tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28553380709685073842024-03-13T21:53:54.024+08:00Hong Kong Women Teachers' Organization Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger186125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2855338070968507384.post-58764628792281911562019-05-09T16:32:00.004+08:002019-05-09T16:40:24.332+08:00Random Thoughts by Pauline<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OhKTDMJcMLM/Uq6as6TwBQI/AAAAAAAADYI/Z-reUF7TKogMX_NrgvflueIh7951M2pfwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/IMG-20131215-WA0022%2B%2528100x100%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OhKTDMJcMLM/Uq6as6TwBQI/AAAAAAAADYI/Z-reUF7TKogMX_NrgvflueIh7951M2pfwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/IMG-20131215-WA0022%2B%2528100x100%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">No short-cut</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">I
have often been approached for tips to master the English language. Every time,
I would give an answer more like a cliché reply and people would think I am
brushing them off. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Listen more! Speak
more! Read more! Write more! Think in English more!<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">I
am serious! I have been doing so ever since I was introduced this second
language. Those who are not able to reach satisfactory English proficiency like
to complain or rather excuse themselves saying that there is a lack of English
language environment in Hong Kong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
cannot agree with that. Hong Kong, a former British colony and branded as “Asia's
world city” since 2001, abounds with English not only verbally and literally
but also in the wide world of internet. An English environment is at our
fingertips. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Then
what has gone wrong that has thrown Hong Kong down to the category of “moderate
proficiency” in a 2018 study of English proficiency in countries where the
language is not the mother tongue?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Scoring 56.38, Hong Kong was ranked 30 just above South Korea with a score
of 56.27. We can, of course, doubt the validity of this study but proactively
speaking, we can take this as a chance for reflection.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Among
others, the post-1997 cocoon mentality may be the main reason. Since or even
prior to 1997 and especially after China’s rise in world status, many in Hong
Kong and not only the young have been gloating that English would no longer be
as important as it has been and that Chinese will soon replace English as the
world <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">lingua franca</i>. This complacency
is pure naivety. The position of English as a world language has not been built
over decades but centuries. True, Chinese as a language is gaining
international recognition and popularity and a day will come when it might be
the one language for world communication. But we do not have to sit there and
do nothing to wait for it to happen not to say, it might not happen in our life
time. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">It
is this ignorance that has ostracized our young people into eluding the
hardship of mastering English language. But no pain, no gain. There is only one
straight road – surrounding ourselves with an English environment. Back then
when I was at school, I would have to resort to listening to radio or spending
a fortune to purchase cassette tapes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Books
would be in the library. There were English-speaking television programmes but
they were quite limited and television sets themselves were luxury items. Now,
the internet provides all that we want or desire. So nurture that thirst for
English and you are already one step closer to mastering the language!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tNPGT4Eye0Q/XNPl3kpyfvI/AAAAAAAAPdU/D-8lhLawMOg-KA3qci3trZu7QTPQ8NoJwCLcBGAs/s1600/1212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="233" data-original-width="302" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tNPGT4Eye0Q/XNPl3kpyfvI/AAAAAAAAPdU/D-8lhLawMOg-KA3qci3trZu7QTPQ8NoJwCLcBGAs/s1600/1212.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2855338070968507384.post-69671228300160180272019-01-28T11:29:00.002+08:002019-01-28T11:30:30.470+08:00Random Thoughts by Pauline<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: x-large;">My
hands</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OhKTDMJcMLM/Uq6as6TwBQI/AAAAAAAADYI/Z-reUF7TKogMX_NrgvflueIh7951M2pfwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/IMG-20131215-WA0022%2B%2528100x100%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OhKTDMJcMLM/Uq6as6TwBQI/AAAAAAAADYI/Z-reUF7TKogMX_NrgvflueIh7951M2pfwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/IMG-20131215-WA0022%2B%2528100x100%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Every time when I look
at my hands, I think of my mother. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="color: #674ea7;">There was one time when
we were at the jewellery shop. She was trying on a sapphire ring. As she
stretched out her right hand to see if the ring looked good on her finger, she
sighed and took off the ring.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="color: #674ea7;">"No ring will
look good on my fingers. You see, they are so wrinkled."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Now I realize the
heaviness of that sigh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My hands look
exactly like hers then. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="color: #674ea7;">People age if they are
blessed with longevity. But is long life a true blessing? It is, generally
speaking, if one possesses these three basic assets – fund, friends or family,
fitness. Missing one, life can be very miserable. Think of these scenarios -
rich and surrounded by lots of family members and friends but bed-ridden or
rich and healthy but lonely fearing that everybody is after his wealth. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Even those who have
the good fortune of being healthy, well-off with no financial worries, loved by
spouse, children and grand-children can still be unhappy. These are the people
who are reluctant to accept the fact that they are aging. No matter how healthy
one is, he has to admit that he is no longer young and that his looks, his life
vital signs etc. are changing. How one deals with all these determines whether he
can age gracefully and happily. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Often we hear adult
children nagging about their aged parents saying that they are like babies
again. Sarcastic as this remark is, there is truth in it. The elderly want
attention. To solicit that, some might “fake” sickness such as coughing their
lungs out. They render themselves a burden. Others would stretch out their
helping hand and putting their fingers in all their children’s pies. They make
themselves a nuisance. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: 新細明體; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">How should the elderly behave so as to be
loveable? Well, be like good children – don’t speak unless asked, don’t ask if
not told and above all, always be there when approached.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NG6IurKgfM4/XE528C7xfqI/AAAAAAAAPNA/BvzhZnMPz0MfDUXMaLHmdIwtclNSuXV0gCLcBGAs/s1600/11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="723" data-original-width="406" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NG6IurKgfM4/XE528C7xfqI/AAAAAAAAPNA/BvzhZnMPz0MfDUXMaLHmdIwtclNSuXV0gCLcBGAs/s320/11.jpg" width="179" /></a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2855338070968507384.post-12809848316366593892018-05-09T14:47:00.000+08:002018-05-09T14:47:00.327+08:00Random Thoughts by Pauline<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OhKTDMJcMLM/Uq6as6TwBQI/AAAAAAAADYI/Z-reUF7TKogMX_NrgvflueIh7951M2pfwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/IMG-20131215-WA0022%2B%2528100x100%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OhKTDMJcMLM/Uq6as6TwBQI/AAAAAAAADYI/Z-reUF7TKogMX_NrgvflueIh7951M2pfwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/IMG-20131215-WA0022%2B%2528100x100%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">The Senior Citizen Card
saga</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Rita
treated me to a beef <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">hodai </i>(all-you-can-eat)
in Tsimshatsui as an early celebration of Mother’s Day. This was so sweet of
her! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">We
arrived at 7 and were told that we had two hours to enjoy the food. So we did
ticking off our favourites from quite a number of colourful forms. There was
broad variety ranging from salad to seafood and of course, all kinds of meat.
Drinks were also included. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">We
had lots of fun barbecuing the meats, burning some and chewing over others. It
was good value for money. Then at about 8:15, it was time of the last order. We
had some sweet potatoes as desserts. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">The
whole evening was rather uneventful. We had our usual laughters and selfies.
Customers were not that many. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">We
asked for the bill at about 8:45 stating that the charges would be for one
adult and one senior citizen. The waiter, with the broadest smile, asked for my
Senior Citizen Card. I showed it but he insisted to have it taken to the
cashier. And I gave it to him obediently. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">A
few minutes later came another waiter with the bill and my card. He said to me
that since we did not clarify our status when were seated at 7, I would not be
entitled to pay the senior citizen charge which was about 60% of that of one
adult. I rebutted that if that was the policy, then they would have to state it
on the phone when the reservation was done or when we were seated. Our years of
experience tell us that this claim is always made when the bill is asked.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">The
waiter explained that we were ourselves to blame, I was irritated and
threatened that I would post this mal-practice online. Then he retreated
pleading that he would lose his job if I were to do that. Rita, not wanting to
spoil the fun of the evening, asked me to let him off. I stood firm. The waiter
begged that he would pay the difference in cash to me because the company has
this policy and he was to blame for not asking me when seating us down in the
first place.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Why
should I accept that? Redemption? Personal favour? I did not even know him!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">In
the end, Rita paid for two adults and I am writing here instead of posting this
on popular dining websites! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2855338070968507384.post-24695403020769714182018-04-26T17:47:00.001+08:002018-04-26T17:47:34.826+08:00Random Thoughts by Pauline<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OhKTDMJcMLM/Uq6as6TwBQI/AAAAAAAADYI/Z-reUF7TKogMX_NrgvflueIh7951M2pfwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/IMG-20131215-WA0022%2B%2528100x100%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OhKTDMJcMLM/Uq6as6TwBQI/AAAAAAAADYI/Z-reUF7TKogMX_NrgvflueIh7951M2pfwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/IMG-20131215-WA0022%2B%2528100x100%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">Animal care in great
demand</span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">We
adopted Mimi about 15 months ago when she was already 10. She was not in the
best of health</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> - </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">overweight
for being fed with “growing” diet, dry eyes with sticky lashes, blood in urine,
dry skin etc. On top of all these, she sometimes gasped with the tongue out.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As
Mimi is a beloved member of the family, we have been doing our best to attend
to </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;">her</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">
problems. The expenses involved are horrendous. Her special diet for dogs with
urinary stones </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;">is </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">$150
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;">a bag of</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">
1.5 kilo. Three small bottles of eye drops cost $922. We simply cannot understand why animal medical
care is so costly.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But
it is not just a matter of </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;">money</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">, there is so much inconvenience <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #351c75; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Last week, I took Mimi to the family vet to check
on her heart problem. Recently, she pants and goes into spasm whenever she gets
too excited such as when she hears strangers passing by our door. The vet said that there are abnormal heart
murmurs and advised us to see a veterinary</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #351c75; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">
cardiology specialist. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #351c75; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">She gave me the phone number to call.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #351c75;">I did the next day and was told that appointments for
the week are only made on Tuesday. The lady said that I had to start making the
call right after the line is open at 9 in the morning because time-slots are
usually filled within an hour.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;">So the following Tuesday at 9 sharp, I made the
call. But once the call was put through, it ended. Fortunately, I just had to
touch that icon </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to redial. That I did. Guess how
many times in total? 183 times! My friend said that they had such experience
when they were making online ticketing. But this was the very first time for
me. At 9:23, I was put through and a recording told me I was number 21 in the
queue. Another wait of 20 minutes! A human voice finally sounded at the other
end at 9:43. In 2 minutes, the appointment was arranged. I was also told the charges,
examination is $1800 and any </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">thorough echocardiogram,
electrocardiogram and thoracic radiographs </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;">etc. would start from $6000.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Of course, there is the Society for the Prevention
of Cruelty to Animals. I am sure the charges would be cheaper. I would
definitely look into that! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">We need more animal care providers. Hurray to City
University of Hong Kong for establishing </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">the
College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">.</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2855338070968507384.post-8058386693851850612018-03-01T17:35:00.000+08:002018-01-31T17:45:45.263+08:00Random Thoughts by Pauline<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="background-color: white; color: #bb98ee; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 19.8px; font-style: italic; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">January 2018</span></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OhKTDMJcMLM/Uq6as6TwBQI/AAAAAAAADYI/Z-reUF7TKogMX_NrgvflueIh7951M2pfwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/IMG-20131215-WA0022%2B%2528100x100%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OhKTDMJcMLM/Uq6as6TwBQI/AAAAAAAADYI/Z-reUF7TKogMX_NrgvflueIh7951M2pfwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/IMG-20131215-WA0022%2B%2528100x100%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: x-large;">I am a
woman</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">I am a woman. In the eyes of the world, my function as a woman has been
fulfilled – I reproduced. But I do not always look at myself as a woman, the
female of human. In other words, I do not always show or exercise my femininity
as some women are so skilled in executing. When I work with my colleagues or
socialize with friends, my behaviour is never decided by the gender of the person
I am with but rather a number of other factors such as the occasion, the degree
of familiarity etc. In fact, I have been posed with embarrassing comments like
“Oh, you’re too tough for men to get along with!” The harshest would be “You are strong! You can
survive the trauma!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Women should always uphold themselves with pride and dignity. But the
problem is we care too much about how others look at us rendering us live a
life in others’ shadows. This eagerness to please or to reach up to people’s standards
brings in compliments at times but more often disappointment, self-degradation
and even self-destruction. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;">Women and maybe men can go to extremes to meet the expectation of their
men or the circle they are in – plastic surgery to enhance their looks,
child-bearing even in their 40s to satisfy their men’s hope of a descendant
etc. But surgeries can fail, a child cannot hold a cheating heart</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">. Children born of
such relationship are most unfortunate. Horrific child abuse cases are not
uncommon. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Women do not need men
to live a fulfilling life. We do not need to wait for orders. But most
important of all, we should not whine and moan and yet stay there in a victim
mentality. We always have choices. We get stuck in a situation only because we
allow it. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="color: #674ea7;">May all women love
themselves and be their own masters! Happy Women’s Day!</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2855338070968507384.post-34594099119968110262018-01-25T16:23:00.001+08:002018-01-31T17:39:24.343+08:00Random Thoughts by Pauline<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">January 2018</span></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OhKTDMJcMLM/Uq6as6TwBQI/AAAAAAAADYI/Z-reUF7TKogMX_NrgvflueIh7951M2pfwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/IMG-20131215-WA0022%2B%2528100x100%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OhKTDMJcMLM/Uq6as6TwBQI/AAAAAAAADYI/Z-reUF7TKogMX_NrgvflueIh7951M2pfwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/IMG-20131215-WA0022%2B%2528100x100%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Last Christmas</span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">I had never imagined that I would be left home alone for Christmas! Oh,
yes, there was Mimi, the 11-year old Pekingese I adopted a year ago. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">I was discharged on December 22, winter solstice, just in time for the
traditional festive dinner with family. The doctor instructed me to wear that
hard gear for a month so that the fracture in the knee joint could recuperate.
But Hong Kong Women Teachers’ Organization had planned an exchange tour of 40
teachers to Chengdu from December 23 to 26 with me as the group leader. I could
but forfeit the paid tickets. The Vice-chairperson and the Consultant had to
take up the leaders’ role. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">To make my fate even worse, I had earlier allowed my helper to take
extra days off since her mother was in town. That would mean from December 23
to 26, the situation was me, an old woman and Mimi, an old dog sitting in front
of the television watching whatever programmes we were fed with. I began to
contemplate how I was to spend the Christmas night. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">At about 6pm on 24th, came Teresa, my youngest sister with her basket
full of goodies – salmon sushi, pizza, pasta and even the Christmas cake from
my favourite cake shop. That was a very pleasant surprise because she has a
phobia of dogs and Mimi has a phobia of strangers. I could not imagine the two
of them spending a quiet silent night together in the same room. But that evening,
except for the initial few barks, Mimi settled down very quickly. Teresa could
sit comfortably without fidgeting or worrying that Mimi would bark. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Miracles do happen. After all it was Christmas! </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></span></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2855338070968507384.post-22350224374352628732018-01-25T11:57:00.003+08:002018-01-31T17:40:15.092+08:00Random Thoughts by Pauline<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">January 2018</span></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OhKTDMJcMLM/Uq6as6TwBQI/AAAAAAAADYI/Z-reUF7TKogMX_NrgvflueIh7951M2pfwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/IMG-20131215-WA0022%2B%2528100x100%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OhKTDMJcMLM/Uq6as6TwBQI/AAAAAAAADYI/Z-reUF7TKogMX_NrgvflueIh7951M2pfwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/IMG-20131215-WA0022%2B%2528100x100%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: x-large;">The treatment</span></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Mandy and Ken kept me company until I was admitted. Their drowsy eyes
told me they were very tired. They even brought my helper from home to get me a
change of clothes. I felt so indebted. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;">My knee was x-rayed right after. Luckily, no bones were broken or
dislocated but the kneecap was very swollen. I had to wait till morning to be
examined by the orthopedist. At about 11, I was wheeled to the room of Dr.
Chang, the Resident Consultant in Orthopaedics and Traumatology. He suggested m</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">agnetic resonance imaging</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"> of the injury to
evaluate the situation of the ligaments and cartilage within the knee joint. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;">That took place after another hour. Later in the
afternoon, Dr. Chang showed me the images taken earlier. Fortunately, there was
only a slight bone fracture but the joint was surrounded by fluid causing the
swelling and the pain. He suggested a</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;">rthrocentesis or using a
syringe to draw out the fluid so as to reduce the swelling and therefore, the
pain. However, l had to endure twinges during the process. Arthrocentesis was a treatment I had
never heard of but I did not think I had a choice. So I agreed. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">With the needle inserted and the doctor’s hands pressing hard on the
swelling, three syringes of dark red blood were drawn. To distract me from the
pain, Dr. Chang joked with me saying that the process was like milking a cow.
And I replied saying that too bad, the blood was not good enough for donation.
Here was one good doctor with a heart! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-align: justify;">I was discharged the next day, 22</span><sup style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-align: justify;">nd</sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-align: justify;"> of December, winter
solstice, carrying a heavy knee brace to actually immobilize the right knee
joint for it to heal itself! But home is on the third floor of a building with
no lift!</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ynjO1-D9gAI/WmlVqyWcf0I/AAAAAAAANXk/WZwvbrSoum0fkUX_36vwT6cRVQYzkAkHQCLcBGAs/s1600/20171221_161057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ynjO1-D9gAI/WmlVqyWcf0I/AAAAAAAANXk/WZwvbrSoum0fkUX_36vwT6cRVQYzkAkHQCLcBGAs/s320/20171221_161057.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2855338070968507384.post-66105769935132599912018-01-24T16:01:00.001+08:002018-01-31T17:39:10.547+08:00Random Thoughts by Pauline<div id="yiv7354285563yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1516775231382_14472" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">
<b id="yiv7354285563yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1516775231382_14477" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px;"><span id="yiv7354285563yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1516775231382_14478" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">January 2018</span></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OhKTDMJcMLM/Uq6as6TwBQI/AAAAAAAADYI/Z-reUF7TKogMX_NrgvflueIh7951M2pfwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/IMG-20131215-WA0022%2B%2528100x100%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OhKTDMJcMLM/Uq6as6TwBQI/AAAAAAAADYI/Z-reUF7TKogMX_NrgvflueIh7951M2pfwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/IMG-20131215-WA0022%2B%2528100x100%2529.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<div id="yiv7354285563yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1516775231382_14480" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b id="yiv7354285563yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1516775231382_14481" style="font-size: 16px;"><span id="yiv7354285563yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1516775231382_14482" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px;"> </span></b><b id="yiv7354285563yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1516775231382_14473" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white;"><span id="yiv7354285563yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1516775231382_14474" lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; font-size: large;">The accident</span></b></span></div>
<div id="yiv7354285563yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1516775231382_14480" style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px;"><span lang="EN-US" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div id="yiv7354285563yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1516775231382_14484" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">In the late afternoon of 20th, Friday, I was careless and missed the
last step as I walked down the staircase after a meeting at The University of
Hong Kong. My 120-pound plus weight landed on my right knee. My friend Mandy,
who was with me, though petrified could still say that I should go to the
clinic nearby immediately. I gestured that I would have to sit there for a few
minutes before I could stand up. It must have been an awful sight.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Two other events had been lined up for the rest of the day. I limped to
the two meeting places and managed to present myself properly. But by 10:30,
the pain crept in and I could hardly move my foot without moaning. The injury had
to be taken care of. Ken, Mandy’s husband who had arrived to take her home
drove me to the emergency ward of the Baptist Hospital. By then, the slightest
movement of the inflamed right knee would bring chronic pain enough to make me
scream. It was already 11 at night.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">I was the 15<sup>th</sup> patient waiting to be attended to by the one
doctor. If each would take up 10 minutes, my turn would be past midnight. As
expected, the doctor examined me at 1:00. He insisted that I would first be
x-rayed and then hospitalized. Might as well because there was no way I could
walk up to our apartment on the third floor of an old block with no lift
service! </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xGuJSAeHjTA/Wmg92koEe2I/AAAAAAAANW8/36xVZgP4BxwcIcq6pcqgtXTXughhne2nQCLcBGAs/s1600/%25E5%259C%2596%25E7%2589%25871111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="844" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xGuJSAeHjTA/Wmg92koEe2I/AAAAAAAANW8/36xVZgP4BxwcIcq6pcqgtXTXughhne2nQCLcBGAs/s320/%25E5%259C%2596%25E7%2589%25871111.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2855338070968507384.post-84462355448981937252017-11-06T18:03:00.001+08:002017-11-06T18:03:44.686+08:00Random Thoughts by Pauline<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">November
2017</span></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OhKTDMJcMLM/Uq6as6TwBQI/AAAAAAAADYI/Z-reUF7TKogMX_NrgvflueIh7951M2pfwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/IMG-20131215-WA0022%2B%2528100x100%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OhKTDMJcMLM/Uq6as6TwBQI/AAAAAAAADYI/Z-reUF7TKogMX_NrgvflueIh7951M2pfwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/IMG-20131215-WA0022%2B%2528100x100%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><o:p></o:p></span></b><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Guilty as charged</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Call me a foodie or a gourmand or whatever. I love
food and the satisfaction it brings to my taste buds and stomach but more
importantly to my spirit. A good meal paired with wine in good company is
heaven on earth. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;">Food does not always have to be expensive or exotic
but must be made from fresh raw materials, simply seasoned and served at the
right temperature. Presentation is important as the eyes are also feasted. But
it shouldn’t be overdone. I hate to think of all the fingers going over the
food to have it elaborately arranged into a peacock or a panda. As to wine, I
am not a </span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">sommelier</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">but can tell good wines from the bad. One glass or
at most two are all that I can and will consume even among close friends. And
such relaxing evenings are not too frequent, maybe monthly. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Company is of paramount importance for a truly
enjoyable meal. Bills are usually split but the birthday girl will be treated.
So even though there can be one who does not fancy oysters, another can’t stand
lamb, each pays the same. There shouldn’t be finger-pointing in restaurant
choice. The principle is “if it is good, there can be the second visit or else,
it will be one-off”. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Whenever I dine out, I refrain from any calculation
or consideration of calories, nutritional value, health risks etc and just let
go. But underneath there is always a twinge of guilt of what I am doing to my
health. I usually “punish” myself to have a simple salad the next day to keep
the balance. I love fruits and never drink coke or those cartons of sugary
water in all kinds of pretentious names. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Once in a blue moon, I cook. I also love watching cooking
programmes and restaurant reviews. So before my teeth yield or my health
deteriorates, I will keep this love of mine. </span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="內嵌圖像" height="300" src="https://apis.mail.yahoo.com/ws/v3/mailboxes/@.id==VjJ-13Bn0iyyhmRhHT4E7pfgjJDZ_IfQuRH-s_OO8bt1QW6nZHDUwlUXyfl_pbS2gZXzQLAuBO281WLeFXr1hJQK5g/messages/@.id==AFCC8QoAAB6uWgAzTQvymCkH9RI/content/parts/@.id==2/thumbnail?appId=YahooMailNeo&downloadWhenThumbnailFails=false&pid=2" width="400" /></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2855338070968507384.post-17513919469495711552017-07-10T15:10:00.005+08:002017-07-10T15:10:45.399+08:00Random Thoughts by Pauline<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">July 2017 </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #e69138;">Readiness</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OhKTDMJcMLM/Uq6as6TwBQI/AAAAAAAADYI/Z-reUF7TKogMX_NrgvflueIh7951M2pfwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/IMG-20131215-WA0022%2B%2528100x100%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OhKTDMJcMLM/Uq6as6TwBQI/AAAAAAAADYI/Z-reUF7TKogMX_NrgvflueIh7951M2pfwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/IMG-20131215-WA0022%2B%2528100x100%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Every
Sunday, I pamper myself with facial treatment and body massage. But before
that, I treat myself to a set breakfast at one of the fast food restaurants
rather than the usual cereal, toast and espresso at home not for the food
quality but for a break from the weekday routine. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">So
this Sunday, I arrived at the food court at around 8. I noticed that the
restaurant on this floor which only opens at noon was already bustling with
activities. I couldn’t help watching what they were doing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">The
two young men in crisp white uniforms were preparing fruit and cream sponge
cakes. One was whisking egg whites while the other was applying coats of cream
to the cake. They were focused paying no attention to me who was staring curiously
at them through the glass divider. That was four hours before the restaurant
was to open. I was sure that they were not the only two staff working. There
should be even more in the kitchen - arranging,
organizing, cutting, dicing, slicing, peeling, defrosting, boiling, blanching
and tenderizing etc. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">The
French names this whole process as the <i>Mise
en place</i> literally means “set in place”. That means all is ready before the
actual cooking. The hours of preparation
work are to ensure that the whole cooking process can be smooth and efficient
and that perfect dishes can be brought to the customers’ tables at the soonest.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #674ea7;">I stood there feeling the greatest respect for them and telling
myself not to gobble my food again but to nibble and savour every mouthful! I
also learnt a life lesson - preparation is the key to success! The greatest
inventor of all, Alexander Graham Bell, had put it so aptly. “Luck” is but “an opportunity” and for success
to be ensured, there must be good preparation! </span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 6.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #674ea7;">The recipe is simple: success = opportunity + readiness!</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2855338070968507384.post-16274922972117132612017-07-04T14:25:00.003+08:002017-07-04T14:25:55.463+08:00Random Thoughts by Pauline<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">July 2017</span></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OhKTDMJcMLM/Uq6as6TwBQI/AAAAAAAADYI/Z-reUF7TKogMX_NrgvflueIh7951M2pfwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/IMG-20131215-WA0022%2B%2528100x100%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OhKTDMJcMLM/Uq6as6TwBQI/AAAAAAAADYI/Z-reUF7TKogMX_NrgvflueIh7951M2pfwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/IMG-20131215-WA0022%2B%2528100x100%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Sunday morning walks</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Sunday
is my day for walking and public transport rather than driving. At about 8 in
the morning, I walk down Ede Road to Festival Walk shopping mall, go up several
floors to the food court to have my breakfast and then walk back to Kowloon
Tong Station for the train to Hung Hom. Instead of changing to West Rail Line
at Hung Hom, I get off there and walk to Tsim Sha Tsui. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Walks
on Sunday mornings are really relaxing. There is not much traffic nor are there
many pedestrians. Cornwall Road, for example, can actually be vacant with
neither cars nor people. And when I arrive at the footbridge overlooking the
Cross-Harbour Tunnel, I would stop and sometimes, even snap a shot of all those
lazy-looking traffic lanes. One to two hours later, these would be filled with
all kinds of vehicles carrying anxious drivers and passengers. I can also
detour to the waterfront and walk along the promenade. There is the Victoria
Harbor, though much down-sized, still amazing despite the maze of
monstrous-looking mega buildings clustering the waterfront. One thought always
comes to my mind as I stand there – we Hongkongers are miracle-workers. With
our hands and those of generations before us, we have built this safe, clean
and prosperous city we call home.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #674ea7;">The
footbridge brings me to the fountain in Urban Council Centenary Garden in Tsim
Sha Tsui. I love fountains as the water columns transform the place into a
fairyland. Sometimes, I would tip-toe closer to feel the mist. I become
childish and girly! Well, there are not any on-lookers. The street-cleaners are
too busy with their work as to pay any attention to me. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #674ea7;">After
crossing Chatham Road South, I arrive at Granville Road, one of the popular
streets to tourists. But it is too early for shopping sprees. Shops except for
some local restaurants offering breakfast, are not yet open. A big garbage
truck is parked near the restaurants with cleaners busily removing bags and
bags of rubbish from the door fronts and loading them to the truck. At the turn
of the street, the newspaper vendor is doing the last bit of tidying up. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="color: #674ea7;">By
then I would be all sweaty hyper with contentment for having exercised for
about 30 minutes. I arrive at Carnarvon Road and only minutes away from my
weekly 4-hour beauty session. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yVpH4U7YSv8/WVszoAjO9nI/AAAAAAAAMS8/9_C3n67dtToclERc98TkeM_A45vUg2x3wCLcBGAs/s1600/2222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yVpH4U7YSv8/WVszoAjO9nI/AAAAAAAAMS8/9_C3n67dtToclERc98TkeM_A45vUg2x3wCLcBGAs/s320/2222.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2855338070968507384.post-16589807896654078852017-07-04T14:11:00.000+08:002017-07-10T15:07:55.834+08:00Random Thoughts by Pauline<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #93c47d;">July 2017</span></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OhKTDMJcMLM/Uq6as6TwBQI/AAAAAAAADYI/Z-reUF7TKogMX_NrgvflueIh7951M2pfwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/IMG-20131215-WA0022%2B%2528100x100%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OhKTDMJcMLM/Uq6as6TwBQI/AAAAAAAADYI/Z-reUF7TKogMX_NrgvflueIh7951M2pfwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/IMG-20131215-WA0022%2B%2528100x100%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #e69138;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Gym or park</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">I have a free pass to all the 23
branches of a leading chain fitness centre. That means I should have no excuse
not to maintain my exercise routine. Well, I do have one good reason - I prefer
jogging in the park and around the neighborhood of where I live to working out
in the gymnasium.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Not that I have never visited the gyms. I
did make an effort to familiarize myself with those work-out machines like the
treadmill, the sky walker, the exercise bike, the vertical climber, the rowing
machine etc. They all come with state-of-the art consoles complete with information
on my heart rate, my speed, mileage covered and of course, the calories burnt. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">To tell the truth, I have never enjoyed
any of my visits to the gymnasiums. I don’t like the pungent smell of sweat,
the deafening music, the stamping of feet on treadmills, the dazzling big
television screens and in fact, the whole combat vibes of a boot camp. After
all, I am not preparing for any major sporting events. I just want some
physical activities for my aging body. Exercising to me has to be pleasurable
and relaxing but it simply isn’t like that in a gymnasium. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I know, I can talk myself into liking the
gym. I can exercise there rain or shine undeterred by weather. I can have
whole-body training. I can enjoy various television programmes. Then there are shower
and drinking facilities.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But all these can hardly be compared to
my jogging in the park. First of all, the air is fresh. When accentuated by the
fragrance of the mock lime and the gardenia, it virtually puts me in paradise.
If I go in the late afternoon, I can still savour the sun. In the evening, then
I can have fun watching the lunar phases with the tune and the lyrics of Teresa
Teng’s “The Moon Represents My Heart” vividly playing in my mind. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">As I jog, I meet real people so unlike
the combatants in the gym – people walking their dogs though sadly not always
the masters but the domestic helpers, couples chatting as they keep in pace
with each other, families playing basketball in the nearby court, a man flexing
his muscles under the tree, a kind-hearted lady attending to the stray cats or
some elderly ladies sitting on the benches catching their breath. We might
exchange a few words of greetings and just smile as we pass by one another. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">So with my favourite tunes playing and
my eyes so richly feasted, I am actually enjoying the jogging as I sweat and
pant! How can I be persuaded to give up all these to exercising in the gym? </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-keenW5sgHgs/WV3ieTHR9jI/AAAAAAAAMTY/TjXCN0-6IHk3LPbpsdJVTro7ckRpn9OZACLcBGAs/s1600/20170704_165518_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-keenW5sgHgs/WV3ieTHR9jI/AAAAAAAAMTY/TjXCN0-6IHk3LPbpsdJVTro7ckRpn9OZACLcBGAs/s320/20170704_165518_resized.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2855338070968507384.post-8722769106496333722017-06-28T13:37:00.002+08:002017-06-28T13:39:00.278+08:00Random Thoughts by Pauline<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">June
2017</span></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OhKTDMJcMLM/Uq6as6TwBQI/AAAAAAAADYI/Z-reUF7TKogMX_NrgvflueIh7951M2pfwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/IMG-20131215-WA0022%2B%2528100x100%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OhKTDMJcMLM/Uq6as6TwBQI/AAAAAAAADYI/Z-reUF7TKogMX_NrgvflueIh7951M2pfwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/IMG-20131215-WA0022%2B%2528100x100%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #e69138;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><o:p></o:p></span></b><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">The pianist</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">I was going down the escalator of a neighbourhood shopping mall when I
was pleasantly captivated by some beautiful piano music – Somewhere over the
rainbow! I quickened my step to get a look of the pianist. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">He was a very typical middle-aged bald man. Seated with his face to the
big floor-to-ceiling glass wall, he was all absorbed in his own world of music
not to be disturbed. I stood and admired from some distance. His fingers were
almost flowing effortlessly across the black and white keys while his feet were
stepping on and off the pedals with equal lightness! He made my day which
otherwise was gloomy and stuffy. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">I started imaging what made him sit down and start playing the piano. He
could not be showing off because he was not fussing around. Was he too early
for an appointment? Did he forget his house key and got locked up? Did he own a
piano? Was he simply re-visiting some long gone hobby? He could not be a piano
tutor trying to attract some business! For sure, he was not one of those
buskers for he would have played in the busy streets of Tsimshatsui or Mongkok!
But of course, the piano is too big for street performance. He could not have
been a mall employee because otherwise, he would have been all dressed up like one
of those performing in the posh shopping arcades in Central!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Well, I had fun lifting myself somewhere over the rainbow way up high!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Oh, someday I'll wish upon a star<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Wake up where the clouds are far behind me<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Where trouble melts like lemon drops<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">High above the chimney top that's where you'll find
me, oh<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Somewhere over the rainbow<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Way up high<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">And the dream that you dare to<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Oh, why, oh, why can't I, I?</span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5Iecn_GSxOU/WVNAsQcM_cI/AAAAAAAAMR4/MF6OfP0Bmk0uhMUr0ldfP-NWSfvSGU12gCLcBGAs/s1600/20170618_161449_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5Iecn_GSxOU/WVNAsQcM_cI/AAAAAAAAMR4/MF6OfP0Bmk0uhMUr0ldfP-NWSfvSGU12gCLcBGAs/s320/20170618_161449_resized.jpg" width="320" /></a></i></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2855338070968507384.post-88401378395892594062017-06-20T18:32:00.001+08:002017-06-20T18:32:48.742+08:00Random Thoughts by Pauline<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">June 2017</span></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OhKTDMJcMLM/Uq6as6TwBQI/AAAAAAAADYI/Z-reUF7TKogMX_NrgvflueIh7951M2pfwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/IMG-20131215-WA0022%2B%2528100x100%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OhKTDMJcMLM/Uq6as6TwBQI/AAAAAAAADYI/Z-reUF7TKogMX_NrgvflueIh7951M2pfwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/IMG-20131215-WA0022%2B%2528100x100%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #b45f06;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><o:p></o:p></span></b><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Private kitchen</span></b></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Last Saturday evening, we four ladies were out for fine dining as we do
at least once in a month.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">The restaurant is one of those private kitchens that have mushroomed
across the city in industrial buildings in Kwun Tong. My friend scouted it in
one of the popular dining apps and made reservation the day before. Unlike
other private kitchens that keep patrons in suspense of what they will be
served, we were given the menu which could be changed according to our
preferences. We did ask for the risotto with foie-gras and eel be changed to
prawn.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">The place was not fancy and could even be described as a bit untidy with
the guitar tucked behind the door and the tables, three of them, pushed to one
side of the small room. There were some classic posters on the wall. Our table
was the only one properly laid with glasses and plates. We were the only
guests.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">To serve us, there were the chef, a cool guy who never uttered a word in
our two-hour stay and the chatterbox waiter who commented on almost all our
conversation topics. A bit annoying I must say!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">For HK$500 per head, we enjoyed a five-course meal including pan-fried
scallop with mango salsa as the starter followed by mushroom soup with black
truffle, risotto with prawn, smoked A4 Wagyu and baked banana cheese pizza as
dessert. To complement all these, there was a bottle of Semillon Sauvignon
Blanc. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">The meal was good value for money because the ingredients were all fresh
and the chef though looking quite young had all the dishes delicately flavoured,
carefully done and presented to us right away. Only the dessert was a disaster.
We even began to wonder how this place was able to survive. The waiter who had
been overly attentive showed us the lunch menu saying that the place could be
full-house during lunch time on week days because prices are much lowered. As
to the evenings, like other such dens, they only open when there is booking in
advance. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">It was an enjoyable dining experience worth re-visiting. I would surely
recommend it to other foodies. Such eateries are often dreams come true for
young adults and they rely on word of mouth. I shall do my part as a show of
support for small businesses. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2855338070968507384.post-92071237623724738722017-06-20T18:30:00.001+08:002017-06-20T18:30:15.856+08:00Random Thoughts by Pauline<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #38761d;">June
2017</span></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OhKTDMJcMLM/Uq6as6TwBQI/AAAAAAAADYI/Z-reUF7TKogMX_NrgvflueIh7951M2pfwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/IMG-20131215-WA0022%2B%2528100x100%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OhKTDMJcMLM/Uq6as6TwBQI/AAAAAAAADYI/Z-reUF7TKogMX_NrgvflueIh7951M2pfwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/IMG-20131215-WA0022%2B%2528100x100%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #b45f06;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><o:p></o:p></span></b><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">One MTR ride</span></b></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">It was Saturday evening. I was on board the MTR on my way to Kwun Tong. The
weather with a typhoon lurking around had been humid and stuffy. The
compartment was not only packed but also filled with the rank smell of body
odour. Close to standing on one foot, I felt suffocated. There was not much
space to move. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Suddenly, the man standing next to me shied away from the woman in front
of him and started to lean back a little towards me. I looked to find out what
had caused the commotion. That woman who perhaps found her t-shirt wet with
perspiration too body-hugging had put one hand underneath her shirt to have it
lifted from inside! Cooling! I did one very unkind act - taking a photo of her
in action. Of course, I made sure her face was not shown.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Then there was a teenage girl with a big rucksack standing near the
doors. She was minding her own business – using her mobile phone. But unknowingly
she had occupied the space of three passengers – herself, her rucksack and her
two outstretched hands! As passengers elbowed their way to get off the train,
they all murmured and rolled their eyes upwards. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Earlier, the MTR had issued public announcements calling for passengers
with backpacks to unload them when boarding the compartments. There have been
many other reminders. The familiar ones include asking passengers to stand
behind the yellow line and giving way for passengers to get off first. Others
are meant to tackle some problematic phenomena – wearing flip-flops and using
the mobile phone when taking the escalators or wearing of thick clothing when
temperature in the compartment is warmer than outside during the winter days
etc.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 新細明體; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">We would have taken these to be acts of common sense not worth making a
fuss and yet corporations such as MTR will make sure that reminders have been
issued for the sole purpose of shirking legal responsibility! </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HFGdhPgMMzk/WUj47w_XUrI/AAAAAAAAMRE/x99CWBi_c1UDQbgYj8Ylh9oCClNmA6rRQCLcBGAs/s1600/2017-06-20-12-53-41_deco_resized%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HFGdhPgMMzk/WUj47w_XUrI/AAAAAAAAMRE/x99CWBi_c1UDQbgYj8Ylh9oCClNmA6rRQCLcBGAs/s320/2017-06-20-12-53-41_deco_resized%25281%2529.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 新細明體; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2855338070968507384.post-69697362741229410982017-06-06T18:41:00.002+08:002017-06-06T18:41:52.267+08:00Random Thoughts by Pauline<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">June 2017</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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</span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OhKTDMJcMLM/Uq6as6TwBQI/AAAAAAAADYI/Z-reUF7TKogTsQsDlVSP2t6uuHGk4W12QCPcB/s1600/IMG-20131215-WA0022%2B%2528100x100%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="100" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OhKTDMJcMLM/Uq6as6TwBQI/AAAAAAAADYI/Z-reUF7TKogTsQsDlVSP2t6uuHGk4W12QCPcB/s1600/IMG-20131215-WA0022%2B%2528100x100%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #e69138;">Booth talk</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #674ea7;">She virtually collapsed right in
front of me burying her face in the seat and murmuring that she would be
leaving while apologizing at the same time. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #674ea7;">We used to work for the same
school and have been friends for three decades. We meet every now and then for
festive celebrations or simply to catch up. It was Saturday afternoon. We met
for lunch. We were comfortably seated in the booth enjoying some very exquisite
cuisines.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #674ea7;">It was a simple “How are you? Are
you sleeping well” that sent her to tears with face twisted. I was not prepared
for this and couldn’t respond. She was one scene of desperation. I was telling
myself that if she really stood up to leave, I would have to hold her in my
arms. How could I let her leave alone?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span lang="EN-US">I had never seen her like this
until then but that was her true self and state of mind! All along, she had
appeared to be calm and composed though with a touch of </span><span lang="EN-US">melancholy</span><span lang="EN-US">.
She must have been masking! How dumb of me not to have detected!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #674ea7;">I know she has been bullied at
work by unfounded vicious gossips but I have no idea she is in such pain. I
thought that her sleeplessness was once in a blue moon but in fact, it has
turned habitual. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #674ea7;">She did calm down but her parting
words saddened me. “I better hide myself!” </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c4ML07ir9aY/WTaG6_yIgfI/AAAAAAAAMQk/A_U-6VJoXSMJrnkmwPj0TPA5VVRShDUswCLcB/s1600/1212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="626" data-original-width="938" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c4ML07ir9aY/WTaG6_yIgfI/AAAAAAAAMQk/A_U-6VJoXSMJrnkmwPj0TPA5VVRShDUswCLcB/s320/1212.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2855338070968507384.post-10300336044688915922017-06-01T15:03:00.004+08:002017-06-01T15:04:51.424+08:00Random Thoughts by Pauline<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">May 2017</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OhKTDMJcMLM/Uq6as6TwBQI/AAAAAAAADYI/Z-reUF7TKogTsQsDlVSP2t6uuHGk4W12QCPcB/s1600/IMG-20131215-WA0022%2B%2528100x100%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="100" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OhKTDMJcMLM/Uq6as6TwBQI/AAAAAAAADYI/Z-reUF7TKogTsQsDlVSP2t6uuHGk4W12QCPcB/s1600/IMG-20131215-WA0022%2B%2528100x100%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #e69138;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><o:p></o:p></span><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Not the usual kind of graduation ceremony</span></b></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="color: #674ea7;">This is the season of
secondary school graduation ceremonies. One of the schools I work for held it
last Thursday. It was the most touching ceremony I have ever attended. Having
served the education sector for decades, I have attended tens of such
ceremonies. There would be always be the
school report by the principal or supervisor or both, speeches by the guest of
honour and the student representative followed by certificate and prize
presentations. Sometimes, there would be student performance.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Teachers and students
spend an enormous amount of time and effort to make sure that the ceremony
would run smoothly so as to impress the guests but more importantly to create indelible
memories for graduates and their parents. Ceremonies can last 2 if not 3 hours
and when they come to a close; teachers are relieved while graduates are
exhilarated. As to the other guests if they do stay until the end, they must be
great friends of the school board, supervisor or principal. Others may have
long left. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="color: #674ea7;">But this ceremony was
not the same. After the routine items came the part of the class teachers
presenting their parting words to the graduating classes. One teacher recalled how her class took care
of her when she was not well and how she would be forever grateful. She then
sang a song encouraging her students not to fear but be brave in face of life’s
challenges. She was all tears while her students cheered her on.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Then another class
teacher came up to the stage. He recounted how he and his class practised so
hard for the choral speaking and finally they worked miracle - champion of the
category beating top schools. He encouraged students to carry forward such headstrong
spirit. His class applauded.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">I was among the
audience. As I listened, images of </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;">what </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">these </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;">students had experienced kept</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"> popping up </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;">in my
mind </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="color: #674ea7;">bringing
tears of appreciation to my eyes. </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2855338070968507384.post-83542865330952947862017-05-16T18:01:00.000+08:002017-05-16T18:01:05.084+08:00Random Thoughts by Pauline<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">April 2017</span></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OhKTDMJcMLM/Uq6as6TwBQI/AAAAAAAADYI/Z-reUF7TKogTsQsDlVSP2t6uuHGk4W12QCPcB/s1600/IMG-20131215-WA0022%2B%2528100x100%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OhKTDMJcMLM/Uq6as6TwBQI/AAAAAAAADYI/Z-reUF7TKogTsQsDlVSP2t6uuHGk4W12QCPcB/s1600/IMG-20131215-WA0022%2B%2528100x100%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #b45f06;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><o:p></o:p></span></b><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Beautiful people</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">They took such
attentive care of me - Peter and Susan, John and Jane that I will remain
forever </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;">g</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">rateful.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"> I was invited to stay in Peter’s beautiful garden home in Sandbach for
two nights and then together we stayed in John’s </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">3-acre manor house in Cumbria,
the </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;">Lak</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">e
District.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Peter and John were
respectively the Headteacher and Deputy Headteacher of Sandbach School,
Cheshire, England. It is the partnership school of Fukien Secondary School
(FSS)</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">and
was instrumental in supporting drama education at FSS. They have both retired
from their posts at San</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;">d</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">bach
School with Peter still flying </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;">a</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">round
reviewing schools in various countries in Africa </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;">and
Russia </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">while
John is busy working on his 3-acre manor house, the Carlton Hall. Th</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;">ese couples are very</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">
endearing </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;">with the wives fully </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">supporting their husbands in all
their endeavours. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Susan was a nurse but she took early retirement when Peter retired and
started his African visits. The couple have stayed in countries like Kenya and Saudi
Arabia and Susan has to take care of Peter in an alien land so different from
the settled life at home in Cheshire. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">John was the brain behind the highly acclaimed Sandbach School Theatre.
Upon his retirement, he decided to start a new life away from the crowds. The
couple purchased the stately manor house which comes with the extensive woods.
John actually painted the eight rooms, walls and ceilings. The live fire warming
us during those chilly spring mornings was made with the logs chopped by John
who is now the lumberman!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">This tour was so special with no “must-see places” or “must-buy things” checklists
to tick off but strolls in the vales and terraces, drinks by the fireplace,
chats over bar foods of fried fish and sausages and playtime with Max, the most
welcoming giant terrier.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2f56hMgi4Qo/WRrNsMe2fnI/AAAAAAAAMPA/--xXtgmAwfcB5VOIdQQU-EJ9EsWft1YhACLcB/s1600/20170417_184945-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2f56hMgi4Qo/WRrNsMe2fnI/AAAAAAAAMPA/--xXtgmAwfcB5VOIdQQU-EJ9EsWft1YhACLcB/s320/20170417_184945-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2855338070968507384.post-40805581373660417412017-05-13T16:16:00.004+08:002017-05-13T16:17:58.520+08:00Random Thoughts by Pauline<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">April 2017</span></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OhKTDMJcMLM/Uq6as6TwBQI/AAAAAAAADYI/Z-reUF7TKogTsQsDlVSP2t6uuHGk4W12QCPcB/s1600/IMG-20131215-WA0022%2B%2528100x100%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OhKTDMJcMLM/Uq6as6TwBQI/AAAAAAAADYI/Z-reUF7TKogTsQsDlVSP2t6uuHGk4W12QCPcB/s1600/IMG-20131215-WA0022%2B%2528100x100%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: x-large;">What
to do in 12 hours?</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">I will be flying to
London tomorrow midnight. It’s going to be a 12-hour flight. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">It should not be
pleasant - confined to a small space flanked by strangers.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">I</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;">n recent trips, I have found </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">passenger seats getting narrower</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;">. O</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">r
maybe I have grown bigger</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;">!</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">
The first 5 hours </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;">are </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">bearable. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;">I can be flipping through
the pages of the Shopping Catalogue or choosing a movie or two to watch. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;">Soon, the </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">pain
creeps in. My neck, shoulde</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;">r</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">s
and legs cramp. Time to get up</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;">!</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;">I pluck up enough courage to do the hateful task of
waking up a sound asleep neighbour to stand up for me to get out from my window
seat. Sometimes, I wonder whether it is worth all the trouble when after all
the maneuvering, there is only that short corridor to stretch out in. I have to
be most gentle in my moves to make sure that my hands would not land on
somebody’s face. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Toilet breaks are not
pleasant either. The washroom is so small that </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;">I have
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">to hold </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;">my</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">
breath and tuck </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;">my</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">
tummy in to get the door locked. And </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;">worst of all, </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">it is not always
clean. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Then comes meal time. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;">For Economy Class passengers like me, i</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">t takes a lot of balancing skill</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;">s</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">
and focus to finish the task. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;">Once a tour guide said that we should move our arms
and fingers like a grasshopper and definitely not sideways. If we want to
spread out freely like a bat, then we have to pay for the expensive Business
Class or First Class. Poor me, I have always been the grasshopper!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">Well, when it is into the 8<sup>th</sup> or 9<sup>th</sup> hours, I can
actually see my skin crumple with lines appearing all over my face. My eyes
might be shut but I am not asleep despite all the fatigue. I put up my hand and
ask for water which comes in a tiny cup! Another movie then! But the head is so
heavy, the screen so small, the sound so blurred that I cannot follow the
storyline. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 新細明體; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">Usually at the time of the final two hours, I doze off only to be harshly
woken up with lights glaring for the window blinds have been pushed up! I am
there – end of the ordeal! I have survived! </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G4qtRqSRZVA/WRbAqAad9FI/AAAAAAAAMOw/H1hi2w_oc6QtoDEYIw69rh2iIXViET83ACLcB/s1600/12232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G4qtRqSRZVA/WRbAqAad9FI/AAAAAAAAMOw/H1hi2w_oc6QtoDEYIw69rh2iIXViET83ACLcB/s320/12232.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2855338070968507384.post-11161832288605582742017-04-12T12:45:00.001+08:002017-04-12T12:45:30.294+08:00Random Thoughts by Pauline<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">April 2017</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OhKTDMJcMLM/Uq6as6TwBQI/AAAAAAAADYI/Z-reUF7TKogTsQsDlVSP2t6uuHGk4W12QCPcB/s1600/IMG-20131215-WA0022%2B%2528100x100%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OhKTDMJcMLM/Uq6as6TwBQI/AAAAAAAADYI/Z-reUF7TKogTsQsDlVSP2t6uuHGk4W12QCPcB/s1600/IMG-20131215-WA0022%2B%2528100x100%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #e69138; font-size: x-large;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Common sense</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Common sense says that we don’t use our mobile phone when
we cross the street. But why are people still doing it? Don’t they have this
common sense of danger?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Why is there the need for MTR to make public announcement
telling passengers not to look at their mobile phone when using the
escalator? That is not the only “gentle reminder”. Others include beware
slippers get caught when standing on escalator, loosen clothing when in
compartment etc.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Obviously, what makes sense to some doesn’t mean so to
others. Besides, what constitutes the “common”? A dozen, a hundred or more
people? These people need to have the same history or same likes and dislikes
to make up “a mass”. Then they might share the same “common sense”. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">This can explain why parents and their children,
employers and their staff, teachers and students cannot agree on their
respective “common sense”. They have to make deliberate effort to understand
the other party, accommodate differences and build ground for common
sense to be nurtured.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">So next time before we make a comment using “common
sense” as the argument, we have to first establish if there is anything
in “common” .</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EeipCii5Wz4/WO2wz3kaDtI/AAAAAAAAMI8/dnw0VCApohE7z5fs6KyDXe0L3sNTqlj5QCLcB/s1600/IMG_0969.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EeipCii5Wz4/WO2wz3kaDtI/AAAAAAAAMI8/dnw0VCApohE7z5fs6KyDXe0L3sNTqlj5QCLcB/s320/IMG_0969.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2855338070968507384.post-18242659177451893262017-04-10T14:25:00.003+08:002017-04-10T14:26:24.704+08:00Random Thoughts by Pauline<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1491801996984_27025">
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">April 2017</span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OhKTDMJcMLM/Uq6as6TwBQI/AAAAAAAADYI/Z-reUF7TKogTsQsDlVSP2t6uuHGk4W12QCPcB/s1600/IMG-20131215-WA0022%2B%2528100x100%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OhKTDMJcMLM/Uq6as6TwBQI/AAAAAAAADYI/Z-reUF7TKogTsQsDlVSP2t6uuHGk4W12QCPcB/s1600/IMG-20131215-WA0022%2B%2528100x100%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1491801996984_27025" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #e69138; font-size: x-large;">It’s a different world now!</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1491801996984_27027">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">There
was a time when we helped strangers asking for directions most readily.
When neighbours knocked on the door asking if we had an egg to spare,
we happily gave a couple. Telephone lines and refrigerators, expensive
luxuries then, were generously shared. Grocery store-keepers delivered
rice bags to our doors with the bill settled monthly. That was the world
I grew up in. We were not rich but were generous. There were no desires
but only satisfaction.</span></div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1491801996984_27028">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1491801996984_27029">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">All these seem like fairy tales now! </span></div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1491801996984_27030">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1491801996984_27031">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">Strangers
wandering on MTR platform shy away from interaction when offered help.
In public transport, seats for those in need have to be labelled as
though commuters cannot decide for themselves to whom they should offer
their seats. Backpackers have to be persuaded to unload. Neighbours no
longer greet each other. We dare not knock on doors for help. And yet we
know and let friends know about one another’s lives in details. We
react with our thumbs and smileys. There is no human touch at all. We
nestle in our own isolated world comforting ourselves that we have tens
and hundreds of friends. </span></div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1491801996984_27036">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1491801996984_27037">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">Oh! I miss the good old days!</span></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IdE0sSvJUok/WOslTZTv-2I/AAAAAAAAMIk/b2Wq3iSm7x8ZNfcqiz2BsvD28CaPOrkkACLcB/s1600/IMG_0953.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IdE0sSvJUok/WOslTZTv-2I/AAAAAAAAMIk/b2Wq3iSm7x8ZNfcqiz2BsvD28CaPOrkkACLcB/s1600/IMG_0953.JPG" /></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2855338070968507384.post-60566714678638794232017-04-05T17:33:00.001+08:002017-04-05T17:33:48.176+08:00Random Thoughts by Pauline<b style="background-color: white; color: #bb98ee; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 19.8px; font-style: italic; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">April 2017</span></span></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OhKTDMJcMLM/Uq6as6TwBQI/AAAAAAAADYI/Z-reUF7TKogTsQsDlVSP2t6uuHGk4W12QCPcB/s1600/IMG-20131215-WA0022%2B%2528100x100%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OhKTDMJcMLM/Uq6as6TwBQI/AAAAAAAADYI/Z-reUF7TKogTsQsDlVSP2t6uuHGk4W12QCPcB/s1600/IMG-20131215-WA0022%2B%2528100x100%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><span style="color: #e69138;">It was yesteryears once more!</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">“I so wanted to touch your bang then,” said Lily.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">“I am sorry, Lily. I would love to let you but it’s already gone!” I
said apologetically.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">It was the second gathering of the 1981 graduates in nine months. There
were 22 of them and two teachers including me, their revered English Language
teacher. Though those attending the two events were not all the same, the
fondness was abundant in both times. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">These students are now in their 50s but once they started talking about the
classroom days, they were teens once again. They happily reported to me that
they are all successful in their own fields and that they hold their alma mater,
Wellington College, a private school closed down in 2001, most dearly. They
keep telling me they owe much to their teachers who were all very strict.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Then I was in my early thirties, a trained teacher with only the
Advanced Level Examination as academic qualification. I was teaching around 60
periods a week with over 50 students in a class. But in their recounts, I knew
I was serious with my duties and they loved me for that. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">That makes me so proud. What matters most in a teacher is not just the
credential but the heart that is anchored in the welfare of the students.</span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dMDkM2SIQSE/WOS57goj5AI/AAAAAAAAMFA/950t5ngmrUs89tbUbHeD_l52MEPs0RoYQCLcB/s1600/dfd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dMDkM2SIQSE/WOS57goj5AI/AAAAAAAAMFA/950t5ngmrUs89tbUbHeD_l52MEPs0RoYQCLcB/s320/dfd.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2855338070968507384.post-51379018922586138732017-03-31T14:54:00.004+08:002017-03-31T14:54:52.036+08:00Random Thoughts by Pauline<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK; mso-no-proof: yes;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">March 2017</span></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OhKTDMJcMLM/Uq6as6TwBQI/AAAAAAAADYI/Z-reUF7TKogTsQsDlVSP2t6uuHGk4W12QCPcB/s1600/IMG-20131215-WA0022%2B%2528100x100%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OhKTDMJcMLM/Uq6as6TwBQI/AAAAAAAADYI/Z-reUF7TKogTsQsDlVSP2t6uuHGk4W12QCPcB/s1600/IMG-20131215-WA0022%2B%2528100x100%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: x-large;">Bean Bean lives on</span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK; mso-no-proof: yes;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">It was around this time of the year when Bean Bean lost
the fight against cancer and left us. He was 15. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK; mso-no-proof: yes;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">On the first day of the Lunar New Year, we have this
practice of taking a photo with our furry child. So last year though Bean Bean
weighing only 3 kilo was almost a bag of bones, we still had the photo taken.
He was not the cheery self anymore but lying almost limply in our arms. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK; mso-no-proof: yes;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">We missed him very much and the house was quiet without
us yelling his name or him barking for food. We couldn’t have another pet as we
worried he might outlive us. Then what would happen to him? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK; mso-no-proof: yes;">Soon the silence in the house started to depress me. I
must have another pet. We agreed that we would not buy but adopt. However, Mervyn
insisted that we would only adopt a</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> Pekingese</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;">, same breed as Bean Bean. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK; mso-no-proof: yes;">I browsed various animal adoption websites until my
heart bled. There were just too many pets being abandoned, starved and
tortured. The worst would be those abandoned by breeding farms. And I
discovered that dog owners are quite trend conscious. There were lots of
poodles, corgis and terriers but no Pekingese. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK; mso-no-proof: yes;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Just when I wanted to stop the hunt, sheer luck brought
Mimi, a Pekingese to us. Her owner had passed away and the other family members
did not want to keep her. She is already 10-year old, overweight with bladder
stones, infected eyes and ears. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK; mso-no-proof: yes;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">On January 24 just before the New Year, we adopted
Mimi. She quickly adapted to us, the new bed, new pan, new diet and new ball.
She takes all medication quietly and complies with all the urination
rules. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK; mso-no-proof: yes;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Bean Bean lives on in Mimi! The house comes to life
again! </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ooAUR7-3UbA/WN39N4OEFII/AAAAAAAAMEo/KQRPllbe_YYVUqdTxd85bFypr21slC0kACLcB/s1600/12125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ooAUR7-3UbA/WN39N4OEFII/AAAAAAAAMEo/KQRPllbe_YYVUqdTxd85bFypr21slC0kACLcB/s320/12125.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK; mso-no-proof: yes;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><br /></span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2855338070968507384.post-39076342311161412342017-03-30T16:29:00.004+08:002017-03-30T16:30:49.106+08:00Random Thoughts by Pauline<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">March 2017 </span></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OhKTDMJcMLM/Uq6as6TwBQI/AAAAAAAADYI/Z-reUF7TKogTsQsDlVSP2t6uuHGk4W12QCPcB/s1600/IMG-20131215-WA0022%2B%2528100x100%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OhKTDMJcMLM/Uq6as6TwBQI/AAAAAAAADYI/Z-reUF7TKogTsQsDlVSP2t6uuHGk4W12QCPcB/s1600/IMG-20131215-WA0022%2B%2528100x100%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: x-large;">Unspoken compassion</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">I walked past the couple every time I took the footbridge leading from
Kowloon Tong train station to Festival Walk LG1. Rather humbly dressed, they
looked like in their 70s though the man could be a few years older. Using a
simple iron cast box placed on a wooden stand as the counter, they were selling
a traditional Teochew snack – the crispy candy roll. The wrapping is one flimsy
white flour sheet while the main stuffing is crunchy maltose bars. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">This small business was run quite smoothly with the woman collecting the
money and the man preparing each order upon request. Carefully he took out one
sheet of wrapping from the box, laid it flat, put a candy bar in the middle, sprinkled
some sesame and coconut shreds on top and then rolled up the whole thing which
he put in a small brown paper bag. They even had a speaker on broadcasting “Crunchy,
crunchy, you miss out a lot if you don’t try it out”. It was the hoarse voice
of the man. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">I did try one. Crunchy but too sweet! Business was not exactly good.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">Then yesterday as I walked out of Festival Walk LG1, I was amazed to see
a queue waiting in front of the stand. But it was not the man preparing the
rolls. It was the woman while another woman was handling the money.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 新細明體; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">The scene brought to my mind the news story that the man passed away
last week and that the woman after shutting up herself for a few days crying
her eyes out decided to resume business. The news went viral resulting in the
queue waiting patiently and silently to be served. The broadcast was </span>still the
same familiar coarse voice. </span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cvL3FjEiKh8/WNzAxawSqRI/AAAAAAAAMEU/88a89vHWokgNQQaWX6UC0QoeoOTOjPhDwCLcB/s1600/1111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cvL3FjEiKh8/WNzAxawSqRI/AAAAAAAAMEU/88a89vHWokgNQQaWX6UC0QoeoOTOjPhDwCLcB/s320/1111.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2855338070968507384.post-55437868133217492752017-02-14T16:29:00.004+08:002017-02-14T16:33:21.796+08:00Random Thoughts by Pauline<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><span style="color: #38761d;">February
2017 </span> </span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OhKTDMJcMLM/Uq6as6TwBQI/AAAAAAAADYI/Z-reUF7TKogTsQsDlVSP2t6uuHGk4W12QCPcB/s1600/IMG-20131215-WA0022%2B%2528100x100%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OhKTDMJcMLM/Uq6as6TwBQI/AAAAAAAADYI/Z-reUF7TKogTsQsDlVSP2t6uuHGk4W12QCPcB/s1600/IMG-20131215-WA0022%2B%2528100x100%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><o:p></o:p></span></b><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">On sexual equality</span></b></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Sexual equality has never meant “sameness” between
men and women when after all men and women are not born, groomed or socialized
in the same ways. Stereotyping the two sexes is still unfortunately the norm.
Boys are stronger, tougher and less articulate etc. while girls are meeker,
weaker and more expressive. In Hong Kong, males in their forties and are still
single are crowned as “diamond bachelors” while the female counterparts are
teased as “residual girls”. Married women with no children are looked at as “incomplete”
or even condemned as “not delivering their duties”. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">As in all cases of generalization, sexual stereotyping
is dangerously naïve. Careers such as the disciplinary force or professions like
the architects, engineers, medical doctors, lawyers etc. have long taken women
on board. These days, women can bring in money while men do the laundry. But
social conceptions are not easy to change. It takes time. Quitting jobs to
attend to children is expected of women but regarded as an act of sacrifice or
stupidity when it comes to a man opting for it. . <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">Institutionalizing sexual equality is not to
promote “sameness” but “fairness” of not discriminating between two people on
the basis of sex. They are to be judged on the same criteria or standards irrespective
of gender. They are to be given the same opportunities and granted the same rights.
But even in this modern society of ours, such is sadly not the reality. Women
are still earning less. There are more men than women in top positions. Why are
housewives not classified in the employed category? They are doing a “no-thanks”
job putting their body and soul into the big business of taking care of the
family and bringing up children.There is Women’s Day but no Men’s Day! Why not
let us have Human Day like the 7<sup>th</sup> day of the first month of the
Chinese calendar! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">As the Chairperson of Hong Kong Women Teachers’
Organization, I have been criticized as sexist! I am not. Our activities or
classes held at Hong Kong Teachers’ Centre are open to all teachers, men and
women. And it is because of the limited space we have at our office that the
classes held there are for women only. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-language: ZH-HK;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">So sisters, with heads held up, let’s celebrate our
greatness - Happy Women’s Day! </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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