Tag: #friendship

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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?

Chinese articles

開放的態度

experiencetoday

近年，記者愛上報道精神健康的新聞，個別病人因未能短時間得到專科診症而病發，引來慘劇收場。香港經歷了兩次社會運動、在疫症期間採行嚴厲措施，近年來無論是內部經濟、教育制度、管治和工作環境都出現許多變化，以至政府不得不正視大眾的精神健康。

部分香港人選擇離開，反正都是一個大改變，在世界另一角落重新開始。不過，雖然近月病人似乎只需等候數個星期，便可以得到專科醫生的診治，但跟從前相比，醫生卻未能花時間對待新症，只能輕輕一談，給病人藥物而已，全人治療的目標實在難以達到。

從前，醫生會用一小時了解初次接觸的病人的病歷、心態和經歷，如今，不足二十分鐘，有點令人失望；舊症更只花五至十分鐘。近年，公私營的醫生看診都有縮短時間的傾向。私營醫生可能希望善用時間多賺取金錢，公營就要達標，當然仍有一些醫生真的用心幫助病人，多問診了解情況，這就是病人是否與醫生「夾」得來的道理。

我認識一位中醫，笑容滿面之餘，也會花時間跟病人傾談，有時醫治身體的不適，無論是普通科或是專科，一個温馨的問候和語調帶點關心和鼓勵都是無形的醫治。有朋友說，我每次都期待覆診，跟醫生傾談的機會。 

試想想，你想認識一位新朋友，用十多分鐘的言談，你會了解他多少呢?就正如見工一樣，從學歷表得知一些經驗，但十來分鐘的交談，其實只可以說大家憑感覺請人和選擇工作。

說回那天我在院覆診等待取藥時，見到一位高瘦的男士走在我面前，三四十多歲，樣子斯文，但他的舉止和發問的語速，令我聯想起他的心靈出了問題，他站在我的跟前是有一點太近、令我有點不自在。是的，我只是憑感覺，因為我從來沒有認識他，他向我問道：「消費劵是否今個月發嗎?」我只好快快回答說：「上月發了。」然後，我轉過頭來，走到另一角，是身體感到有點不自在的反應吧！一個陌生人在藥房的言行舉止與別不同，又問我這樣的問題，心裡實在感到奇怪。

離開診症大樓時，升降機塞滿人，竟然又遇到他。這次他向其他人問可否給他水渴，難得的是，大家都有著開放的心，視他如常人，冷靜地告訴他到大堂後再詢問吧！不知道是否媒體的教育告訴我們要善待人，還是常在醫院出入的人對不同類型的病人已經習以為常。 

無論如何， 我們沒有許多機會深入了解途人，只能抱著開放的心、不要胡思亂想猜度別人吧。

Chinese articles

找一個沒有電子裝置的空間

experiencetoday

為何跟朋友閒談、聊天，總是精力多一點? 身體的構造很奇妙。每當我沒有力氣的時候，朋友打電話或視頻聊天，就會忘記倦意。我留院時，姑娘跟我問診，我也不知道為何會清醒了不少，剛剛我的眼睛還掙不開來。

溝通和分享是生活和生命中的重要一環。十多年前，facebook創辦人Mark Zuckerberg發現同學間迷上互相連繫的玩意，並將之轉化為一盤生意。當我碩士畢業時，一位同學問我有沒有facebook，之後我們便成為了網上朋友，在網上分享一些照片和感受等等，其他朋友還以為他是我的男友，真搞笑！

不過，社交平台始終是一盤生意，我們分享的相片、人和事都會在網上留痕，難以忘滅。

近日，英國BBC新聞網有一則有趣的新聞 — 《為何Netflix 得知自己是同性戀者？》一位記者自言曾有一位男朋友，拍拖多年，心裡沒有性取向的疑惑，拍拖亦不是她人生重要的事情。然而，隨著她收看Netflix的劇集越來越多時，Netflix便向她推薦不少關於同性戀者的劇集或涉及雙性戀角色的劇目。

是不是她看了一些相關的影片或劇集，所以才有這樣的推薦？不過與她年紀、背景相約和網上看劇歷史差不多的朋友，Netflix給予他們的推薦劇目卻不一樣。

Netflix 建議她看You Me Her的多元戀愛喜劇; 而Spotify亦顯示了相關性取向的Playlist 給她。

之後，她才認定自己是雙性戀者，但大數據和人工智能比她早多個月知道她原來也愛女生，她實在感到十分疑惑。手機、電腦和網上程式似乎一直在留意著我們，比你身邊的另一半更關切地聆聽和看著你。

最近，我愛上在家走走路，在游池游水或按摩池放鬆身體，沒有電子用品的時候，我可以專心一點，當然跟友人一起在水池放鬆就更好，身體也會多分泌多巴胺(dopamine)、腦內啡（endorphin)、催產素（oxytocin)和血清素(serotonin)。思緒有點紊亂時，在池中游游20至30分鐘後，內心在涼快的水温和持續深呼吸底下，會平靜下來。


有人告訴我，他們在忙碌的教書和研究生涯中，跑步時得到平靜安穩的感覺，有人愛獨自跑步； 有人愛與其他跑手一齊練習。原來，不按手機和沒有電子裝置的空間，平淡一點，也可以從平靜中找到快樂。

Chinese articles

過時．過節 Hong Kong Family

experiencetoday

得知《過時．過節》這套電影一段日子，但沒有特別的衝動去影院看，難得Netflix在港不再給多個用戶分享，我便把心一橫，在這個炎夏多留在家的日子，訂閱另一平台，打算在一個月內，不時看一看心儀的電影，輕鬆一下。

從前，每看一套電影，都帶來一些思考的機會。

《過時．過節》滿載許多情感。一般草根家庭都受著經濟和供樓的壓力、中國人壓在心底內不願溝通和表達情感的常態，以至社會一些規律給大家一個框框。

回想起，父母也不會拖手、不會在子女面前親吻，在我的眼中，這就是平常，有時他們口邊說要離婚，父親有一點裨氣，十歲、十多歲的我不知道如何反應，但當老父病了的時候，看到媽媽對父親的關心，小時候對他們關係的疑惑原來是有點傻。

我當然沒有像電影中的兒子一樣逃離家庭。跟父親分離8年真是一段很長的日子。沉默的父親轉行為著這個家，支持妻子為供樓的使命。子女也長大了，他竟然在做冬前一天提出離婚，為的是不想強迫自己達至妻子想他温柔和貼心的期望，亦希望兒子搬回家中，陪伴妻子。

另一邊廂的是，兒子從網上認識的一位年長網友，對孫兒的離去感到遺憾。表親的婆婆一直希望與移居遠方的兒子再次見面，命運就是這樣，當機票訂好了，竟然難逃命運的排，身體不適而離世，與媽媽緣慳一面。

中國人的拘謹而內斂的文化在電影中，顯露無遺。內心的壓抑固然可能會令自己錯過了理想，要收在內心的情感也可能會令父子再沒有機會復合。

幸好的是，婆婆的說話給人釋懷的感覺—做冬多少人一起吃飯，也沒關係。女兒告訴父親每天扮上班，萌生爭取到海外工作的夢想。兒子和父親終於嘗試溝通，不吃冬至飯，也沒所謂。

那麼做妻子的毛舜筠是否輸家？雖然當年她提供離婚，但最終供樓的願望完成，一家人似乎一個又一個地會離巢，連她幫忙做家務的一家人也打算移民。她內心的滋味很難受，但卻也難以宣之於口。

現代人情感的流露較直接，也許會變得過火，與電影中傳統的一家成正比。

故事未必說出香港單一的故事，在遠方的角落也有著不少這樣的家庭，家庭成員充斥著不少予盾，互相不了解的故事。

冀望大家多了解、多溝通，家庭生活多一點温馨。

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

Chinese articles, Uncategorized

婆婆的一滴眼淚

experiencetoday

有一段時間，沒有參加探望長者的活動。香港的夏天炎熱，加上濕度高，平日多留在有冷氣的地方，故此在３３度高温下做運動、行山或長時間走路真的不容易，尤其是今年夏天，有數天高達３６度，美國和歐洲多國更升温至４０多度。熱力在石屎地上吸收後反射，蒸氣除除向上湧上，陣陣熱氣逼人，真的叫人有點難受。

幸好的是，那個周末早上下雨，還有一點點風，感恩的是義工們都可以在長者鄰舍中心等候，我和另一位義工到長者家探訪，長者都把冷氣開了，最後一位長者只在門前短暫碰面，這次探訪總算是個愉快的經驗。跟我一起探訪的義工是一位學生，初次嘗試探訪，我佩服她的勇氣。

與以前的探訪有別之處的是，我們代捐贈者把超市禮卷送給她們，更鼓勵她們與我們同行一同購物。

最終，有一位長者換了衣服，去惠康買東西，真的估計不到的是，她們都愛喝咖啡。一盒即沖咖排和兩條廚房紙，再加冷鮮魚，便100元。她在超巿遇見朋友，十分高興。

我也看到她眼裡有淚光，我的心感到十分温暖。我常常對長者說，多謝她們陪伴我。父母對每個人都十分重要，當他倆離開時，我的內心有時感到空虛，對父母的懷念仍在，有時看到長者高興地運動和聚在一起，我為他們感到高興，探訪他們更給我與老相伴的感覺，多了一份陪伴感覺，她們衷心和善意的感激，也給我一份暖意。

Chinese articles

瓶栽

experiencetoday

最後初級園藝班的一課很是有趣。由上一課到園圃觀賞開始，由於臨近買花的花園街，同學自然組合，一同去買植材、苔蘚、網紋草和玻璃瓶等。每人花費約60多元。我組決定不選多肉植物，我比較喜歡有草的植物，花不太適宜入瓶，因為需要多一點陽光。

我跟兩位同事一同購物，其實是為連同我四位同學實習堂作好準備。我平日座位旁邊的年輕輕男同學不見了，原來他患上心肌炎，幸好，他出院了，他帶著小玻璃樽上課。我們鼓勵他與另一位較年長的同學合作，給她一些植材的費用，大家一同創作，好好享受做手作的快樂時光。

上課時，我已有一定概念，就是有一頭小貓，在白色的小石路，周邊有紋網草陪伴著，相信貓會十分喜歡這個凉快的環境。

我的玻璃瓶約15寸，11寸高，比較矮身，植物不應高過瓶口，故此是有一定限制，但總算有一定的創作空間。

底層是一些排水性良好性的沙石。我們買了蛭石，內部氣孔多，保水性好、熱傳導能力較小。有同學用一些較大的石子作底層。老師建議很薄的一層便可以，大概2mm吧，但需視乎瓶的高度，然後放了約5-8cm的培養土，最好不要買有充足養份的土壤，但大部分現有的土壤添加了養份，盡量吧！

再用筷子幫助網紋草入土，但要分隔一點，我也向旁邊的同事取了一小撮草本綠草，不知道什麼名字，但矮細，點綴植物真是一流，加了苔蘚和白石後，感到有點不足，最後還是厚著面皮，向同事再拿一點苔蘚。老師自製的器具很有用，可以壓住泥土，讓植物較穩固。玻璃瓶背面位置，我加了一些蛭石，令白色不至於太耀眼。我十分喜歡這個作品。雖然老師較欣賞兩位男同學的作品，但許多同學也前來拍照。

有同學準備作一個海灘，回家後準備放一些藍色的裝飾石。

我們四個同學玩得開心極了，大家先來一張合照。這個瓶栽與別不同。花園街售賣的都是密麻麻，但我們所選的瓶子是各自選購，會讓植物多一點空間長大一點點。

冷天時，可以把瓶子蓋上，保温吧！

澆水從旁邊慢慢加水，排水層濕透便可以。

我真的希望他可以陪伴我。不過，現在學會了，也可以隨時創作，

Chinese articles

挑一份能愉快的工作

experiencetoday

一位同事跟我說上司的改變，或許她對下屬的期望很高，但又出手很低，形成落差。

事實上，除了一位副經理，我們都只拿取微薄的薪金，低於全港人工的中位數，然而我們默默做著的工作和質素，已經是超班了。

她以甜食攻勢，差不多每個月，都給我們同事一些甜吃，大概是希望我們多留一點。

回想過來，我畢業後的工作的短時期緊張，但很開心，同事早上一起打球，下午回報館開工。下班後，也會不時去吃宵夜，無憂無慮，直至某報館的一班高層進駐，令財副組的同事都不想久留。

是的，生活和工作總有變數，我讀書時學習新聞是公正，我也算是一個直正的人，不希望向這些壞勢力低頭，我們全組人都陸續離去，不感可惜。

年輕時，輕輕的人走了，沒有包袱，沒有憂傷，只是隨心而活，隨心而工作，也沒有怕這些惡人的不是，只是怕被人追求。

年輕不𢤦得如何對待追求者，我好像要上一課，學習戀愛和相處。

今天，我順著心意，愛我的人沒有太投入，總是忙著工作和其他事，也在遠方，學習跟其他人和朋友享受時光吧！我把我的愛給予長者和值得交往的友伴，感覺舒服多了。

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

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

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.

English articles

Edible fruits skin

experiencetoday

People tend not to eat apple skin or bread crust nowadays. This is not necessary and is more like wasting food to me. My friend introduced me to these tiny mandarins from Japan where I can enjoy the skin. I must admit that it’s weird to eat the whole thing, but I feel less “guilty” when I have them.

Known as Kishu mandarins, they are much smaller than regular mandarins or tangelos. Sweet and seedless with a thin, tender edible skin. They are not waxed, and the skin feels natural, not like apples’ waxy skin.

It is always exciting to try out different fruit, but I would prefer not to have too many of them especially the skin of mandarins. Japanese fruits can be high in chemicals as reported in the news. With the expensive price tag, I’d better switch back to regular Mandarins to use the skins for fertilizers or soaps.

As a matter of fact, there is a Japanese version of bananas that you can eat the whole thing including the skin. It’s almost $100 each, and although edible, it’s a strange feeling having the “skin-included” banana in your meal. 

We are programmed with habits, especially when it comes to eating habits and preferences. It will take a long time to convince me to try that “edible peel” banana.

Chinese articles

多角度看愛情

experiencetoday

這套Netflix的西葡小品Até Que a Vida Nos Separe （Until life do us apart）道盡多角色的愛情故事。女主角Vanessa於美術課堂上作人像模特兒，年青不羈的藝術系學生Vasco迷戀她，游說她派對及美國之旅。結果，這個足球派對全男班，俊朗而口才極佳的Vasco未能留住她； Vanessa反而愛上他的好友Daniel。Daniel猶如Vasco的相反照，就如平淡的海水，好好先生的形象，但沒給人太多驚喜。

愛情從來沒有錯與對。二人拍拖時，Vasco仍極力追求Vanessa，不過，年青的Vanessa懷有身孕，跟Daniel搬入他父母的農莊經營籌辦婚禮的生意，養兒育女。男的抱怨為何由攝影師變成婚宴拍照員，放棄了追求理想的機會。 Vasco事業成功，有自己的畫廊。女的感到一生花盡心力經營農莊婚宴生意，丈夫卻不稱職、頻頻出錯、完不投入。如果再揀一次，與Vasco到美國暢遊，是否有更美好人生呢？生活會否有更多火花？

似乎每個平凡夫婦背後，最初結織時都有著甜蜜又令人落淚的小故事，就如Vanessa的父母，二人結婚五十年，就算女開始有腦退化，父親依舊深愛著他；又有誰猜到他年輕時曾經是一個Boxer。在亂世年代，年輕小子滿面傷痕，逃避警察而到她家裡，兩人就此互相認識。康復後，他依然想念她，二人走在一起，不計較貧苦，養育兩位女兒，如今亦多了兩個長大成人的孫仔女。

兩人年邁老去，家中成員依依不捨。數月間發生的這個改變令大家庭失去重心，原來兩位老人家無形『支撐』著各人在農場上生活，儘使生活上、感情上出現問題，都有股動力嘗試迎難而上，是兩老給予大家愛情的典範？還是老人家賦予一股無形的凝聚力？

姊弟拍住協助媽媽經營這盤婚宴生意，到最後瀕臨破產邊緣，仍然立定志向堅持守業。孫女二十五歲，孫仔大既二十出頭。新一代對愛情的看法果然與所不同—— 她愛的是已結婚的靚仔警察，意無反顧，只想有愛，沒有想太多。

弟弟有如父親一樣經常沉點不言，不愛交往，女仔主動獻身，只會嚇怕他。他於虛擬世界交心，對方決意要見他一面，又好像愛上了他，性向對他而言，似乎不是重點的考慮，反而自覺是無性向人士，不想這個虛擬好友失望。

愛的表達有很多。Daniel與Vanessa分手的一刻，在攝影展上，展示了他對Vanessa真誠的愛、Vanessa父母的恩愛，以及葡萄牙人對家庭的重現，為他人生上半場見證的各種情愛作一個完美的總結。

劇集要說的故事和手法真的與英美片不同，有著耐人尋味的情懷感覺。

English articles

Korean pizzas

experiencetoday

Hiking in Hong Kong always ends with a happy meal with friends or hikers. It can also be a fun barbecue time in a country park as many hiking tracks are close to the city. 

I brought my buddies to join a few visually impaired friendly people for an easy hike today. 

The track is home to monkeys, starting at the Shek Lei Pui Reservoir bus stop. Most of the track is flat, wide cement roads, so non-trained volunteers can take visually impaired individuals along the track. 

Then we passed through the Golden Hill Country Park by the Kowloon Reservoir, and ended up at the BBQ site at Shing Mun Reservoir. We’re so excited to find the sizzling BBQ smell was back after the public BBQ sites were closed for almost 3 years. 

Of course, hiking is not complete without great food, and today, we sat down together at a long table, trying Korean pizzas and fried chicken. Don’t argue with us that Asian pizzas are not authentic or ruin Italian traditions. 

Asians are creative and embrace diverse food cultures. We are not satisfied with plain pasta without meat or vegetable ingredients. A pizza with just mozzarella and herbs looked sad to us, so we tried different ways to make our pizzas yummy.  

I first tried frozen Korean pizzas 5 years ago. They do not have many ingredients because of competitive pricing, so I add chopped tomatoes and beef or cold cuts on top of my meal. 

Korean pizzas, in general, are crispy with a thin crust and usually well decorated with tomatoes, meats, seafood, or even kimchi toppings. If you want extra cheese, order a thick crust filled with cheese. The pizza we ordered at Pizza Maru today looks like a work of art, making our lunch gathering more fun and pleasant. 

The chicken comes in so many flavours. The honey garlic ones and beef tasty sauce ones taste fantastic. The meal was definitely a happy ending for everyone who hiked together today.

Chinese articles

思想改變貧窮

experiencetoday

Jose Mujica 是一位全球最貧窮的總統。他一生不斷抗爭，加入游擊隊，務求推翻軍事政權。他入獄十四年，在獨立的監倉渡過，飽受飢餓、毒打和脫光衣服的侮辱，精神受到影響，出現幻覺。他如何對應？跟內心和心靈對話，給了他慰藉。

他亦逃過了槍傷奪去其生命的厄運，給他做手術的醫生原來是其黨友，幸運地他安好繼續抗爭。出獄後，他和妻子已經過了生育的黃金時間，沒有孩子，兩人默默地當農夫，這也是他生父的職業，借來種子開出白色輕柔的花朵，於市場販賣。

另一方面，他以演說為人民發聲，最後成為參議員。他的一字一句跟政治家有別，真誠的字句猶如跟平民對話，最後成為烏拉圭總統，他認為解決國內的貧窮問題，不單是從增加財富的角度入手，而要從人民的思維入手，當然幫助他們解決生活基本的需要是重要的。若印度的車有如德國那麼多，能解決問題嗎，空氣只會變得難以呼吸，並沒有觸及問題的底部。

他獲邀到東京大學跟學生分享的一席話，一切道理都盡在每一字每一句中： 

「生命不是為了成功。最重要的東西就是鍥而不捨。就算跌倒，也要爬起來。每一次失敗，也要有勇氣重新振作。失業並不是世界末日。就算你坐牢，也會有出獄的一天。你只要在呼吸，你就要生存。

「我熱愛生命。我還有很多事可以做，不斷撒下種子就是因為這個原因。

「如果你沒有信心，就去建立些你值得信的東西。相信自己和生命，不滿不是壞事。只是投訴但不去改變才是壞事。去找志同道合的人，開始行動。這就是找到生命意義的方法。你們毋須同意我講的話，找出你們正確的道路。」

有年輕人問如何令全世界都開心？

「我們只好竭盡所能。如果你開心，你旁邊的人也會開心，針對你熱愛的東西出發。我喜歡土壤，所以我耕種，這令我快樂。

「生存就是要正視問題，不能逃避問題。重點就是你如何面對問題？

這位80歲的老人家思想清晰，充滿智慧，不得不教人感動。看一次這套電影我貧窮但很快樂。

English articles

Tao Fong Shan

experiencetoday

There is a small path close to Sha Tin subway station leading up to the hiking track to Tao Fong Shan. Starting with narrow steps in a village, my brother and I were already surrounded by trees overlooking the city and the railway.

This track is suitable for a novice hiker as all the steps are cemented.

After 20 minutes’ walk, there was a roundabout and a sign for Tao Fong Shan Road. On our left were a few residential building blocks that look upper middle class. Despite being a weekday, we saw a few hikers. We soon reached a group of low white houses belonging to Tao Fong Shan Christian Centre. More and more worshippers arrived by chartered transport.

Situated in the high mountains, the Christian Centre offers a diverse range of workshops and spiritual activities.

The temple is in Chinese architectural style with Christian symbols. The labyrinth is constructed in a corner with a fun design. It is ideal for taking group photos or spending a solo moment in this tranquil environment.

A very large cross is located at the far end among these white houses, standing tall on top of a bare mountain, exposed in a wide space. Backlights will be switched on to ensure that people from the city can see the cross from a distance at night time.

For Christian believers, it surely gives them spiritual support when spending time at home during COVID. For non-believers, they won’t feel that isolated seeing some lights on the mountains.

Tao Fong Shan is also accessible from Shing Mun Reservoir or Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery where it takes 2 to 3 hours to complete.

Our trip took 1 and a half hours, and was refreshing in the morning before heading to lunch.

Chinese articles

偶遇

experiencetoday

今天遇到一個替Food Panda打工的中年人，身材矮小，不知道他的國籍如何。他在地鐵站前拿著手機正想問路，途人似乎對他想問的確實地址不太認識。荔景山道可以由美孚伸延到荔景。我也不禁停了下來，一股好奇心促使我了解他要到的地方，我也正好要向荔景山道方面走。

有幸的是，好心的途人查看到他要到荔灣花園，我二話不說，便建議我帶路。他的中文，我不太聽得𢤦、英文也不太𢤦，毋須深究他的國籍。

幫助人的心可以是從小處做起，我十分感謝得到助人的機會，畢竟現代人太多負面的想法，又或者對某些人有不好的成見。送遞員的工作可以是很重要的，絕不低微，試想想不能外出的人士可以享有美味的食物，多謝造物主之餘，也要感謝農夫、分發食物的人和送遞食物的人士。造物主把食物送給世界上不同人士，這份慷概的心令我佩服，值得學習。就正如造物主的眼光和量度都比一般人䆖大。

期望世人有䆖大的心，擁抱需要幫助的人。我也要學習「另眼相看」。

English articles

Bid someone goodbye

experiencetoday

I recalled the day I got the news about a doctor I admire passing away. Many of us anticipated this day would come but I was more shocked to hear the news when I was on a bus. 

The day before I read the news about a famous Chinese novelist who gave up treatment and died. I totally respected his decision as he said he no longer enjoyed food taste. And he’s over 85 and didn’t want chemotherapy. He’s actually an optimist and I always loved his openness on his talk show. He talked about love, poetry, history, movies and even sex more than a decade ago in this city. People were relatively conservative at the time. 

I let my tears run down and grieved, part of it, for the loss. I grieved, part of it, for my luck working with this doctor and being enlightened by his passion, innovative thoughts, and intelligence. 

No matter how stressful I was the rest of the day, I had to prepare all kinds of communication documents in a short time frame. But because of him, I pushed myself to complete the tasks. I learned to say no and get help when only I was asked to draft all documents. I am not a superwoman. 

When you live to the fullest, life can be filled with glory. His life is so meaningful and has inspired many to fulfill purpose. The purpose of my life is to explore little things with less stress and lead a balanced life. 

Celebrate moments when you feel happy, and cry out when you feel sad. Have a sense of curiosity and a little humour about the world. Don’t keep the emotion deep inside you and build it up till the balloon explodes. 

Observe what your body tells you. Have a sweet dream and a happy day. Every day is a new day.