Kenya Honduras Uganda

Kenya Masai
100% Arabica coffee bean
French Roast 
Acidity #3
Body #3
Strength #3
Aroma : moss, slight fruity sweet

Honduras Cristobal
100% Arabica grinded coffee 
Italian Roast
Acidity #1
Bitter #1
Body #1
Strength #1
Aroma : mud, dry

Uganda Erussi
100% Arabica coffee bean
French Roast
Acidity #1
Body #1
Strength #1
Aroma : caramel sweet, slight moss

Well, well, well...I am so lucky to have a chance of tasting all three of them. Basically they are quite mild but balance overall; according to my note of rare data provided, you can see how "junior" I am :P 

But, no matter how, as I've always said : Enjoy ! You don't need to be an expert.

Enjoy your cup of coffee, enjoy you relaxing moment, or simply the beauty of these bucket's design... 

P.S.: Thank you to my sweet sister-in-law Catherine 😘

Happy Friday - 7 in a week

HaPPy  fRIDAY

Happy Friday,

happy friday,

haPPy fRIDAY......

fly fly away :D 

👇 

download card 

Thursday - 7 in a week

Thursday

Deadline,

Deadline...

 OMG!!!

 I am COMING!!!

👇 

download card 

Wednesday - 7 in a week

Wednesday

it will be wonderful

if ..

only if...

I can escape 

for 15 minutes...

hey! anybody there?!

👇

download card 

Yes, we can !

The Lady and The Peacock

Due to the Anti-extradition law movement in Hong Kong in this month, I've decided to re-read this book again, in deep; and seriously think of what the meaning of non-violence and peaceful demonstration should be. 

It may not appropriate to compare with what Burma and Hong Kong's political condition, but the mind set behind shall be clearly and in common - Democracy.

Freedom that everyone shall deserve to have, without Fear!

It's heartbreaking for every citizen especially the youth to experience this movement, as well as the pressure and hatred that being put onto the front line simply because of a wrong move of the decision made by our government. Could this be repaired?

By re-read this book, I think, 

YES! if only if we really want to, in a way of non-violence and peaceful way. 
May God be with us !

Tuesday - 7 in a week

Tuesday

come on

concentrate,

add oil,

add oil !!! 

👇  

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Monday - 7 in a week

    Monday

5 more minutes,please;

just another 

5 minutes...

Hmm!

what a long day... 

 

 👇
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Sunday - 7 in a week

Sunday

Tell me why???

so cosy in bed...

so...so...

comfy 😴

👇

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Saturday_7 in a week

Saturday

Wait Pal!

Five 

Four 

Three

Two 

One

...

I am Free !!! 😂 

👇

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怎會忘記!

原本打算用點時間整理好手上的資料オ再重新投入寫網誌, 但今天早上, 仍是在忐忑不安的心情下醒了過來......

也許是為着明天遊行...又ー次為着我們所愛的香港, 不得不行出來的原故;
又或許是為着2014年, 黄雨傘運動, 相繼入獄, 承擔着沉重責任的ー班香港人的原故;
更或許是, 三十年前, 1989年6月4日, 天安門事件, 至今仍然連基本被悼念的權利也沒有, 的ー群愛國者及其家屬, 那種未能釋懷, 公義未能張顯的原故...心中確是沉重. 

六月份的電視媒體, 多番提問, 是我們已經漸漸把這些事情都淡化了, 遺忘了嗎? 只剩下一群"心懷不平"的參予者及家人繼續無止境地等待公義重臨的一天?

沒有! 我們並未忘記. 怎會忘記? 怎能忘記!

然而, 我們卻曾給予當權者時間, 去明白, 去反思, 去面對; 期望他們可以嘗試, 承認一點點, 補救一點點, 努力一點點, 愛人民多一點點...只此而矣.

三十年了, 不是ー個短時間, 歷史留下的一絲絲痕跡, 只會隨着時日加深. 
公平? 公義? 愛國? 造反? 和平抗爭? 暴亂?......難道我們的良知連這些也不懂分辨嗎?!

我們沒有放棄! 

"不少人仍然相信有一天, 公義會重臨, 我們不用再為着言論/政見提心吊膽; 真正為愛國而犧牲的人終可得到平反及肯定. 

不少基督徒仍然為着當權者不停禱告, 求神賜予他/她們純正無私的心懷; 愛, 神所愛的人民."

我們何嘗不渇望可以坦然去愛我們的國家, 去為着她的進歩及成就而驕傲呢?
可惜! 當一切都不是建基於愛和公義之下, 沒有生命的強國又有何用呢!

P.S.: 如果因着這篇文章, 網誌被封; 明白, 接受, 不甘心卻不絶望 :D

Yojiya : aroma of Spring

https://www.yojiya.co.jp/english/

It's raining in Hong Kong, wet and cold = our early Spring!

The best moment to be surrounded by freshly grass or road side trees (H.K. convenience :P) ... that's what I've always love after rain, the "salad feel" aroma rejuvenate my body and soul.

There is another "aroma of Spring" which can also help to enhance this season, a little sweet flower perfume from Japan; nothing new, because lots of girls know and can purchase it online these day; or simply like myself,  grab one from Kyoto or Tokyo by the help of my frequent flying friends. 

Originally, I thought it is the note of cherry blossom,  not only because of the lovely petal tag, but the sweet pink color as well; but after searching online, it's a kind of not named petal with the combination of fruity scent. No matter what, just wear a little, you can jump into the poetic world of Spring through out all day long, so relax. 
Try one and start to embrace this season.

* The one in front is the famous oil plotting paper of the same brand, a souvenir from my brother.
   The mini version of perfume on top is from my friend, Jessie; love both and thanks all :D
   

tuesdays with Morrie

凌晨 05:43 的香港, 天空仍是漆黑ー片, 窗外很冷, 隠約聽見冷空氣在人煙飄渺的街道中迴蕩, 偶爾路經的車聲把我喚醒. 心中一直想着近期發生的人和事..., 還有...這本書,

相隔12年, 重看 tuesdays with Morrie, 是人長大了?! 經歷多了?! 又或是真的對死亡看得更通透了?!

作者Mitch與教授Morrie重遇, 展開一連14個星期二的人生課程: 他們談及 (We talk about...)
lesson 1:  the World
lesson 2: feeling sorry for yourself
lesson 3: regrets
lesson 4: death
lesson 5: family
lesson 6: emotions

lesson 7: the fear of aging
lesson 8: money
lesson 9: how love goes on
lesson 10: marriage
lesson 11: our culture
lesson 12: forgiveness
lesson 13: the perfect
lesson 14:to say goodbye  
(抱歉沒有把這14課譯中文, 因為我想, 從原文的字裡更傳神.)

面對不治之症和必死的事實, 教授可以處之泰然, 甚至能藉着僅餘的時間, 再次燃點他人的生命; 我想, 這並不是"臨別贈言" "正能量理論" 云云. 如果Morrie不是活著, 經歷, 學習, 感受, 實踐於他的歳月裏, 以上的一切只會是空談, 卻不能感動人心, 令我們再次反思生命.

重看這本書, 感受良多. 經過摯愛及親友離世的人, 要把握的不是"14個星期二", 而是毎一天, 毎一刻. 能接受自己機能上的衰敗, 用智慧去活到最後的一秒, 是送給自己一生最大的禮物.

He patted my hand weakly, keeping it on his chest. 
"This ...is how we say...good-bye..." 
(The Fourteenth Tuesday)

****Thank you, Morrie - A Teacher to the Last. ****

                                                                                 

Rainbow forever

Time flies, I've find this cute souvenir from my drawer, it's hard to remember how long has it been sitting there...why?

Because it's so lovely and so mini, 4,5mm long by 4mm dia. each, that I even don't know how to use them, you know? Once you've begin, the beautiful "rainbow" will break unevenly, it seems the whole product will be spoiled. 

If this is yours, what will you do?
If this is a gift you've chosen for your friend, what do you want her to do? 

Use it or keep it?

I've decided to use it this year! 
Yes, I think this is the real meaning of a product even though it looks so perfect and gorgeous, if it is only for decoration, it's another thing.  

But when they can be transformed into a picture or colorful liner in my book, they means a lot more. So, finally what are they look like now?......

As beautiful as they were forever, thank you, Peggy!

Good Taste

"Hey, pal; this Black soy sauce is almost expire, can you help?"......one of my friend who traveled and returned from Okinawa, brought this souvenir to somebody and/ or due to whatever reason, it can't be delivered......"Well, my pleasure!"

Ha, ha! the real attraction to me of course is not the content inside, but the package outside. It's always an eye candy for those traditional products' packaging found in Japan; no matter the color, wrapping material used, typography or the "accessories",

Even though the taste of soy sauce is not too special, it was enhanced by the package which creates the favor and aroma of Ryukyu :  

colorful printed fabric of sunshine + 
dry sea weed from the sea under the blue sky + 
natural wood block printing like label and tag......
generations after generations.

Yes! the taste of freshness, pureness and uniqueness. 

The Magic of Packaging Design ! Thanks Kwan.



 

Alone is not lonely

There's a difference between lonely and being alone ... quote from LUCKY


You may still feeling lonely 
even if you are in a party, 
with friends, or 
being occupied by tons of task.....
then 
it's time for you to be alone.

Everyone needs time to be alone, 
but it doesn't mean you are lonely. 
You can find your best moment, 
your place 
where nothing can interrupt 
your thought, 
how nice it will be!

 

Irresistible Souvenir

Lots of my friends and relatives do travel a lot within a year and that's why souvenir accumulated progressively. It may be a good idea to "build" a Cocoa Souvenir Street here as a return of thanks to all of them.

It's always joyful when receiving gifts especially cutie item from Japan - the favorite vacation choice of Hong Kong peoples. 

Here it is...if you may know Chibi Maruko-chan : a Japanese cartoon character of a small girl who has weird thought and childish ideas, well, you may say "innocent" if you like :P

So, if you know the story, you will not be surprised by seeing this, not inside the package, but onto you own face :D

Relax, and return to your childhood for 10 minutes, you will definitely be rejuvenated, enjoy !

Full gift package, thank you Jessie !

 



 

福伯的不老傳説

HKIFF 42

昨晩在又一城欣賞今年所揀選的最後一套電影 : 由 Harry Dean Stanton 主演的一部遺作. 90歳向來消灑, 兩袖清風的老伯, 如何面對可能隨時發生的死亡?!

真的能如此豁達, 沒有遺憾, 沒有眷戀, 憤怒或驚恐嗎? 福伯帶領我們親身走過這一切的思緒, 短短九十分鐘, 彷彿上了人生的一課.

片中有太多太多値得回味的片段, 卻是一套没有刻意營造什麼大道理的電影,
很舒服.

Alone 與 Lonely 的不同; 烏龜逃走事件簿; 永遠没有人懂解釋的所謂"退化"; 生日會上福伯觸動人心的歌聲; 買保險不能改變的事實; 渺小的身形相對在旱地經年屹立不倒的巨形仙人掌; 由厭惡變成能處之泰然的墓園; 曾幾何時昔日服役的光輝歳月...即使只是一個厨子; 人生從來沒有帶什麼到世上, 走時兩袖清風也很合理......

要不洩氣地為着"退化"死氣沉沉地日過ー日, 又或者擁抱着周邊的關懷, 探索未知, 享受毎天的呼吸...明顯, 福伯選了後者.

我想是福伯的精湛演技, 在電影完結時, 影迷不期然地鼓掌, 似是回應着主角的智慧; 又或是早上剛剛陪伴朋友開始歩入生命的尾段令我有點彷彿活在戲裡戲外, 深知這是知易行難的一課.....無論如何, 福伯令"我的電影節"畫上完美的句號!

紐約公共圖書館

HKIFF 42

在大會堂劇院看這套戲實在別有ー番滋味, 因為我最愛的圖書館就在這裏.

入場時是意外的多人, 也許是適逢復活節假期罷; 無論如何, 很是熱鬧, 全院有九成滿座.

帶着期待的心情等開場之際, 後排一位男仕説: "嘩!成三個鐘, 睇完要急急脚趕下場... " 心想,  "好彩我淨係會毎日訂一場, 就係避免咁樣; 更加怕"消化不良" ,哈哈! 不過, 三個鐘, 都有D驚..."

開場了! 約20分鐘過去 , 心想, 這套戲如何能延續多百幾分鐘呢? 

這是一套以位於紐約公共圖書館整年運作計劃, 由一班熱心的管理層花盡心思, 由籌劃, 籌募 (因為其實這是公私型機構, 而且有多間分館), 以至實行, 維修, 改善體系等等...的半紀録式電影.所以片中有不少"會議"時間. 亦藉此介紹圖書館所提供的各式各樣服務, 藏書, 架構以及毎天發生的一些人和事.

差不多看了45 分鐘, 有趣的事發生了...彷彿我們不再是電影院内的觀衆, 而是成為"他們"的一份子, ー同去:

- 聽書評, 見作者, 詩人, 文學家, 音樂家; 感受他們所想所期盼的世界.
- 欣賞藝術藏品, 百年相片所紀録的古今.
- 學習關心手語/視障的推廣; 種族問題, 貧窮人口, 無家者的需要.
- 歩觸未能同歩接合互聯網世界的ー大群人; 又或者教育子女等日常看似普通, 卻日漸令父母吃不消的實况.

餘下的時間, 你會感受到管理層及員工為何會日以計夜, 年復年, 在政客及捐募者中籌集資源令圖書館得以運作. 不停的大小項目, 探訪, 分柝, 陪訓...成功或失敗.... 目的是要為着不同社區的需要, 調配各有地區性的公共圖書館: ー個"人性" 的空間, ー個不單單擁抱着被遺忘的過去; 更擁有無止境知識的泉源, 可見或未知世界探索的地方.


公共圖書館 :把人帶回希望的橋樑...感激片中所有人的付出.
我的三個半小時, 算不上什麼!

遺忘詩篇

HKIFF42

不經不覺又一年了，今天晚上在又一城看了在第四十二屆香港國際電影節所揀選的第一套電影：法國作品，遺忘詩篇。92分鐘的電影，不算長，節奏很慢，人物、場景很少，故事很簡單。由管理員帶着觀眾從被遺忘的墓園，重尋被遺忘的人和事。

管理員對最後一具未處理屍體的執着，讓故事中人尋回失落的安慰，也讓我們從死亡中緊記持守人性的尊嚴。全套戲的色彩很美，尤如退色的畫；尤其偏愛管理員飯枱上的吊燈及窗外萬家燈火卻又如斯寧靜的夜景。墓園在鏡頭下呈現一種脫離現實的狀態，彷彿在另外一個空間似的，很特別，令人很留戀。

如果你看電影簡介，也許會領略到更多由導演想帶出的訊息，不過我還是喜歡用一份探險的心情去看電影節的戲。今年，是個好的開始，一套令人細味的好戲。你呢？是否已和大家一樣，展開了你的探險之旅？！

 提示：唔好話我唔提你，記得聽埋片尾 Vivaldi 隻 Summer 先好離座呀！

Real Distortion

I've took this photo quite a long time ago, which was on the same day as the "fluorescent butterfly" in my Anti-gravity blog post , in Oct 2017. 

This is a really nice and tranquil place at Yiu Chung Yee Museum in Hong Kong, as far as I've remember, that was  a rainy day, so tourist were rare; i.e.: the best time for "photo adventure". I was looking for interesting view angle and by chance, this was what I had discovered. 

It looks a little bit weird, right? I mean the angle of view. The truth is, by normal, the direction of vanishing point should be 45 degree at NE, but I twisted my camera + my head, of course :D, to capture this almost isometric view, everything become weightless in a second, especially those furniture, so cool!

If the building at top left can be compressed a little bit more, it will be perfect, but as my usual practice, minimum PS touch is the best; so I  better leave it as it is to remind me they are distorted in real ! Hope you'll like it.
 

做個兼職設計師

幾年前，機緣巧合之際，開始第一次教自在人生自學計劃入面嘅一個美化家居課程。相信好多人都認識呢個專為婦女而設嘅計劃，由政府，公開大學同一D社區中心或者教會合辦；目的當然離唔開鼓勵市民，特別係退休婦女或者主婦、新來港人士等有個持續進修嘅機會啦，最近連男生都收埋，好熱鬧。

不知不覺間，眨吓眼，斷斷續續咁已經踏入第三年教學生涯。

原本諗住係工餘時間以外，一方面認識多D冇利益關係嘅人，平衡吓生活 :D，另一方面又可以將自己熟識嘅室內設計知識同同學分享吓。初時以為已經係成人嘅同學們都係係咁意，柴娃娃搵D嘢學吓，消磨吓時間；不過真係估佢哋唔到，大部份同學唔單只唔係玩玩吓，好專心甚至好認真咁抄筆記，都令我幾意外......即係我都唔可以hea 教，要認認真真啦 :P

另外最有意思嘅係，有唔少同學係我嘅長輩，初初聽佢哋叫我一聲＂老師＂，真係有D＂唔敢當＂嘅感覺；而老實講，或許真係因為係老一脫人，大部份都好有禮貌，令我突然搵番失落咗好一陣子嘅＂尊師重道＂感覺，好珍貴！

你估係課堂上最多人問嘅係咩嘢問題吖？（截至2017年第三個學期止）

第三位：做個升高嘅地台儲物，你話好唔好呀?！
第二位：你覺得地面做瓷磚定係木地板好呀？
第一位 ：究竟牆身油漆好定貼牆紙好呢？

呢幾條差不多係我嘅必答題 :D

短短幾年間遇過唔少類型嘅同學，同埋亦親身體會到一般用家其實最關注嘅裝修疑慮；每當我見到佢哋因為學會一D新知識又或者我為佢地解答咗疑團嘅嗰種神情，感覺好滿足。特別係佢哋係完成生平第一次繪畫平面圖嘅時候，眼前一個個既驚又興奮，好似返到小學生時期嘅佢哋，真係好可愛。所以不經不覺間，我亦將更多時間投放係教學當中，我諗，係時候份正職要轉兼職啦！

由於呢個計劃，老師全部算係義務性質，所以人工或者講成車馬費更適合。加上我係遊走較偏遠地區，真係＂車馬費＂唔慳得，所以身邊大部份親朋戚友其實唔多支持我此舉.....不過有樣好，就係設計師總係有佢哋嘅＂固執＂哈哈！而佢哋都知我份人，就係咁，2018年應該會遊走於五個地區三個課程當中，享受並重新學習＂為人師表＂呢份＂正職＂，期待！

It began with STAEDTLER

Around half years ago, one of my student gave me ten numbers of these Staedtler Triplus Fineliner, simply because she learned from my lesson about 斷.捨.離 (a method invented by a Japanese of how to organize your stuff and refresh your simple life/mind), which had to be proceed prior to re-design the interior of her house...as a result, they are the "useless stuff" that needed to be cart away from her place.

At the very beginning, I just used them as another writing tool, but one day, I had another idea, how about this....

 I started to draw on some of my aging illustration board, well, it seems it's yellowish tint did match with these too blueish liner; so I drawn another one...

followed by 
another one
and another one...

...finally, I've got a series of landscape, ha ha :D 

They were put aside in my drawer for a while but one day , I had another idea, again...what if I edited these image by Photoshop to become these...

It looked amazing, just added a lit bit of mysterious, which suited our Twilight Zone series in Cocoa Grocery...so, another day, what I thought is...metamorphosis!






 



 Here is what I've finally got as my wish !

Blue Dye Garden floor pillow

 Yes! It was all started by STAEDTLER !






 

Anti gravity!

A beautiful pale yellow butterfly,

enjoying her lunch 

after rain;

"so delicious...la, la, la...

hey, you!

you are in a wrong way! "

Think out of the box,  pal! 

this is the reality :D

 

Urban Beauty

 

 

 

 

Where are you at this moment ?!

  

1995

If you like Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke, these are the must see movies. Before Sunrise was the first one I had watched on T.V. at Pearl 930.... well, years and years ago. Two young strangers met on a train in Europe, they spent a whole after night at Vienna together, sharing hopes, joys, dreams, and love....then returned on train at dawn and aparted to their own destination.

Before Sunset was the second one I had watched on T.V. again late night at year end, right after Before Sunrise, Yes! movie double up :D So the feeling and emotion were even much stronger as the story carried on : Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Celine (Julie Delpy) met after nine years in Paris......so, can you imagine...... 

2004

They were both more mature, having their own business and experience. Once again, they unfolded as much as they could before they had to apart again at dusk.  Life altered after the first met, but love remains.

There was an open ending in this story, whether Jesse could/would capture his plane back to US?  or stayed with Celine?

Another nine years pasted, I had to find out the real face of true romance between Jesse and Celine. This time, I went to the theatre, flied to Greece, learned a lesson before midnight.

2013

Life is amazing, because it is a learning path that everyone has to participate into, no short cut, no forever romance, no unawakened dreams. It mold you to become what you are from teen to mid age. 

Beautiful faces, stunning environment, meaningful dialogue, romancing moment...all you can find in this series of movie. Even though some people may say the last one is far too reality and they are too old which diminish the past romantic atmosphere of the whole film;
this is what we need to walk and grow together with Jesse and Celine, not only in their but our life, too.

I have to leave you now and enjoy my "triple up" !
Au Revoir!

                                               

Ikea Coffee Bean : Surprise !

Everybody knows that I am an IKEA and a Coffee lover, will it be lovely if they are merging?

Each year I will take a visit to see if there are any new products arrive, but unfortunately not many in the coming of 2018 in Hong Kong. Well, truly a little disappointed, so I am going to grab my favor almond pie before leaving, and accidentally discover this!

I am not a super fans of organic product especially in food, my past experience reminds me the "mild" taste of "everything" which are "boring". So I did hesitate a while when I saw this. In addition, because they are not freshly roasted, a certain compromise to aroma is expected.  

This espresso coffee bean is 100% Arabica, UTZ certified.
Produced in Sweden (I doubt whether it is the origin ).
Acidity 3, Body 5, Roasting 5....that's it, not much detail in terms of aroma or after taste...,etc. 
Cost: $46/250g. 
If compare with others, it is obviously very economical. 

To my surprise, the bean size are quite big, even though it looks like an Italian Roast, I will say a City Roast is more appropriate with a slight cinnamon favor is noted. 

Although this kind of ready packed coffee bean can not be compared with the freshly roasted and high quality single origin coffee; it is good enough for a morning coffee with sugar & milk, the overall taste is quite balance. So, give a try and you may love it :P

 
 

意外收獲

上回介紹了由王其鈞博士著作的中國民居，今次再介紹他另外兩本資料更詳盡的圖解詞典; 集合了中、西古今的建築特式及部件解讀. 圖文並茂，更是按着時序編排，所以從頭開始一直看下去，徬彿由古代穿梭到現代一般，非常有趣味性.

如果你有看過上次我介紹的那本中國民居，你便不會驚訝這兩本書內的資料何奇豐富. 如果你留意書內的插畫，亦會發現是來自不同人的手筆，正是作者的學生和他一起努力的成果，當中不少插圖繪畫得極之細緻。

翻看後記，原來部份原稿非常大，只是放到書內縮成約50mm 方的小插圖。全書差不多1000 幅插畫及內文，實在提供了很多寶貴和方便的資料，是兩本很值得珍藏的書籍.

兩本詞典尤以西方建築那本較為我所喜愛，因為當中提到不少古埃及，古羅馬，希臘，哥德式及文藝復興時期的教堂建築，解釋了不少當時常見的建築結構及圖像由來，看完後會對一些聞名已久的建築物：如巴黎聖母院，佛羅倫斯主教堂，古羅馬鬥獸場等等， 有較清楚及深入的理解; 更會懂得欣賞古時工匠的心思和高超手藝.

因此我極力推介，無論你是行內或外人， 這兩本也是值得一看再看的好書，希望你會喜歡！