Category: English articles

romantic life
English articles

Live a Romantic Life

experiencetoday

One of the best things to do when spending ME time is to get engaged with people around the world with interesting conversations.

Dating and living with someone can be very romantic, and living by yourself can equally be romantic.

I feel lucky when I could just lie on a sun bed, welcoming the heat touching my body and seeing the clouds drifting in the sky.

When I watch an inspiring movie or read a good book, I feel “wow”, how people can be that creative or talented to do so. A book called Grit tells me that talents may not be as important as passion and perseverance. If you have the intention to do certain things and intent to put them into practice, you can be an expert in that area.

The world has unlimited possibilities and adventures that I would like to create with friends and share.

I spent the weekend visiting the elderly, I saw the sparkles in their eyes and how happy they were when a stranger came to visit them. An 84-year-old man told me that he felt so scared by the protest during the social movement and the pandemic. He dared not to go out unless necessary, but somehow let us (three volunteers) whom he didn’t know to meet him in person, talking for half an hour. He told us how happy he could talk about his feeling and he didn’t quite want us to go. When comparing the fear of the COVID virus and a lack of social connection, actually the latter is far scarier.

Much of the research proved that social connection and support are one of the secrets of longevity and happiness as well. I definitely believe so. Modern life can put us under a lot of stress and unconscious comparisons. I always appreciate connecting with nature and new people. Their stories intrigue me and we all have moments we would like to celebrate.

Enjoy Me time and enjoy time with old friends and new friends.

online dating
English articles

Online dating

experiencetoday

Can a romantic relationship turn into a platonic friendship? 

Unfortunately, the chances are less than 10% based on my experience. Specifically, it refers to the success rate of turning my significant others into friends after a breakup. 

No matter where people are, I enjoy exploring friendships. Somehow, a few turn out to be more than just friends. It takes two to make a romantic relationship work. Imagination enhances such development, especially for those who love someone distantly. 

One of the best things I tried was text chatting with someone without knowing what they looked like for over a month. It’s quite a fun game if you are willing to invest your time and bet on furthering a relationship. 

Distance relationships are more common nowadays, and disregardless of any stigmas, online dating can be fun. Why not try express feelings in various ways – a surprise parcel, a warm voice message, or a cute song transformed by an app? All these contribute to a new fond experience. The wild fantasy simply makes online dating a lot more interesting and engaging.

Waiting for someone you fancy to respond can be anxious. I tried to delay revealing the moment of truth for almost two months.  It was all good with the everyday chats and the closeness that I felt through the conversations. I felt connected. I felt loved. I did not want the bubbles to be gone in a second when the gift box was opened. 

Luckily, the moment of truth just brought us joy and enriched our feelings.  

I am sorry
English articles

Apologise

experiencetoday

Nowadays, many people are very opinionated. It’s common to see that people block each other on social media because of disputes or negative feelings. People haven’t thought about resolving the difference or whether they did it wrong. They haven’t thought about opening up a dialogue.

In Asian countries, an apology can be seen as a “lost face”. Self-image and reputation are of importance to many people. It’s not easy for politicians or senior management to apologize because they are concerned that it might lead to consequences that they might not want to see. Even if they apologized, people could feel that they were talking with excuses in mind.

After all, admitting to being sorry can be a very unpleasant experience. It takes a lot of courage to say the words and to say them right in the appropriate tone.

Human beings are not flawless. There are moments when things are wrong or we slip our tongues, hurting someone.

Saying sorry sincerely is definitely the way to apologize and ask for forgiveness. If we rely on written communication to say sorry, the tone and the choice of words are highly critical. , avoid phrases like “if” and “but” as they always convey the impression that you are not committed to doing so. Some companies tend to apologize but they sound like they are blaming someone and do not really express it authentically.

Words can be misunderstood. When saying sorry, tone, facial expression, and body language are vital. And people expect you to tell us what action you have taken. A gift or compensation may help. Even if people don’t accept the apology immediately, they may feel more resolved if you say it authentically. It takes time for people to think about and get over something. I could see the family reconciling after almost 10 years. So don’t feel awkward if you say sorry and the others don’t seem to understand. You’ve made an effort and you accept the mistakes. You do not hold on to something and move on.

friendship
English articles

Friendship

experiencetoday

Friendship can be magical when two people meet on a special occasion, and then connect and become friends. At a certain point, friendship may continue or end. 

As a kid, I mainly looked for friends to hang out with or do activities with. I enjoyed helping my friends with their homework. 

Friendship becomes complicated as one gets older; parties are fun, and traveling together is fantastic, but sharing the same values and thoughts, or even discussing specific topics, is more meaningful to me, and maybe you, too. 

There is always mysterious chemistry when you interact with some people, but not with others.

I don’t mind not having many friends, but I consider myself lucky to have 2-3 best friends and a few likable friends. Friendships are incredibly dynamic and mutual. A critical event such as COVID can reveal the true personalities of our friends. We definitely lost some time to connect with friends and meet new people in the recent 3 years while our lives did not just halt to a stop.

I realized a friend or two had numerous excuses for not meeting for more than 2 years in a small city like Hong Kong, I should refer to them as acquaintances instead. My closest friends might no longer be with me because they have made new friends, are preoccupied with other tasks, or have moved to live in another city. After a relationship ends, it is upsetting that the relationship cannot be transferred to friendship. I lost a friend of mine and I feel frustrated. It is sad to put such a close friendship aside.

I moan at such a loss, and I stand up again, looking for opportunities to meet new people and discover engaging activities with them. In a not-so-familiar environment, meeting new people gives me a sense of excitement.

Life is more enjoyable when I have people around me. Having ME time helps me unwind and appreciate life, but adventures are more remarkable when shared with family and friends.

Thank you, dear friends. 

English articles

Space and Houses

experiencetoday

The population of New Zealand was around 5 million in 2022, but this vast country recorded 3.4 million residents only in 1990. Its size is 240 times that of Hong Kong, where its population has already reached 7.8 million.

This island country covering 268,021 km, is slightly bigger than Great Britain. With the abundance of land resources, farms are everywhere. The bungalows are so commonly seen on the South Island, rather than duplexes and houses with multiple stories. The island simply has a lot of space where people can enjoy single-story home living. One can easily access the living room, backyard garden or garage without the hassle of going up and down. Town houses, cottages or cabins may be more susceptible to potential earthquakes compared with taller buildings.

As far as I remember, there are far more duplexes and multi-story buildings in the UK and Canada, even in rural areas. The bedrooms are usually located upstairs, and the dining room, living room and kitchen are located on the ground floor. On one of the weekends, I stayed in a two-story apartment in Akaroa, a holiday French town south of Christchurch. It is quite spacious with 1,000 sq. ft. The room arrangement is the opposite. My friend and I constantly have to walk up and down to have a cup of tea or relax on a sofa upstairs. The second floor has an open plan with a good recycle box system. That’s not a bad idea for the two balconies to be connected to the living space. The views are great. I can sit down and enjoy the garden view from the balcony, or access another balcony which is close to the street and the harbour.

The walk around the harbour or lakes is always wonderful. The water is absolutely clear. The mountain view is top of the class. The sun is so bright, wearing sunglasses is essential. People can have their private corners of the lake, enjoying the sunshine or swimming.

When I walk around the parks in the city centre of Christchurch, I find the benches are placed so far apart. Does it imply how Kiwis love to have their own space? I can see how eager Kiwis like to socialise in cafes, bars and parks. They are polite in some ways, but they remain quite cool on the streets. Almost everyone says “thank you” to the bus drivers when they get off the bus. An old lady said hello to me while waiting at the same bus stop.

In the city, people stay cool seeing people walking past them or waiting at the Bus Exchange. Customer service is absent in the airport and can be varied to a great degree in different towns. Be patient when you come to a cafe. Quite a few cafes put up signs telling customers that they are short of staff, especially in remote areas.

It is a new lesson learned about the concept of space. Maybe it can help add some head space or gather your thoughts in a less busy life.

English articles

Seeking Kiwi-Asian Cuisines

experiencetoday

Thai cuisine is very popular in New Zealand and can be super spicy. Restaurants’ menus tend to be quite small. A simple range of starters and stir-fry dishes are offered. I cannot find any Thai desserts or vegetables. The dishes are prepared with local ingredients and tailored to the strong Kiwi palate.

I found Malaysian satay at a fast food joint. The choice of dishes is simple and is what I was looking for in Asian food. 

The Korean offerings seem more authentic. My friend and I visited a family-run restaurant in the Asian area of Christchurch. I love the starters these restaurants serve with lots of vegetables. The Korean stone pot rice bowl was hot and yummy, but the rice could be a bit crispier from the heat. The beef stew tasted fantastic. 

Most Chinese restaurants serve a mix of Sichuan, Guangdong, and Shanghai dishes. Some combine them with Western dishes to appeal to less adventurous customers. I am a bit confused by the fried noodles, which are not the typical thick Shanghai noodles. The HK-style egg tarts are tasty but should be called Portuguese egg tarts.

I love the fact that many Kiwis love rice. Although lunch can be quite boring with the choice of sandwiches and salads most days, you can explore some other options if your office is downtown. If you live abroad, be sure to pick up some cooking skills. Then you can always enjoy more ethnic food. 

English articles

Alfresco Dining

experiencetoday

In the morning and at night, the temperature is below 10°C in New Zealand, while it is hot like summer at 26°C in the afternoon. The wind direction affects how we feel about the actual temperature. The forecast said 17°C, but I was wrapped head to toe in winter clothes on this summer day.


The sun is always so bright that sunglasses have become essential. If you dip your feet in the water on the beach, it is not so bad, but the further you go towards the sea, the colder it gets, and the waves get bigger.

In late spring, the temperature is usually perfect for sitting outdoors for a coffee and a meal. Find a beautiful lake, a farm overlooking snowy mountains, a beach, a pier, or a park to lie down and stretch those aching muscles. Bring some chairs to your favourite garden, sit down with a friend and have a bite of good sandwiches, apples, and cheese in the open air.


I enjoy the luxury of being so close to nature on my travels. It is a simple pleasure of not doing much in a day when you are with someone you enjoy spending time.

Check out amazing photos of the Kiwi food here, and enjoy more wonderful pictures in my photobook corner.

cows, new zealand
English articles

Agricultural Show

experiencetoday

The agriculture show resumed to Christchurch, New Zealand after having a break for two years. This show has put a lot of emphasis on sustainability with its online advertising. Nevertheless, plastic cups and plates are still in use, the organiser claimed that they sourced local and climate-friendly partners, used recycled and decomposted materials as much as possible, and of course, donated useful items to the community after the show.

I’m glad to learn that the show organiser tells the audience what they are committed to do to protect the environment. 

churro

I absolutely love saying hello to various breeds of sheep, cattle, and horses at the show. The food stalls were of great variety and good quality. The selection was excellent throughout the day. There were many fun competitions, such as gumboot throwing, wood chopping, and educational stalls on recycling aimed at families and serious workers.
I hope there will be more shuttle buses and signage in the future.

New Zealanders seem to be proud of the qualify of animals. Will that affect people’s diet choices? Will Kiwis be hesitated to become a vegetarian or vegan because of their agricultural heritage?

Check out more amazing photos of the Agricultural Show here, and enjoy other wonderful pictures in my photobook corner.

English articles

New Zealand gardens

experiencetoday

The Botanic Garden in Christchurch is nothing like the gardens in Asia. The vast space, the debris on the ground, vivid colours of flowers, and giant cabbage trees are some of its distant features. It’s like a wild soul being open to imperfections. Peaceful. Calm. Nothing is in harmony, but a diversity of plants is mixed but not matched. Flowers of different colours are arranged so close to each other that they are trying so hard to stand out among their “competitors”.  Plants are sculptured and well-arranged with a perfect balance of leaves, petals, and trees in Asian gardens. New Zealand gardens are not manicured in this way at all.

My friend told me he found the beauty of dead roses. This belief is definitely shared by many kiwis. New Zealand gardens are not meant to look perfect and can be full of dead leaves or withering flowers.

Now I understand why my friend structured his garden not in a “perfect way” like the Japanese garden. It is wild, untamed, disorganised. A bit of sadness with a touch of beauty.

People appreciate the life cycles of plants, just like people grow old and still love each other. The angle of sunlight is also taken into consideration in the design and the irregular placement of plants enables the gardens to be admired from different perspectives.

Check out amazing photos of the Botanic Gardens here, and enjoy more wonderful pictures in my photobook corner.

farm in new zealand
English articles

Look out for rich farmers

experiencetoday

My friend kept giving me useful tips on how to look out for rich farmers in New Zealand. Pay attention to the cars they drive, how many acres of land they own, and very small details. No wonder there is a reality show in Australia where girls compete to win a farmer’s heart. 

I’ve found that farmers in New Zealand are respected as much as other professions. There are a large number of farmers in this country. With the diverse landscape, farming seems to be the jewel of New Zealand. Sheep farming, cattle farming and dairy farming are all  major contributors to the country’s GDP. These farms can be run with specialised technology, so that their yields can be increased without compromising quality.

Kiwis are proud of their local products and like to support local businesses. Australia is their competitor but the two countries remain on friendly terms.

Hong Kong has imported quite a few avocados from Australia. Kiwi avocados are rarely seen, but some top quality free-range organic eggs from New Zealand can be purchased in supermarkets. Recently, we can enjoy frozen Hoki fish from this country. I hope we will have the luck to taste its dairy products in the future.

Chocolate milk, chocolates, and yogurts are not to-be-missed food items when travelling in New Zealand. This chocolate milk has a yummy, rich taste. There are so many brands of yogurt for tasting.