Remember what Bilbo used to say...

" It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to."





Sunday, February 28, 2010

Taxi guide

This is a wonderful investment! It cost HKD$80.00 = USD $ 10.27

It is a mini book so it can fit in your pocket to a small purse, but not so mini that you can lose it in your pocket. It is translated English to chinese. It is a simplified tourist travel book.

The useful reasons :
- To help give directions to another person
-To help pronounce Chinese roads and buildings

Check out out Photos








- Posted using my thumbs

Saturday, February 27, 2010

Lamms island

No Lammas here- I searched. We will be going back. It was a great place for a day trip. I didn't find out why it is called Lamma island and I need to know. We played on the beach had a couple of drinks a piece of a cheese cake, and the best garlic bread at a place called Concerto Inn (info at the bottom of the page).  
On the way to the Lamma island I saw this huge cargo ship. It made me feel really small and I had to share it.



The beach was called, I think, Hung Shing Yeh Beach.


When we left the ferry we walked upon all these bike and cafe like places. I loved it!! next time I want to eat at one if these places.


Kowloon Sling, I think it was supposed to be like the Singapore sling. I didn't like it. I don't know how to explain it. It wasn't delicious, it was ok. It tasted like fermented citrus fruit, sugar and lots of rum. The after taste was similar to spoiled orange juice with a kick of sweetness. I only had one. I needed a beer to get rid of the taste. Then we had a nice slice of cappuccino cheesecake.
We take our daughter everywhere with us. She has a camera too here is one of her photos

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Seaview Promenade


The Seaside Promenade starts at the North end of Repulse Bay Beach. Early in the Morning it is crowded with joggers, dog walkers, and people fishing. I decided to head down there mid morning when there was less people. I found it a great place to take a walk ,  but watch out for the dog poop! Yeah, there are signs to clean up after the dogs and even designated places for the dogs. Watch where you step!!
Here is what I saw on that day...











   Dog lovers please clean-up after your dogs!


Friday, February 19, 2010

Our Kitties

I don't have a lot to say. I must be sick or something. Truth be told I am busy.
Since I don't post many photos of my family, friends or myself I figure you could meet my cats.
A cat has nine lives. For three he plays, for three he strays, and for the last three he stays. - English Proverb

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Year of the Tiger?

“Better to live one year as a tiger, than a hundred as a sheep.”~Madonna
 or
"The tigers of wrath are wiser than the horses of instruction." ~William Blake

This photo was taken in July 2009 by the Rambling Gypsy in Japan, at Tama Zoo.

    What does it mean "Year of the Tiger?I am pretty ignorant about Chinese New Year, so I did some research. I figure I would post what I found. Why, you ask; purpose and the need to feel like I didn’t waste my time for no good reason.

   This is what I found out. Most of this is not my words so I will cite everything I find. It might be a little annoying to read it that way. HEY, I didn't write it and the people who did need the credit. I believe in giving credit not taking it away from people.
Information gathered from the website:


C h i n a  t h e  B e a u t i f u l < http://www.chinapage.com/china.html  >

2010 is the Year of the Tiger; this is also known by its formal name of Geng Yin.

Where you born during a Year of the Tiger?

You were born in one of these years: 1902, 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, and 1998.

“According to the Chinese Zodiac, the Year of 2010 is the Year of the Tiger, which commences on February 14, 2010 and ends on February 2, 2011. The Tiger is the third sign in the Chinese Zodiac cycle, and it is a sign of bravery. This courageous and fiery fighter is admired by the ancient Chinese as the sign that keeps away the three main tragedies of a household. These are fire, thieves and ghosts.” http://www.yearofthetiger.net/

So what are characteristics of the Tiger? ( info taken from http://www.chiff.com/a/chinese-horoscopes.htm )
 
"Like the lion in Western culture, the Tiger is the proverbial King of the Jungle, and admired for its vivid stripes that symbolize the balanced forces of `yin' and `yang'."
  "One of the most dynamic signs in the zodiac, Tigers are truly a force of nature. They are by turns dependable, unpredictable, fearless and stout-hearted, tender and loving. For all the world appearing at times to be quiet homebodies, Tigers may just as suddenly change course, and pack up to travel to some far-flung exotic destination." "As a result, they may sometimes be perceived as irresponsible. This is because few other signs can keep up with the Tiger's ability to think on their feet, or their primal desire for adventure and first-hand experience of life."
If you want to read more about the characteristics of the Tiger visit the website : http://www.chiff.com/a/chinese-horoscopes.htm

( info taken from  http://www.chinesefortunecalendar.com/2010/2010Tiger.htm )
 
Money: Money luck is unfavorable to Tiger people in 2010. Money is always connected with job and friends. As long as you can keep your job, then you should have a stable income. You have to say no to a loan to a friend, an endorsement to a friend, a loan-cosigning for friend, or any risky investment suggested from friend to prevent money loss. In general, Tiger people should budget their expense and adjust their financial plan in 2010.



Love: There is no love sign for man in the Tiger year. When a Tiger meets another Tiger, then the love competition will increase. Because of no significant love or romantic sign in 2010, then the chance to meet a woman you like will be much lesser. Even you have a girl friend now, you won't move into a closer love relationship. If you are a female, then you have a chance to meet the opposite sex. But it's same that there is a love competition in 2010. Or your boy friend feels trouble from your other friends or relatives. In short, if you have a love relationship, then you need to maintain the relationship. If you are single, then you need the patience to wait for the right one.



Health: Tiger people don't have a good sign in their career luck and money luck. That implies they have to spend extra time, energy and brain power to take care of daily activities. Their health will be impacted more or less. You just have to learn how to find time to take a break to relax yourself. If you were a sick Tiger in 2009, then it will take time to recover back to your healthy body in 2010. Enough time to sleep, proper time to exercise, and good amount of food for eating are very important for Tiger people in 2010.

Fortune: The major event in 2010 for man is the career. The major issue for woman is career or boyfriend or spouse. This not only brings the trouble and pressure to Tiger people, but it could expand to a poor relationship with friends, siblings or coworkers. The worst case will become financial crisis. It sounds that Tiger year won't bring any good luck for Tiger people.
 
 
Ok...after all this and there is more you would think I was born the year of the Tiger. Nope, I was born the year of the Dragon. I will write more about that later. Right now I have to put an end to my writing, because my cat is chewing on a wire behind my desk.

Monday, February 15, 2010

The Year of the Tiger : Gung Hay Fat Choy!

Gung Hay Fat Choy!


This was our first Chinese new year. We got the opportunity to go to a roof for a clear view. We paid the price it was very cold and wet, but once the fireworks started we forgot about everything.

I am only going to post a few photos here. If you want to see more photos please head over to "View Flickr Photostream" on the right side of my blog.

 
 
The fireworks were spectacular!!
Here are a few quotes about Chinese New year:
 
“For most of us, it's a time for us to get together and talk about our past, present and future. The Chinese New Year is the most important holiday in China. It's very much like Christmas or Thanksgiving in the United States.”~Feng Niu
 
“Every year, we receive thousands of scholars and experts from abroad, but it is only in recent years that the Chinese have began to appreciate New Year pictures.” ~ Guo Shurong

“Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better man.” ~Benjamin Franklin quotes

Lion Dance

We were getting ready to leave our house when we heard drums pounding outside. We look off our Balcony and what do our eyes see....








Sunday, February 14, 2010

Kwun Yam Shrine and the "Longevity Bridge"

This is not too far from  our house. I recommend visiting here during the week (Tuesday,Wednesday, Thursday). Why? The tour groups from mainland China can overwhelm the area and you can miss the beauty of the temple.
  The Longevity Bridge legend it is said that anyone who crosses it will add 3 days to his life.
Wonderful display of deities and figures from Chinese mythology...






The Shrine and the Bridge is at the southern end Repulse Bay beach.
“When you realize how perfect everything is you will tilt your head back and laugh at the sky” ~ Buddha


This statue is only as big as my head, but when I bent down to fix my shoe I saw a different perspective. I had to take a photo and share it. If I hadn’t gotten sand in my shoe I would not have taken a photo of this statue. Why, because it didn’t interest me.

It was a small statue like so many of the others around. Here is weird thing I could only take a photo of this statue; the other statues were done in such a way that it didn’t give the same effect. Maybe the person(s) did this on purpose.
"All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make our world."~Buddha

Monday, February 08, 2010

Our sleeping cat

I don't have much to say today so her are two photos of my our cat Dim Dim sleeping. He is so cute
"Cats can work out mathematically the exact place to sit that will cause most inconvenience." ~Pam Brown