived in different years.

The Time Traveller’s Wife challenged a couple in which the husband randomly travelled through time without control. Their love life was unconventional. The husband missed important occasions, and the wife was frustrated sometimes. They met each other in different eras and appreciated each other’s beauty. There was a perfect man, but he was not always around.

Can we change our fate by going back in time? The science fiction romantic film Press Play talks about the love story of a cute young couple. They were set up by the young man’s stepsister and met in a record store where there was a wall of unwanted cassettes. People created their own cassettes with a collection of songs in the old days, usually the songs we heard on the radio. 

I was earnestly waiting for my favourite songs and then pressing the record button when I was young. It took a few weeks to make a mixtape. But the tape gave me great joy. 

The couple created their own mixtape by recording the songs they listened to together and what they loved to celebrate. Unfortunately, the young man was killed by a car, leaving the girl with a broken heart.

A few years later, the record store’s owner gave the girl the mixtape, and she realised once she pressed play, she was transported back on her date briefly with her love, whom she could still not forget. She tried to save him several times. He just died in different ways. Even the owner persuaded her to resolve with such ideas and just enjoyed seeing her “boyfriend” again.

After a few attempts, her “boyfriend” gave up the idea of trying to escape the next death incident. Why? 

We do not want to let go of some fond memories that keep our hearts warm and make us feel great love. We live for the pleasant moments. Love, drive, joy and objectives keep us alive.  

For the last song she pressed play, the girl decided not to meet the guy at all. Can he be saved this time?

English articles

The One You Love

experiencetoday

On a Sunday rainy morning, I watch the rain outside the window, listening to “The One You Love”. I had not been in such a situation, but I dated two guys during the pandemic – one online, and the other for a week or two in person. 

I ended up not choosing one of them at all. We are drifting apart. Sadly, we can’t be friends as I want to be.

The lyrics, on the other hand, tell the story of a guy who loves a girl who loves someone else.

Glen Frey’s song describes a better scenario – loving one but not loving you that much or loving one who truly loves you like a friend. 

One guy told me that we could try to develop a relationship but he curates his life more than listening. The other totally focuses on his career and cannot listen to my sad moments sometimes. 

It is disappointing to see two people preferring to pursue their dreams and focus on what they want to do. They are not the love of my life, so I can only be happy that they find what they are seeking.

They are not my ideal love but somehow, maybe a comfort during lonely days. I decided to play gate ball last Friday. I didn’t realise some of my classmates recognised me and I had a great time meeting them and playing games. 

Sports and exercise keep me motivated on dark days. Wild ecstasy and relaxation can be realised through visualisation, even by riding the subway. 

There is something wonderful about our brain and mind that makes our life or day a lot more meaningful. 

Nevertheless, those familiar songs bring back memories of the pop bands I enjoy the most.

I know you need a friend, someone you can talk to
Who will understand what you’re going through
When it comes to love, there’s no easy answer
Only you can say what you’re gonna do

I heard you on the phone, you took his number
Said you weren’t alone, but you’d call him soon
Isn’t he the guy, the guy who left you cryin’?
Isn’t he the one who made you blue?

When you remember those nights in his arms
You know you gotta make up your mind

Are you gonna stay with the one who loves you
Or are you goin’ back to the one you love?
Someone’s gonna cry when they know they’ve lost you
Someone’s gonna thank the stars above

What you gonna say when he comes over?
There’s no easy way to see this through
All the broken dreams, all the disappointment
Oh girl, what you gonna do?

Your heart keeps sayin’ it’s just not fair
But still, you gotta make up your mind

Are you gonna stay with the one who loves you
Or are you goin’ back to the one you love?
Someone’s gonna cry when they know they’ve lost you
Someone’s gonna thank the stars above

English articles

Glastonbury Festival

experiencetoday

Glastonbury Festival never popped up on my Youtube until I was rickrolled one day. 

It is not the good old Rick Astley singing “Never gonna give you up” in his original cheesy music video like 30 years ago, but his live performance at Glastonbury Festival 2023. 

I clicked the start button right away. My eyes were immediately drawn to him standing tall in his pale pink suit on stage. It was his first appearance at the Festival, and the audience adored him. His signature tune gained momentum with his strong stage presence. Two dancers led easy dance steps, joined by ordinary security in front, making the live show more engaging. 

There are no signs of ageing on his face. He is no longer a young lad but a mature performer whose performance blew the roof off the joint. His renditions of Smiths’ songs are so memorable that I played them night after night like a lullaby. 

Rick retired from the music industry for a long time until a young man found his music video so cheesy that he decided to mock it. To everyone’s surprise, the “Never Gonna Give You Up” song became viral. As a result, the record company relaunched the official music video to ensure that people rickrolled to it. Rick’s name is no longer unknown in the universe, and his fame is bigger than ever.  

Despite no control over Rickrolling, Rick’s music career is back. He was invited and paid for appearances at events and festivals. He was interviewed on talk shows, and music magazines, sharing his Rickroll experiences. 

Rick sang in the noon time slot at Glastonbury, and to his surprise, was welcomed by a big crowd. His performance was outstanding and named the most impressive performance at the Festival.

English articles

A love story during Lockdowns

experiencetoday

Modern dating has changed all the old-school rules. When I meet someone during my travels, I cannot figure out where the relationship is heading. During my travels, I became confused about friends’ “chemistry” as chemistry may simply be a need for closeness and happiness.

Nowadays, with instant messaging tools, I have plenty of time to wait and see how the relationship develops. I am happy to let time decide.

Many say married couples have trouble during lockdowns. They interacted less with friends and colleagues but stayed in a confined environment. Stress was built up over time.

Imagine a young girl and an energetic man who start dating and decide to travel together on their third date from New York to Costa Rica. Both say yes to low-fare tickets. What a promotion! The plane was almost empty on its way to a holiday destination. It was March 2020, and everyone knew why the plane was empty.

The pair had plenty of fun in Costa Rica, but their return flight was postponed by the airline. They felt stuck in a hotel, so they moved to a B&B where they could enjoy cooking, swimming in a private pool, or relaxing on the beach. Unfortunately, their return flight was unforeseen due to the pandemic situation.

Their dates have become infinite. Both of them knew they should stick together until they reached home. Awkward feelings arose when the pair had to spend day and night together in an unfamiliar place. They used up all the topics they could discuss.

A month later, the pair decided to circle around Costa Rica and forgot about their bills during the road trip. The rental car was dragged diagonally into a bog. If no car passed by, they could have starved to death in the middle of nowhere. Luckily, it is a friendly country. The villagers pulled the car out of the bog with all their strength, regaining freedom.

Their adventure was documented by the guy’s social media stories, which caught the media’s attention. An online interview was followed by an interview, and the guy suddenly told the press that he was in a relationship with a girlfriend. It caused confusion as “the pair” were not a real couple. They spent happy times together. They let their guard down and lived like a couple. However, they never discussed their relationship.

A few days later, the flight was called off. The government arranged a chartered flight to pick up citizens back home. They felt it was a definite chance to get back to reality.

So, how was this relationship going to evolve? Yes, they continued dating and moved in together. A happy ending.

Interested? Enjoy popcorns and this Netflix movie with your loved ones.

English articles

Sweden beat Finland in Eurovision

experiencetoday

Eurovision fans in the UK reacted the same as football fans. Every time Sweden is awarded 12 points by the jury, the fans screamed out “Cha Cha Cha”. Their support for the Finnish song was evident. If the Finnish song won, that would make history as the song is written in Finnish.

Finland has participated in Eurovision 56 times but only won the trophy once with the English song, “Hard Rock Halleluja” in 2006. Käärijä’s song “Cha Cha Cha” is in Finnish. Though it’s not the typical jury favourite, the song is dancy and memorable, and the staging is superb. This boosts our energy for 3 minutes and the rest of the day.

Besides, the contestants’ personalities count. Although Käärijä struggles with his English, he is cheerful, open, and sometimes awkward in his way. Käärijä is extremely friendly and approachable. He connects with other artists, Eurovision fan channel hosts, and his fans. Everyone enjoys his videos and shorts which have become viral and influential.

He apologized for not winning the contest. His result demonstrated that it’s not necessary to write a song in English for excellent results in a competition. It is just Loreen who is so famous and an iconic figure in the song contest. She has equally many fans and won the juries’ hearts.

The jury can be a balance of fans’ choices as many ethnic songs have their beauty but are not appreciated by fans. Jury votes are controversial. Nordic countries are more likely to vote for neighbouring countries. Eastern European countries are doing the same, but that may be affected by culture and music taste. Neither jury nor televote can be 100% fair.

Expanding the voting to the rest of the world is a smart move to involve more stakeholders to say what songs they like. However, voting is not free. The organiser wants contributions and states that it’s a way to avoid spam and manipulation. Despite that the audience can vote for as many as 20 participants, very few people prefer to spend that money supporting many entries.

Käärijä should still be proud of his achievement, coming home with first runner-up honours. It is the second-best result Finland has ever achieved and the most successful Finnish song entry ever.

After the grand finale, some more Eurovision commentary videos will help get over the sadness.

Till next year 🙂

English articles

The “Yellow” sun

experiencetoday

It was winter 2003 when I entered the Tate Modern Museum. A sun that was so close, so gigantic, and so warm surprised me.

I watched the latest documentary on Netflix – Abstract: The Art of Design, in which the artist of this weather project Olafur Eliasson explained the power of “yellow” which he used in his installation “The Weather Project”. It featured a huge, glowing yellow sun mounted on the museum ceiling. Surrounding the sun was a misty haze that relaxed me. That was exactly what I saw in the museum at the time. How lucky I was.

I could not say it was sunset or sunrise. But the experience was so intense that the sun warmed my body and soul no matter how cold the outdoor temperature was. I happily lied down on the floor with my friend and many others, focusing and enjoying the calm moment. I could not think of a more wonderful thing better than the unreal sun. It is close but safe. It is big but not too bright.

I could have stayed there for hours if I did not have a busy schedule. “Is that modern art?” I wondered at the time. I don’t think it’s so abstract that it’s unapproachable. Contemporary art can penetrate our normal everyday lives and become part of our daily experience.
With meditation becoming popular, I will say meditation under this sun art should be an ideal experience.

English articles

The Coronation

experiencetoday

Today is the big day for the Brits. King Charles has been crowned and Camilla is now Britain’s crowned Queen after the grand ceremony. Despite the tragic memories we still have of Princess Diana, there is no doubt that the King and Queen are such a special couple. They are friends, soul mates, and they have loved one another for decades. 

The last coronation in the UK was 70 years ago. I was not born yet and I remembered the days Hong Kong was a British colony. Many things carried the royal symbol, so I was nostalgic watching the coronation procession tonight. 

There was boundless excitement on the day. The King and Queen are definitely in high spirits and look gorgeous in white elaborate outfits. The young Prince Louis at 5 stole hearts with his cute expression in a carriage and waving to people on the balcony. 

I could not see Harry among the royals on the balcony. Somehow I found it a blessing, and it’s even more comforting not seeing Meghan attending the ceremony. 

So many guards were involved in the procession. The tall black fur hat elongates the guard’s body. The red tunic and gold buttons make them so classic that they can be easily recognized from a distance. I saw similar guard outfits in Canada during national day events. Today, the celebration in the UK was so massive that it created a joyous atmosphere for Brits and older generations like me living in Hong Kong. 

It is so delightful that I forgive how much money the royals spent on every ridiculous thing that made the celebration so remarkable and memorable. Yes, that costs a fortune. There is no doubt that it has brought great delight to people around the world. 

Now the national anthem has been changed to “God saves the Queen” from “God saves the King”. The coronation proves that the British monarchy will be unharmed for at least the next 10 years.

English articles

Sweden’s pop song formula

experiencetoday

What made artists enroll in Eurovision again and again?

Loreen, the previous solid Eurovision winner, may retake the trophy in 2023. While I personally wish for either Spain or Italy to win, the chances are slim. Euphoria is such a Eurovision all-time hit and Loreen has become an iconic Eurovision star. She looks amazing with a perfect body and a likable personality. Her well-established reputation can easily influence juries and appeal to fans. Her latest song Tattoo does not surprise me and sounds like a formula-made pop song.  

Italian Eurovision songs are always deeper and richer, both in their sound and lyrics. The Spanish entry embeds traditional folk sounds in pop, so distinctively different that the artist may not win public votes. 

Over the years, several singers participated in Eurovision multiple times. 

Irish singer Johnny Logan won Eurovision in 1980 with “What’s Another Year”, and again in 1987 with “Hold Me Now”. He also wrote the winning song for Linda Martin in 1992. Eurovision turned him into an internationally known artist. 

Alexander Rybak represented Norway in 2009 and won the contest with his song “Fairytale” in high energy. But his entry “That’s How You Write a Song” in 2018 sounded naive. With respectable results, he remained the fans’ favorite. 

Corry Brokken and Udo Jurgens have also won the contest twice. If Loreen wins again, people may change their opinions on Sweden’s pop song formula.

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Staging

experiencetoday

Eurovision rehearsals continue. I hate that Tiktok got the exclusive snippets, we have zero access in Hong Kong. Luckily some fans uploaded those snippets to other channels. 

The stage consists of a huge structure, highly engineered, and automated. It is like a “dream come true” platform where highly creative work is made possible with LEDs, lighting, and enormous backstage manpower support. 

The moving staging enables the performance of the song with diverging backgrounds. An upbeat song is made more energetic by the silhouette of the artist on stage. A white seashell mimics a cocoon where a singer is awakened by a strong dance beat. Golden, tight, shimmering jumpsuits gives an unexpectedly fresh look to the young band. 

That is Eurovision’s amazing part. I once desired to be part of the team if I had stayed in the production field many years ago. Sadly, the pandemic put many production houses dormant or even destroyed them.  

The first Eurovision rehearsal has just begun. Snippets of the performance were revealed on Tiktok, showing the artists’ costumes as well as the artists’ costumes, dance moves, and staging.

We, the fans, try to get hints of how the performance will look on all channels, and how the influencers feel about the rehearsals. 

Eurovision audiences do not only judge the song by the quality of the voices, but by the energy, the melody, the high notes, and the lyrics. However, many times, the dance steps or backdrops are so memorising that can surprise us a lot. 

Sometimes I was surprised by the fact that I like  Gen-Z songs like “Breaking my heart” by Reiley, and “Samo mi se spava” by Luke Black, but then I gradually open up to songs with ethnic elements like “EAEA” by Blanca Paloma and “Soarele şi Luna” by Pasha Parfeni. It didn’t happen at all a few years ago.

This year’s Eurovision will be unpredictable due to the unknown nature of the jury votes till the grand final. Songs that are more artistic may have been eliminated in the first round already. 

Will global public voting affect the result? Although the song contest will be broadcast outside Europe, fans may not be motivated to vote for the artists. 

Will that be less obvious because of unfair jury voting? Let’s hope we won’t see Greece and Cyprus exchange the douze points again this year.

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Eurovision

experiencetoday

April is always a great month with holidays and Eurovision pre-parties. Early to mid-May is the highlight of the month. This music event is the biggest of all kinds and has given me excitement for years. It is more than a music competition, but a visual presentation of original songs. It celebrates alternative cultures. Many singers, groups, and bands try to convey deep and meaningful messages in their songs – self-love, female power, being confident to be yourself, and the hardship of being artists without insurance or being ripped off. Staging is massive with a week of rehearsals.

This takes up a lot of valuable time for artists to take part in. Hence, not many established artists want to spend so much time participating. It can be very frustrating if a well-known artist does not win the competition.

With the change in the voting system this year, the two semi-finals will solely be decided by public votes, not only by those in the participating countries but for the first time by audiences around the world. Job well done! That’s really a major change. Eventually, the results could be a shock for many people.

The competition is more or less back to normal after the pandemic. No COVID rules, no restrictions on the number of audiences. The complete ambience is back! The official Eurovision organiser creates a lot of interesting content. I personally like the artists’ top 5 picks of their favourite songs in history, say, it’s natural for an Icelandic singer to pick a few past Icelandic entries, or Mimicat, a Portuguese singer, to select Portuguese songs in her Top 5. A few participants chose their own songs to be in the Top 5 as part of their promotion strategy.

Another fantastic official interview series is about the artists’ favourite pictures. Not a bad one. I like how the producer kept the interviews short, spontaneous, and to the point. After all, there are almost 40 entries. Information can be overloaded and repetitive these days with photo galleries, video clips, social media clips, youtube clips, shorts, and interviews on tik tok, youtube, and official platforms.

Staged in Liverpool, this year’s Eurovision is particularly welcoming, friendly, and accessible. Maybe there aren’t any language barriers, maybe it seems to be supported by a famous King and Queen. The world has returned to “normal”.

It is unbelievable how much delegations have devoted their energy to promoting their artists and getting exposure on social media. Checking out videos can be fun. For example, Käärijä, the rapper from Finland, shows off his unique personality in the video about what to pack for Eurovision. Some of the dance steps were revealed a bit before rehearsals.

The event is extremely competitive. I would like to see if the number of views of individual videos reflects the semi-final results.

Stay tuned!

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Change of Jobs

experiencetoday

Marriage, babies, changing jobs, and divorce are some of the most stressful moments in life. I usually get an urgent call from a friend when she is seriously considering a career change. Luckily it doesn’t happen very often.

Last week, she started a job and decided to expand her expertise to a wider spectrum with better pay.

Job matching can be frustrating yet interesting. The interview panel examines the strengths and weaknesses of candidates. As manpower is tight on the market, candidates have more job choices than ever. However, the employment package may not be very favourable.

“How is it that our job location cannot be swapped? We could have saved a lot of time traveling,” but job nature and remuneration play a more important role than location alone. No job is flawless in the real world. We always take into account the criteria we may have when evaluating job offers.

I’m recently flattered to have been invited by a small non-profit organisation to its newly opened senior position and have an honest conversation with their representative throughout the week. I must say, a genuine conversation is quite unusual and rare during the hiring process.

I had a million questions in my head when I considered the post; therefore I drafted a proposal to test the waters and give myself more time to think through what I want to do next. It is obvious that every organization has already established its yearly plan before anyone joins. I would like to make a change.

However, it seems like there are numerous things to do before I can negotiate further on the number of suggestions I want to implement. Nevertheless, I am impressed by the potential employer’s sincerity. The conversation enabled me to gather critical facts for serious thoughts. I like the idea of this upcoming challenge, but I still feel uncertain whether any of my suggestions will be taken into consideration seriously in the near future.

Work is part of my life and I always strive for more – sports I love, learning, new experience, pleasant environment and interactions with people, etc. Despite that I let go of a golden opportunity, I felt relieved eventually like a heavy stone lifted out of my chest.

Yes, I can do more, but I would like to seek to understand their community more before I am ready to stand tall and fight for their rights.

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Lazy, indulgent Sunday

experiencetoday

I usually feel refreshed after getting plenty of sleep the next day. This morning, I struggled a bit. Waking up, I felt stiffness in my entire body. My scalp needs scratching and a massage to feel relieved. My throat is suffocating, and it’s a little hard to breathe. My spines are locked and need my full attention to release the tension.

Is it because of insufficient sleep? Or am I just a bit stressed? Do I need more serotonin?

Hiking yesterday morning probably left my muscles sore. My muscles tightened and the teacher wanted us to work on our core muscles in my yoga class last night. I tried to stretch and loosen my muscles between tightening exercises. It was a great feeling to have such a long stretch. I always wanted to regain my flexibility and aim to do the split again one day. My muscles are still strained. My racing thoughts are still with me.

How can I work through my day when I do not feel fit to have a more productive writing day? I simply practise breathing exercises, have a warm shower, lie on the sofa, and indulge in my favourite fruits, desserts, and drinks. Self-care is a necessity as well as interactions with familiar faces.

It is joyous to meet familiar faces on the community farm. I am disappointed with my winter harvest. Sunshine is insufficient. But my farm mates are generous to share some of their harvest and plants with me – lettuce, basil, and peppers.

Our farming session will end soon, and we need to take a break before another farm session comes.

By listening to music and watching movies, I can refocus my drifting mind on something else entirely. I must say today was not my usual Sunday morning, I hate my body limits what I can do. But I told myself the weird feeling will be gone soon and I decide not to push myself too much. Tomorrow will be a better day.

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Bad hair day

experiencetoday

From late March to April, people in Hong Kong turn on their AC and fans at home. Heat may not be the culprit, but humid heat is. The air is stuffy, and even with the wind, we still feel damp.

It is quite common to find corridor floors wet all day when humidity reaches 90 – 100%. We cannot do much unless air conditioners are installed to keep humidity low, but they are not environmentally friendly.

Laundry can be difficult as many of us hardly have space to dry our clothes. Dehumidifiers and fans are must-buy items in Hong Kong.

Styling hair is difficult on a humid day. I wash it and blow it dry in the morning. By the time I return to the office, my thin hair sticks to my face and becomes frizzy. I simply call it a “bad hair day”, or even a “worst hair day”. The young girl sitting next to me has an electric device to style her hair at work on a wet day. This is not once, but twice. “It is so imperative to ensure my hair looks gorgeous no matter what the weather is like.” That’s what she probably thinks.

On such a hair-unfriendly day, I prefer a passive approach to managing my hair as it naturally turns into an Omega style. I have to embrace it or tie my hair in a bun.

To be more aggressive, I’ll get a haircut, making it short and neat. Then it will stay well for a while.

I’m wishing the humidity this year is within hair bearable limits.