Life is beautiful

P.U.S.H.

2009-01-25T12:44:00.002+08:00

有一個晚上，一男子在自己的睡房裡睡覺，整個房間突破被光充滿，主耶穌顯現在他面前。

主耶穌對這個男子說要交付他作一件事，然後在男子的房間外面出現了一塊巨大的石。

主耶穌要求這男子盡力去推這石塊。如是者，這男子一天一天的去做。過了幾年，每天從日出至日落，他用肩膀推著那表面寒冷、粗糙而且永都推不動的石塊。每晚，這男子極其疲累的回到房間，卻覺得自己的努力是徒然的。

隨著心中的失望，敵人也悄悄對他軟弱的意志說：「你一直努力的推那石塊，但它何曾動過？為什麼要這樣折磨自己？你一生也不會推得動它了。」

就這樣，這男子更認為主耶穌所托付他的是絕不可能做到，同時亦認為自己失敗了。

這些想法令這男子很沮喪。「為什麼我要如此折磨自己？」他想，「倒不如我只付出少少時間，少少力量便夠了。」

他這樣計劃著，直至有一天，他將這事禱告主:「主啊！我一直按你的要求用盡我力、勞苦的事奉你，但到了今天，我還是從未將這石塊推動一點點。究竟問題出自那裡？我為什麼會失敗？」

主耶穌恩慈的回應說：「我親愛的兒子，我要求你盡力量去推這石塊，而你也做到了。我可曾要求你把它推動呢？你的工作只是要推它，但你現在到我面前，竟很疲乏的說你失敗？可是，真的失敗嗎？看吧，你的一雙手臂鍛鍊得很強壯，你直挺的背也曬得黑黑的，你的手掌因一直受壓而變得厚了，你的腿壯健了。因這些衝擊你成長了不少，而能力超越以前。你並沒有把石塊推得動，你只被蒙召去順服，鍛鍊你對我智慧的信心便夠了。這些都是你做到的，而現在，朋友啊，是我來把石塊推動的時候了。」

當我們聽到上帝的話語後，總會用自己的智慧去猜度上帝想要什麼，其實上帝只要我們單單服從及信靠。

是說，我們要去鍛鍊可以挪移大山的信心，但仍知道當情況轉差時，只需去「推」(p.u.s.h.)；當工作令我們疲累時，只需去「推」(P.U.S.H.)；

當別人的反應是出乎意料之外時，只需去「推」(P.U.S.H.)；

當錢差不多用光而賬單快到期時，只需去「推」(P.U.S.H.)；

當別人不明白你時，只需去「推」(P.U.S.H.)；推！P.U.S.H.!

P.U.S.H.= (Pray Until Something Happens!)

"應當一無掛慮，只要凡事藉著禱告、祈求、和感謝，將你們所要的告訴神。 (腓立比書4:6)"

Artjamming

2008-12-15T21:07:00.000+08:00

Karen的處女作 (很抽象噢！)

我的處女作

Obama's Victory Speech

2008-11-07T13:44:00.002+08:00

CHANGE HAS COME

Hello, Chicago.

If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.

It's the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen; by people who waited three hours and four hours, many for the very first time in their lives, because they believed that this time must be different; that their voices could be that difference.

It's the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled - Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been just a collection of individuals or a collection of Red States and Blue States: we are, and always will be, the United States of America.

It's the answer that led those who have been told for so long by so many to be cynical, and fearful, and doubtful of what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day.

It's been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America.

PARTNERS IN THE JOURNEY

A little bit earlier this evening I received an extraordinarily gracious call from Senator McCain. He fought long and hard in this campaign, and he's fought even longer and harder for the country he loves. He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine. We are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader.

I congratulate him, I congratulate Governor Palin, for all they have achieved, and I look forward to working with them to renew this nation's promise in the months ahead.

I want to thank my partner in this journey, a man who campaigned from his heart and spoke for the men and women he grew up with on the streets of Scranton and rode with on that train home to Delaware, the vice-president-elect of the United States, Joe Biden.

And I would not be standing here tonight without the unyielding support of my best friend for the last 16 years, the rock of our family, the love of my life, the nation's next first lady, Michelle Obama. Sasha and Malia, I love you both more than you can imagine, and you have earned the new puppy that's coming with us to the White House.

And while she's no longer with us, I know my grandmother is watching, along with the family that made me who I am. I miss them tonight, and know that my debt to them is beyond measure. To my sister Maya, my sister Auma, all my other brothers and sisters - thank you so much for all the support you have given me. I am grateful to them.

To my campaign manager David Plouffe, the unsung hero of this campaign, who built the best political campaign in the history of the United States of America. My chief strategist David Axelrod, who has been a partner with me every step of the way, and to the best campaign team ever assembled in the history of politics - you made this happen, and I am forever grateful for what you've sacrificed to get it done.

VICTORY FOR THE PEOPLE

But above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to - it belongs to you.

I was never the likeliest candidate for this office. We didn't start with much money or many endorsements. Our campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington - it began in the backyards of Des Moines and the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston.

It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give $5 and $10 and $20 to the cause.

It grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generation's apathy; who left their homes and their families for jobs that offered little pay and less sleep; it grew strength from the not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on the doors of perfect strangers; from the millions of Americans who volunteered, and organised, and proved that more than two centuries later, a government of the people, by the people and for the people has not perished from the Earth.

This is your victory.

THE TASK AHEAD

I know you didn't do this just to win an election and I know you didn't do it for me. You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead. For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime - two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century.

Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their lives for us.

There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after their children fall asleep and wonder how they'll make the mortgage, or pay their doctor's bills, or save enough for their child's college education. There is new energy to harness and new jobs to be created; new schools to build and threats to meet and alliances to repair.

REMAKING THE NATION

The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even in one term, but America - I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you - we as a people will get there.

There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who won't agree with every decision or policy I make as president, and we know that government can't solve every problem. But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree.

And above all, I will ask you to join in the work of remaking this nation the only way it's been done in America for 221 years - block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.

ONE NATION, ONE PEOPLE

What began 21 months ago in the depths of winter cannot end on this autumn night. This victory alone is not the change we seek - it is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were. It cannot happen without you, without a new spirit of service, a new spirit of sacrifice.

So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism; of service and responsibility where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves, but each other. Let us remember that if this financial crisis taught us anything, it's that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers - in this country, we rise or fall as one nation; as one people.

Let us resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long. Let us remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House - a party founded on the values of self-reliance, individual liberty, and national unity.

Those are values that we all share, and while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress. As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours: "We are not enemies, but friends… though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection."

And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn - I may not have won your vote tonight, but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your president too.

AMERICA IN THE WORLD

And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of the world - our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand.

To those who would tear the world down - we will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security - we support you.

And to all those who have wondered if America's beacon still burns as bright - tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity and unyielding hope.

For that is the true genius of America - that America can change. Our union can be perfected. And what we have already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.

A HISTORY OF STRUGGLE

This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations. But one that's on my mind tonight is about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta. She's a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election except for one thing - Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old.

She was born just a generation past slavery; a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky; when someone like her couldn't vote for two reasons - because she was a woman and because of the colour of her skin.

And tonight, I think about all that she's seen throughout her century in America - the heartache and the hope; the struggle and the progress; the times we were told that we can't, and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes, we can.

At a time when women's voices were silenced and their hopes dismissed, she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot. Yes, we can.

When there was despair in the dust bowl and depression across the land, she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New Deal, new jobs and a new sense of common purpose. Yes, we can.

When the bombs fell on our harbour and tyranny threatened the world, she was there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was saved. Yes, we can.

She was there for the buses in Montgomery, the hoses in Birmingham, a bridge in Selma, and a preacher from Atlanta who told a people that "we shall overcome". Yes, we can.

A man touched down on the Moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and imagination. And this year, in this election, she touched her finger to a screen, and cast her vote, because after 106 years in America, through the best of times and the darkest of hours, she knows how America can change. Yes, we can.

THIS IS OUR MOMENT

America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so much more to do. So tonight, let us ask ourselves - if our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made?

This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment.

This is our time - to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth - that out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism and doubt, and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: yes, we can.

Thank you, God bless you, and may God bless the United States of America.

勁歌推介 ----- 熊日（你黑芹）

2008-11-01T01:36:00.000+08:00

大戶就似披了羊皮
大戶造市真太離奇
大戶就似恐嚇著你做人沒趣味
在營造Deep V 隔一天沽你
到最後資金再運回賤美

摩根、Goldman、Citi、德銀那個信得過?
徬徨時我有蟹貨獨坐一角像是沒協助
在某年那四叔講過
記得要追call 追call 落力在春天買貨

一生之中高峰股災我也要走過
從何時跌市有你四叔跟我地獄內唱和
像熊日之歌老散都知錯
結伴行股災也定能踏過

讓晚風吹雞蛋殼
伴送著清香一束站在IFC祭我
望佢升偏偏估錯
個股市每到高處回落...Fall
快要輸死我 woo woo

末日就似即將來臨
末日令我輸光頭痕
絕望大市使我面對未來沒信任
別流淚心酸四叔輸得甘過你
佢定能一生蟹著陪伴你

人面全非

2008-10-29T12:52:00.001+08:00

短短數月，樓價、物價、商品價、基金價、金股滙價人面全非，不經不覺間一切都變得很陌生....

天變地變，人也在變，昨天今天，滄海桑田。

是世界、人心變得太快，還是我反應遲鈍、後知後覺？

此時此刻，我需要正能量！

Are you kidding, HIGOS?

2008-10-02T21:03:00.000+08:00

A Journey is not a trip ...

2008-10-02T14:01:00.001+08:00

It’s not a vacation.

It’s a process. A discovery ..

It’s a process of Self-discovery.

A Journey brings us face to face with ourselves.

A journey shows us not only the world, but how we fit in it.

Does the person creates the journey, or does the journey create the person?

The journey is life itself.

Where will life take you?

But what I only want to know is when I can have my next journey????

烏鱀白鱀

2008-09-27T20:14:00.002+08:00

According to wikipedia, the adult dolphin is usually white or grey in colour but the population along the Chinese coast is unique in that they exhibit a pink-coloured skin.

執尾會

2008-09-23T20:21:00.002+08:00

短短四個月，小小田縱然經歷了兩次黑雨、三次八號風及一次九號風，但總算沒令田主失望，相繼出產了莧菜、通菜、青瓜、西瓜和向日葵，還趕及在收田前生了多條茄瓜，真使人喜出望外，相信小小田的回報一定比畢菲特同期的投資組合為高，看來我退休後可從事務農！呵呵！

美味的煎釀有機茄子

Christian The Lion

2008-08-20T22:53:00.000+08:00

疑似西瓜終極揭盅

2008-08-17T22:22:00.001+08:00

三八二十三

2008-08-11T13:24:00.004+08:00

顏回愛學習，德性又好，是孔子的得意門生。

一天，顏回去街上辦事，見一家布店前圍滿了人。他上前一問，才知道是買布的跟賣布的發生了糾紛。

只聽買布的大嚷大叫：「三八就是二十三，你為啥要我二十四個錢？」

顏回走到買布的跟前，施一禮說：「這位大哥，三八是二十四，怎麼會是二十三呢？是你算錯了，不要吵啦。」

買布的仍不服氣，指著顏回的鼻子說：誰請你出來評理的？你算老幾？要評理只有找孔夫子，錯與不錯只有他說了算！走，咱找他評理去！

顏回說：「好。孔夫子若評你錯了怎麼辦？」

買布的說：「評我錯了輸上我的頭。你錯了呢？」

顏回說：「評我錯了輸上我的冠。」

二人打著賭，找到了孔子。

孔子問明了情況，對顏回笑笑說：「三八就是二十三哪！顏回，你輸啦，把冠取下來給人家吧！」

顏回從來不跟老師鬥嘴。他聽孔子評他錯了，就老老實實摘下帽子，交給了買布的。

那人接過帽子，得意地走了。

對孔子的評判，顏回表面上絕對服從，心裡卻想不通。他認為孔子已老糊塗，便不想再跟孔子學習了。

第二天，顏回就藉故說家中有事，要請假回去。

孔子明白顏回的心事，也不挑破，點頭准了他的假。

顏回臨行前，去跟孔子告別。

孔子要他辦完事即返回，並囑咐他兩句話：「千年古樹莫存身，殺人不明勿動手。」

顏回應聲「記住了」，便動身往家走。路上，突然風起雲湧，雷鳴電閃，眼看要下大雨。

顏回鑽進路邊一棵大樹的空樹幹裡，想避避雨。他猛然記起孔子「千年古樹莫存身」的話，心想，師徒一場，再聽他一次話吧，從空樹幹離開。他剛離開不遠，一個炸雷，把那棵古樹劈個粉碎。

顏回大吃一驚：老師的第一句話應驗啦！難道我還會殺人嗎？

顏回趕到家，已是深夜。他不想驚動家人，就用隨身佩帶的寶劍，撥開了妻子住室的門栓。

顏回到床前一摸，啊呀呀，南頭睡個人，北頭睡個人！他怒從心頭起，舉劍正要砍，又想起孔子的第二句話「殺人不明勿動手」。

他點燈一看，床上一頭睡的是妻子，一頭睡的是妹妹 ?
天明，顏回又返了回去，見了孔子便跪下說：「老師，您那兩句話，救了我、我妻和我妹妹三個人哪！您事前怎麼會知道要發生的事呢？」

孔子把顏回扶起來說：「昨天天氣燥熱，估計會有雷雨，因而就提醒你『千年古樹莫存身』。你又是帶著氣走的，身上還佩帶著寶劍，因而我告誡你『殺人不明勿動手』。

顏回打躬說：「老師料事如神，學生十分敬佩！」

孔子又開導顏回說：「我知道你請假回家是假的，實則以為我老糊塗了，不願再跟我學習。你想想：我說三八二十三是對的，你輸了，不過輸個冠﹔我若說三八二十四是對的，他輸了，那可是一條人命啊！你說冠重要還是人命重要？」

顏回恍然大悟，「噗通」跪在孔子面前，說：「老師重大義而輕小是小非，學生還以為老師因年高而欠清醒呢。學生慚愧萬分！」

從這以後，孔子無論去到哪裡，顏回再沒離開過他。

有『營』早餐

2008-08-09T15:17:00.006+08:00

懶人如我，攪拌機實是一樣偉大發明。每年體檢，營養師總提醒要多吃生果，每天最少兩份，但往往因太夜吃晚飯而忘掉了，浪費了不少生果。

最近因自製海帶水作有機肥料而買了攪拌機，想到了以生果Smoothies作早餐的念頭，簡直一次過滿足了我三個願望---- 美味、健康、方便！ I'm lovin' it!

基本材料如下：

1. 任何生果兩份 (如想幼滑些，可加入香蕉、木瓜或芒果，想有些質感，可選擇火龍果、奇異果、士多啤梨等)
2. 鮮奶、酸奶酪 (怕肥可用脫脂奶、無糖豆槳或益力多代替，也可加入果汁)
3. 燕麥或其他各式cereal

把所有材料放進攪拌機攪拌，不消一分鐘就完成了，簡直是『營』人之選！

有機大豐收

2008-08-02T22:00:00.000+08:00

暴雨後的驕陽

2008-08-02T21:47:00.001+08:00

疑似西瓜三部曲

2008-08-02T21:35:00.000+08:00

疑似西瓜初現

一日一日長大
越來越唔似西瓜

有冇人知佢係乜嘢品種？

Natural Hedge

2008-07-19T23:48:00.000+08:00

菜貴? 冇乜問題!

自家種植有機農作物，低風險，回報仲高過農產品基金！

注：農作物收成可升可跌，以上資料由小小田提供。

飽歴風雨的小小田

2008-07-12T23:43:00.000+08:00

5.12四川地震新聞背後圖片展

2008-06-13T17:43:00.001+08:00

6月12至15日 @觀塘apm

我的小小田 --- 終於開田了！

2008-05-26T20:06:00.001+08:00

康生不在港，幸好有兩位妹妹幫手，很快就把田翻好了！

我的小小田 --- 偷步入市

2008-05-26T19:58:00.003+08:00

休田期間，悶極兼技癢，於是偷步入市，以期加速收成。

種子(播種日):

1. 燈籠椒 (4 May 2008)

2. 西瓜 (10 May 2008)

3. 車厘茄 (10 May 2008)

4. 茄子 (10 May 2008)

5. 青瓜 (18 May 2008)

6. 向日葵 (18 May 2008)

7. 青通菜 (25 May 2008)

8. 白通菜 (25 May 2008)

9. 莧菜 (25 May 2008)

In Memory of Grandpa

2008-05-19T23:53:00.001+08:00

Kung Kung, may you rest in peace!

兒歌 - 青蛙媽媽

2008-04-29T20:48:00.002+08:00

原來兒歌都可歷久常新，以下的兒歌是我幼稚園時其中的一首飲歌(廣東版)，最近發現細我三十年的Jasmine妹妹都識唱，仲要是國語版，現特別點這廣東版給Jasmine妹妹聽，留意歌詞 .. :p

Randy Pausch Lecture: Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams

2008-04-28T21:53:00.000+08:00

Model 先決

2008-04-27T16:15:00.000+08:00

無論用甚麽鏡頭，光圈先決還是快門先決，最重要看來還是Model先決..

有種喇！！

2008-04-27T16:09:00.001+08:00

各位親友、街坊請注意：

已有親友替我找到西瓜種子了，不用再找了！可以食冇核西瓜喇！謝謝！

做人别太CNN

2008-04-16T22:28:00.002+08:00

CNN insisted yesterday that a comment by pundit Jack Cafferty saying the Chinese were "a bunch of goons and thugs" was targeted at the government, not the Chinese people, and apologised to anybody who thought otherwise.

"It was not Mr Cafferty's nor CNN's intent to cause offence to the Chinese people, and [CNN] would apologise to anyone who has interpreted the comments in this way," said the broadcaster, which is based in Atlanta, in the US state of Georgia.

It said Cafferty was offering his "strongly held" opinion of the central government, not the nation's people, and that he had clarified the point on Monday. The network noted that "over many years, Jack Cafferty has expressed critical comments on many governments, including the US government and its leaders".

Cafferty's remarks on April 9 that Chinese products were "junk" and that the Chinese were "a bunch of goons and thugs" prompted the Foreign Ministry on Tuesday to issue a strong condemnation and demand an apology.

Apart from televising Cafferty's inflammatory comments, CNN has come under fire on the mainland for broadcasting a photograph that cropped out Tibetans throwing stones at a military vehicle.

The fury even prompted singer Mu Rongxuan to write and perform a song called As a Human Being, Don't Be Too CNN. The song has attracted more than 100,000 downloads since it was released online on Monday. The song's lyrics say "CNN vows solemnly that all truth is shown ... but I gradually discovered that it turned out to be a deception".

The song also put the cropped picture in the same category as the fake tiger photo created by a Shaanxi farmer, which triggered nationwide uproar last year.

More than 3,000 internet surfers showed their strong support for the song by posting comments on electronic bulletin boards.

Many suggested translating the song into other languages, including English and French, and broadcasting it around the world to express their indignation over CNN's alleged "manipulation".

Other messages included: "Distortion of fact, shame on CNN", "Good song, down with CNN".

Some online postings said CNN stood for "Chinese Negative News".

Source: SCMP

我的小小田 ----- 紅光初現

2008-04-14T22:13:00.000+08:00

我的小小田 ----- 菇菇再現

2008-04-14T22:10:00.000+08:00

自拍十式

2008-04-13T00:58:00.001+08:00

方卓如

2008-04-13T00:15:00.001+08:00

真相大白，雖然很失望，但作為方卓如的粉絲，還是急不及待的買了他的書，如果方生(不！是龔生)真的出選立法會，我會考慮把神聖的一票投給他！哈哈！

Growing Tips

2008-04-11T22:27:00.000+08:00

How to grow eggplant?

Cucumber Growing Tips

How to grow watermelon?

How to grow bell pepper?

西瓜種子

2008-04-05T10:28:00.002+08:00

各位親朋好友、街坊：

由於小妹遍尋不獲西瓜種子、有核西瓜，如有機會吃到又甜、又多汁又有核的西瓜，請留種子﹝即西瓜核﹞給我。謝謝！

Revised Layout (Version 3)

2008-04-04T18:25:00.000+08:00

Hi Johanna, any more comment?

Proposed Layout for my tiny garden

2008-04-02T18:18:00.000+08:00

Johanna, any comment on the revised layout???

我的小小田 ---- 野生靈芝?

2008-04-01T22:15:00.001+08:00

野生靈芝? 發達喇！

我的小小田 --- 蕃茄尚未成熟時

2008-03-30T22:30:00.000+08:00

我的小小田 ---- 有瓜堪折直須折

2008-03-30T22:23:00.001+08:00

莫待無瓜空折枝

悠遊高雄

2008-03-29T21:27:00.000+08:00

真幸運！適逢高雄捷運剛通車，乘客可免費任搭。

港鐵也應學習高雄捷運增設夜間婦女候車區
夢時代摩天
七十四樓危危下望

高雄港

六合夜市

台南特產 ---- 又貴又難吃的烏魚子

夜遊愛河

台式Latte????

2008-03-29T21:11:00.001+08:00

在高雄機場等候上機的時候，叫了一客薑汁撞奶，卻送來了一杯疑似『Latte』的物體，以為弄錯，怎料女侍應耐心地解釋這杯薑汁撞奶是由半杯薑汁、半杯鮮奶再加泡沫弄成，具驅寒、美容之效云云！哈哈！看來我當了一頭自願被吃的豬了！

牧場旅棧@墾丁

2008-03-29T17:10:00.005+08:00

這次高雄墾丁之旅來去匆匆，由籌備至出發不足一星期，田友Johanna極力推介下，决定在墾丁下榻民宿，在網上亂打亂撞下選擇了這間牧場旅棧，旅棧每一角落都畫滿了主人夫婦所親手繪畫的插畫，當中以造型可愛的乳牛為主打。

我選擇了龜龜雙人房，有如置身童話中。

牧棧鄰近墾丁國家公園，值得一去。

民宿老板非常友善，當我們從高雄坐包車抵達旅棧後，便向我們介紹墾丁的景點，由於旅客還未退房，他便建議我們先到國家公園逛逛，回來才替我們租單車，逛了兩個多小時，回到旅棧，正想換一些輕便點的衣服再去踏單車，怎料，不小心弄齗了行李箱的鑰匙，真是晴天霹靂！連忙找老板求救，老板不慌不忙拿了不少工具給我們開箱，我們看着行李箱不知從何入手，心想若把箱子弄破，後果可能更嚴重，於是，就問老板墾丁附近有否行李箱或袋賣，老板卻建議我們回高雄才買，並可暫借旅行袋給我們，心想這方案也不行，便問附近有否開鎖舖接回斷了的鑰匙，老板便說倒不如他駕車送我們到恆春鎮，看看那裏的開鎖師傅能否替我們打開箱子。

等待期間，老板還駕車帶我們在恆春鎮遊覽，下圖是南門。

回到開鎖店時，師傅已弄開了行李箱，還替我們配了一條新鑰匙，非常專業！我們這回真是出路遇貴人了！

回程時，老板還駕車載我們到南灣逛逛！

很多弄潮兒在南灣滑浪

這民宿之所以叫牧場，因其身處墾丁牧場附近。

白色的牛牛

離旅棧不遠的墾丁大街，餐廳、商店林立，十分熱鬧！

周末還有很多不同的攤位遊戲供遊人耍樂。

我在墾丁*天氣晴

2008-03-22T15:57:00.001+08:00

台灣人大都懂開機車，我不懂，好不容易在墾丁大街找到一小店租了部殘殘的單車，開始了我們墾丁單車之旅。 (攝於大尖山下)

船帆石

一對情侶在自拍

殘殘的單車@香蕉灣

美麗的砂島

鵝鑾鼻的一頭鵝？？？

國境之南、太陽之西 --- 鵝鑾鼻燈塔

『長九』之爭

2008-03-22T08:59:00.000+08:00

攝於高雄市，『長九』之爭鬥到愛河上

攝於車上，墾丁往高雄途中，看來香港有些地方比較落後

攝於墾丁，踏單車途中

我的小小田之爽甜翠玉瓜

2008-03-10T20:50:00.002+08:00

終於雌花開花了！

可惜沒有雄花，唯有用棉花棒採鄰田的雄花蜜作人工繁殖..

神蹟再現，很肥美的一條翠玉瓜啊！

Blog主是夜的晚餐 ---- 有機翠玉瓜雲耳炒牛肉

Larry's Rules for Business Success

2008-03-05T18:00:00.000+08:00

我的小小田 --- 新的開始

2008-03-02T16:27:00.000+08:00

春回大地，我和康先生在新的一年都要面對新挑戰、新環境、新同事、新的工作性質，真刺激！好！就讓我們像小小田般一切從新開始，今次除重點培植翠玉瓜及車厘茄外，還加入新成員：青通菜、白通菜和菠菜；不過只剩下我獨個兒努力了！

又長了兩條翠玉瓜！哈哈！

Chanel Mobile Art

2008-03-01T16:19:00.000+08:00

原來要預先買入場劵, 才可入場參觀！

My Tiny Garden - Planning for Next Season

2008-02-29T13:38:00.001+08:00

Johanna, any comment to the layout?

很天真, 很傻?

2008-02-27T19:39:00.001+08:00

最近作了一個别人認為是匪夷所思的決定，就是放棄了一份薪優糧準、假期多、無壓力的工作，轉投一份工作量多十倍、假期少、人工就更不要提了....

朋友們都為着那超五星級的酒店優惠勸我三思，反覆思量，還是決定接受這挑戰。　在薪優糧準與工作滿足感之間，選擇了後者，希望我的決定不是太天真, 太傻吧!

除了那三十天有薪假期外, 最捨不得是一班可愛的同事和在中環工作的『飯腳』, 當了十多年的中區“厲”人, 面對將要在港島東“厲”人日子, 實在是一個頗大的考驗！　

朋友們，若想在我離開舊舖前再享受超五星級的酒店優惠，快點跟我報名喇！數量有限，額滿即止！

我的小小田之童貞翠玉瓜

2008-02-24T17:21:00.002+08:00

原來不只香港女多男少，在植物界，『女多男少』的現象也時有發生，像我棵翠玉瓜，竟連開三朶雌花，也來不及開一朵雄花，據專業田友Johanna告知，若雌花無緣遇上雄花，雌花後的翠玉瓜就不能再長大，不久就會掉下來，所以我這三顆『童貞翠玉瓜』竟能長得這麽大，簡直是恩典，我看應是『神蹟』! Alleluia!!

終於有雄花出現！

不知這朵雌花能否遇上心上花呢？希望有情花終成眷屬！

我的小小田之一分耕耘一分收獲

2008-02-16T17:27:00.001+08:00

Time to have hotpot!!

疑似『CJ8』

2008-02-14T21:25:00.003+08:00

近日舊天星碼頭停車場上，出現一隻疑似『長江八號』的不明不飛行物體。

欲知詳情，請點擊 http://www.chanel-mobileart.com/

How to prune tomatoes?

2008-02-04T00:02:00.000+08:00

How To Prune Tomatoes

When growing tomatoes, you want to get the maximum yield of crops, with the best flavour you can. Pruning your plants to remove unwanted shoots and leaves is an essential part of this. Tom Cole shows us how.

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Step 1: When to de-shoot
The aim when growing a tomato plant is to have a single stem. Wait until four or five fruit bearing trusses have grown from the stem, then pinch out any additional side shoots, leaving the plant's top shoot, known as the terminal shoot.
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Step 2: Pinching out
Grab a growing tip by the base between the thumb and forefinger, and bend it back and forth until it snaps cleanly. This should ideally be done when the shoot is young and supple. This should ensure that the majority of the nutrients are sent to the fruits, instead of being wasted on the unwanted growing tips. Avoid cutting with a blade as the wound can become easily infected, although this may be easier on older, tougher shoots.
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Step 3: Removing leaves
As the plant begins to mature, the lower leaves will naturally begin to yellow and wilt. This is perfectly normal, so pull these from the plant when they appear. It will keep the plant fresh, looking good, and help ward of disease.
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Step 4: Topping
To get the best out of the last growth of the season, it is necessary to "top" the plant. About a month before the first expected frost, or when the plant hits the roof of your greenhouse, remove the plants terminal shoot. At this point in the season, the tomatoes currently growing will have a limited time to reach maturity, so all nutrients must be directed straight to the fruit.

週末懷舊篇 - Popeye

2008-02-03T00:49:00.000+08:00

Applying Modern Risk Management to Organic Gardening

2008-01-28T21:18:00.000+08:00

Managing a tiny garden is like managing your investment portfolio. You need initial capital, thorough planning, knowledge about the external environment, proper asset allocation, regular maintenance, great care, risk management skills as well as good timing for harvesting.

Like investing, gardening is all about regular maintenance. You not only need to do research to decide what plants (investment) to grow (invest), but should keep a close eye on weather condition (news) that could affect their growth (value). If growth (stock performance) does start to slip, you must be prepared to make changes to cut loss.

Similar to investments, different plants have different life cycles. Some plants are more susceptible to insects while some are more susceptible to adverse weather. Life is full of risks. Proper allocation helps diversifying the risks.

Even with a garden as tiny as mine, avoid putting all the eggs into one basket. Instead, try growing companion plants. Companion planting is based on the idea that certain plants can benefit others when planted next to, or close to one another. It may benefit certain plants by giving them pest control, naturally without the need to use chemicals, and in some cases they can give a higher crop yield. This website summarizes a list of natural companion plants.

That said, unlike investing, growing risky plants usually do not result in good return, especially for an amateur gardener like me. So, avoid growing high-risk plants which are susceptible to diseases, insects or adverse weather.

Gardening is a lot like portfolio management. Both require patience, discipline, and faith.

Wish all of you have a good harvest, be it investing or gardening! :p

跳 - 朱德庸漫畫集

2008-01-27T00:26:00.000+08:00

跳樓後生命意義的重審 - 朱德庸漫畫集

我的小小田之『翠玉花？』

2008-01-27T00:01:00.000+08:00

我的翠玉瓜終於出花了！

Discover the 90/10 Principle by Stephen Covey

2008-01-17T21:38:00.000+08:00

It will change your life (at least the way you react to situations).

What is this principle?

10% of life is made up of what happens to you. 90% of life is decided by how you react.

What does this mean?

We really have no control over 10% of what happens to us. We cannot stop the car from breaking down. The plane will be late arriving, which throws our whole schedule off. A driver may cut us off in traffic.

We have no control over this 10%. The other 90% is different. You determine the other 90%.

How?

By your reaction.

You cannot control a red light. But you can control your reaction. Don't let people fool you; YOU can control how you react.

Let's use an example.

You are eating breakfast with your family. Your daughter knocks over a cup of coffee onto your business shirt. You have no control over what just happened.

What happens next will be determined by how you react.

You curse.

You harshly scold your daughter for knocking the cup over. She breaks down in tears. After scolding her, you turn to your spouse and criticize her for placing the cup too close to the edge of the table. A short verbal battle follows. You storm upstairs and change your shirt. Back downstairs, you find your daughter has been too busy crying to finish breakfast and get ready for school. She misses the bus.

Your spouse must leave immediately for work. You rush to the car and drive your daughter to school. Because you are late, you drive 40 miles an hour in a 30 mph speed limit. After a 15-minute delay and throwing $60 traffic fine away, you arrive at school. Your daughter runs into the building without saying goodbye. After arriving at the office 20 minutes late, you find you forgot your briefcase. Your day has started terrible. As it continues, it seems to get worse and worse. You look forward to coming home.

When you arrive home, you find small wedge in your relationship with your spouse and daughter.

Why?

Because of how you reacted in the morning.

Why did you have a bad day?

A) Did the coffee cause it?
B) Did your daughter cause it?
C) Did the policeman cause it?
D) Did you cause it?

The answer is “D".

You had no control over what happened with the coffee. How you reacted in those 5 seconds is what caused your bad day.

Here is what could have and should have happened.

Coffee splashes over you. Your daughter is about to cry. You gently say, "Its ok honey, you just need to be more careful next time". Grabbing a towel you rush upstairs. After grabbing a new shirt and your briefcase, you come back down in time to look through the window and see your child getting on the bus. She turns and waves. You arrive 5 minutes early and cheerfully greet the staff. Your boss comments on how good the day you are having.

Notice the difference?

Two different scenarios.
Both started the same. Both ended different.

Why?
Because of how you REACTED.

You really do not have any control over 10% of what happens. The other 90% was determined by your reaction.

Here are some ways to apply the 90/10 principle. If someone says something negative about you, don't be a sponge. Let the attack roll off like water on glass. You don't have to let the negative comment affect you!

React properly and it will not ruin your day. A wrong reaction could result in losing a friend, being fired, getting stressed out etc.

How do you react if someone cuts you off in traffic? Do you lose your temper? Pound on the steering wheel? A friend of mine had the steering wheel fall off. Do you curse? Does your blood pressure skyrocket? Do you try and bump them?

WHO CARES if you arrive ten seconds later at work? Why let the cars ruin your drive?

Remember the 90/10 principle, and do not worry about it.

You are told you lost your job.

Why lose sleep and get irritated?

It will work out. Use your worrying energy and time into finding another job.

The plane is late; it is going to mangle your schedule for the day. Why take outpour frustration on the flight attendant? She has no control over what is going on.

Use your time to study, get to know the other passenger.

Why get stressed out?

It will just make things worse.

Now you know the 90-10 principle. Apply it and you will be amazed at the results. You will lose nothing if you try it. The 90-10 principle is incredible. Very few know and apply this principle.

The result?

Millions of people are suffering from undeserved stress, trials, problems and heartache. We all must understand and apply the 90/10 principle.

It CAN change your life!!!

我的小小田之『田滿之患』

2008-01-13T18:15:00.000+08:00

擠迫户等待調遷 - 13 Jan 2008

My Blueberry Cake

2008-01-12T17:04:00.000+08:00

Yummy!! 正過 "My Blueberry Nights" 好多. :p

Attitude affect Altitude

2007-12-30T19:46:00.000+08:00

面對不幸的態度決定了你心情的高度；
做人的態度決定了你聲譽的高度；
處事的態度決定了你成就的高度；
對信仰的態度決定了你生命的高度。
-施以諾

我的小小田之『出芽了』

2007-12-30T17:43:00.000+08:00

My First Photobook Finally Arrived!!

2007-12-26T01:19:00.000+08:00

I'm so excited to receive my first self-created photobook "Faces of Iran" on the Christmas Day just before leaving home to Christmas Mass. Thanks, God! It is about my Iran Trip in Oct 2007. It takes me weeks to finish this book. Despite many negative comments given by other customers in Blurb's forum, the quality of the book turns out very good and it's out of my expectation.

Thank you, Blurb! Thank you, UPS! Life is really beautiful!

Vietnam Trip (1) - Mekong Delta

2007-12-24T23:32:00.000+08:00

Vietnam's "rice basket" - The Mekong Delta

Merry Christmas

2007-12-24T10:07:00.000+08:00

Taken at Equatorial Hotel, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

再上路

2007-12-19T10:52:00.000+08:00

世事多變，原本一年一度的滑雪之旅，因多名板友未能請假告吹了，加上康先生來年有新任務，可能須長駐外地一年﹝我可有藉口歐遊了﹞，於是乘聖誕前到越南作幾天消遙遊，算是獎勵自己今年考試的努力，來年的事，來年再算吧！

活在當下嘛！

Exam Report

2007-12-18T16:20:00.000+08:00

In comparative terms, the October diet delivered a stellar performance, reflected in apass rate of 61% (the highest since October 2000). In addition, 6 distinctions wereawarded by the Examination board representing some truly stunning responses to the examination paper. This is particularly pleasing given that this was the first examination set in accordance with the new manual.

This excellent set of results does however mask examples of severe underperformance across the candidate population where 'clear blue water' is evident between the strong performers and much weaker exam submissions. The Examination Board has deduced that there is simply no substitute for hard work, with the outstanding papers reflecting excellent examination technique and a truly rounded knowledge base.

For this diet in particular, there appeared to be a concerning trend where students wererelying on performing well on the 'numbers' questions without demonstrating the farwider requirements of the discipline. This is a high risk strategy, with the oddsstacked heavily against any candidate who believes that delivering the mathematicalelement will secure them a pass.
How do stunning responses look like? Hahaha!

我的小小田 ----- 再戰江湖

2007-12-16T16:36:00.000+08:00

Dec 15, 2007 - 翻田
Dec 16, 2007 - 下種

How to Grow Tomatoes

2007-12-13T23:14:00.000+08:00

Growing tomatoes is easy. It's one reason for their popularity in your home garden. Tomato plants are usually started indoors. Plant them in small containers eight to ten weeks before the last frost date for your area. Just prior to planting them in your garden, "harden them off" by bringing them outside during the daytime and for increasing hours, until you are leaving them out overnight. Use of a coldframe is recommended, but not a requirement. If frost is predicted, bring them indoors.

On planting day, pour liberal amounts of water with a soluble liquid fertilizer on them. Plant them in the garden carefully. To minimize transplant shock, avoid disturbing the roots. Normal spacing is 24 " apart, in rows 30" to 36" apart.

Fertilize on a regular basis. Early applications should be high in nitrogen. As blossoming occurs, switch to fertilizers which are higher in Phosphorus and Potassium. Too much Nitrogen fertilizer results in lots of lush green leaves, and little fruit. A fertilizer specifically formulated for tomatoes, will help to maximize your crop. Try Jobes Fertilizer spikes.

Keep your tomato plant well watered. Deep watering is preferable, over more frequent, light watering. You want moisture to go deep to all the roots of the plant. Water directly to the roots. Keep water off the leaves if at all possible. Tomatoes are susceptible to plant disease that grows in wet, humid conditions.

Tip:

Even if you have a garden out back, we recommend finding a place along the back of the house for just one tomato plant. This one plant will be the last to succumb to frost in the fall. The warmth of the house, and a light plastic sheet or cloth tossed over it at night, will allow you to harvest fresh tomatoes after the first frost, right when prices are rising in the grocery store.

To maximize your crop, and minimize disease and insect damage, stake or cage tomatoes. They will reward you with more tomatoes. And, they will be cleaner, as they will not be sitting on the soil.

Days to Maturity:
Varying types require from 55 days to 85 days (Beefsteaks). The race is always on in my neighborhood to get the first ripe tomato of the season. Most of us also grow and await the beefsteaks. One slice from these delicious beauties more than fills a sandwich.

Cold and hot spells will affect fruit development and growth. Fruit set will not occur below 55 degrees or above 90 degrees Farenheit.

Insects and Pests:
Tomatoes can experience insect problems with cutworms and a few other garden pests. Also, if not staked or caged, snails and slugs will munch on the ripening fruit.

Disease:
A number of plant problems can arise, usually in mid summer heat and humidity. Blights and fungus infections can occur in the high humidity. Early treatment with fungicides is effective. Spacing plants too close cuts down air circulation and promotes disease.

Blossom end rot can also affect the fruit. This is a round, brown, indented spot on the bottom of the tomato. It is caused by either uneven watering or a lack of calcium in the soil. More on Blossom End Rot.

Tip: Do not water at night if possible in hot and humid weather if possible. Moisture and humidity combined with high temperatures promotes plant diseases. If possible, water at the roots.

Hardiness:

Tomatoes like it hot! They will die if exposed to frost. Make sure to plant them after the last frost.

Tip#1: Cover your young seedling if frost is predicted. A simple and easy cover for small seedlings is to buy large or extra large plastic disposable cups. Place them over the seedling at dusk, and remove them in the morning. There is usually little or no wind on nights with frost, so they are not easily tipped over.

Tip#2: If you get a light frost overnight and you did not cover up your plants. Go out early before the sun rises, and spray your plants with the garden hose. This melts the ice off the plants and may save them.

Harvesting and Storing Tomatoes:

Tomatoes store well in a cool, dry location. Do not put them in the refrigerator. While they last longer in the refrigerator, they will lose their flavor and texture. Keep them out of direct sunlight.

Just before frost, pick tomatoes while the are still green or orange. Wash them thoroughly. Rinse in a light solution of 1 gallon of water and a tablespoon of bleach. This kills off bacteria that rots the fruit. Allow them to dry, then put them in a cool, dry, dark place.

How to Grow Romaine Lettuce

2007-12-13T22:50:00.000+08:00

Romaine lettuce is one of the most popular of lettuces in both the garden, and the kitchen. Gardeners love it because it is fast growing, and forms a loose head, that is easy to harvest. It takes up little space in the garden, too. Sweet and delicious, Romaine lettuce is the basics for Caesar salad.

Days to Maturity:

Romaine lettuce is ready to harvest in 65-70 days.

Sowing:

Seeds are very fine. Plant in rows, spreading the seeds as thinly as possible. No matter how hard you try, they are so difficult to disperse. Thinning seedlings is must. Cover the seeds with a very fine layer of loose soil or starting mixture.

Romaine is a good candidate for an indoor start. They transplant easily. You can also plant indoors in pots, or in container gardens on the deck. When transplanting in the garden, you can give them the proper spacing.

How to Grow:

Final spacing of the plants should be 12" apart, in rows 18" apart. For maximum growth, avoid overcrowding. Whether starting indoors or out, you will likely want to transplant your seedlings with the proper spacing for fast, full development.

Romaine likes cool weather and lots of moisture in rich, well drained soil. Transplanting should only be done in cool, preferably cloudy weather. If the weather is hot and sunny, we recommend putting off transplanting if possible. If this is not possible, then transplant in the early evening hours. Water thoroughly and every day after, unless it rains, for about a week.

The key to growing crisp, sweet Romaine lettuce, is to get it growing at a fast pace. That means plenty of water, and a healthy dose of fertilizer.

Tip:

When transplanting lettuce in hot weather, place some form of sun shade over the plant for a couple of days. Any makeshift shade will do.

Succession planting is a common and useful practice. Plant successive crops for a constant supply of Romaine all season long. Plant small rows or sections of your garden with Romaine every two weeks.

Harvesting:

You can pick Romaine as soon as it is big enough to use. The outer leaves can be picked and the inner leaves allowed to grow. Or, use the plants pulled while thinning. After cutting, Romaine will regrow, but will not be one nice, neat head. It's better to start a new plant.

Insects and Pests:

A variety of insects can pose a real problem. Lettuce is delicate and can absorb many insecticides. If you want or need to use insecticides, look for brands that are less harmful to you and the environment. We like to avoid insecticides on leafy vegetables wherever possible. we suggest organic sprays, and a willingness to give up some of the harvest to insects, versus using pesticides. After all, one of the reasons most of us have gardens is to avoid the pesticides.

Slugs are a real problem for all types of lettuces. There are a variety of control methods.

Disease:

Romaine lettuce will wilt and rot in hot, humid weather. The plant will also bolt or go to seed stage in higher heat. Heading or bunching types are more susceptible to rotting and bolting. Leaf types grow and mature quickly, and have fewer disease problems.

Hardiness:

Romaine lettuce thrives in cooler weather, with moderate moisture. It is not fond of mid-summer heat, or dry conditions. Many gardeners will plant a crop for spring and early summer harvest, leaving the mid summer months to the tomatoes and the corn. Then, as the late summer heat begins to wane, they plant a new lettuce crop for a fall harvest.

Source: http://www.gardenersnet.com/

翠玉瓜栽培

2007-12-13T22:42:00.000+08:00

栽培環境：

由九月中旬至翌年三月均可種植（最適宜是十月至二月）。生長適溫為 18 - 25°C ；發芽適溫為 25 - 30°C 。喜微酸性土壤，最適宜的 pH 值為 5.5 - 7.0 ；喜歡土壤濕潤而空氣乾燥的環境。翠玉瓜栽培，以通透性好，保水力強的壤土，容易獲得高產。日照不足或土壤水分過多或排水不良時，易引起徒長和落果。
注意事項：翠玉瓜對霜凍頗為敏感。

種植及株行距：

種子發芽約需 5 天；幼苗長到 3 - 4 片真葉時（ 20 - 25 天）便可移植到田間；或每穴直播 2 - 3 粒種子。
種植株距約 3 呎，行距 4 呎。

施肥及管理：

定植前要落基肥（每斗地約用花生麩 120 斤及骨粉 60 斤／斗種）。移植後一星期每株施用藍丸 120 克，十日後再用相同數量的藍丸作追肥之用。在生長過程中可加入適量的葉面肥，有助植株及果實的生長。再輔以中耕除草及摘除病葉及弱果。

採收：

當果實生長到 6 - 8 吋長度時，便可採收。採收期約三星期。由播種至第一次採收為 35 - 47 日（開花後 11 天為適收）。採收後可貯存一星期（不能低於 10°C ）。

Source: 漁農自然護理署園藝組

伊朗行《17》--- Tehran

2007-12-13T21:59:00.000+08:00

Tehran is the capital and largest city of Iran.

It is the hub of the country's communication and transport network. The city has numerous large museums, art centers, palace complexes and cultural centers and host 45% of Iran's industries.

Left: Golestan Palace Right: Holy Shrine of Imam Khomeini

伊朗行《16》--- Kashan

2007-12-12T23:57:00.000+08:00

Kashan is a desert oasis situated in an historic region that dates back to pre-historic times. There are hundreds of once-grand traditional houses. in Kashan. Most have long since been carved up or are literally turning to dust, but recently a few have been restored and many others are being slowly and meticulously revived.

Originally built as a private residence in the early 19th century, the Khan-e Borujerdi has a lovely courtyard flanked by summer and winter houses.

At the southern end of the courtyard, the splendid motifs above the arched entrance to the summer house indicate this was the home of a rich merchant of handicrafts.

As you wander around the narrow streets of Kashan, look carefully at the doors.

Most have two knockers, one round and fat, the other long and thin.

These were designed to give off different sounds so that whoever was in the house would be able to tell whether a man or woman was knocking and so decide who should open the door to them; vital in a society where women lived in purdah (in seclusion or behind a veil).

Designed for Shah Abbas I, Bagh-e Tarikhi-ye Fin is a classical Persian vision of paradise. It has always been prized for its natural springs and still contains the remains of the Shah's two-storey palace.

Bagh-e Tarikhi-ye Fin is also infamous for being the site of the murder in 1851 of the revered Mirza Taghi Khan, commonly known as Amir Kabir.

Source: Lonely Planet

伊朗行《15》--- Isfahan

2007-12-10T20:31:00.000+08:00

Isfahan, located about 340 km south of Tehran, is the capital of Isfahan Province and Iran's third largest city.

The Imam (Naghsh-e Jahan) Square in Isfahan has been designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The city also contains a wide variety of Islamic architectural sites ranging from the eleventh to the nineteenth century. Its stunning architecture, tree-lined boulevards with relaxed, tree-shaded sidewalks and its architectural variety make it the undisputed highlight of Iran's cities.

Vank Cathedral is the historic focal point of the Armenian Church in Iran.

伊朗行《14》--- Naqsh-e Rustam

2007-12-04T21:35:00.000+08:00

Naqsh-e Rustam is an archaeological site located about 12 km northwest of Persepolis, in Fars province, Iran. It lies a few hundred meters from Naqsh-e Rajab.

Four tombs belonging to Achaemenid kings are carved out of the rock face. They are all at a considerable height above the ground.

One of the tombs is explicitly identified by an accompanying inscription to be the tomb of Darius I. The other three tombs are believed to be those of Xerxes I, Artaxerxes I and Darius II respectively.

Tomb of Darius the Great, Naqsh-e Rostam

伊朗行《13》--- Shiraz

2007-12-04T21:07:00.000+08:00

Shiraz is the capital of Fārs Province and is located in the foothills of the Zagros Mountains. It is known as the city of poetry, wine and carpet production and flowers (such as roses). It is also famous for its importance in the history of Iran. It has a moderate climate and has been a regional trade center for more than a thousand years.

Left: Arg of Karim Khan
Top Right: Bagh-e Eram
Middle & Bottom Right: Qor'an Gate

伊朗行《12》--- Persepolis

2007-12-03T22:25:00.000+08:00

Persepolis is a historical site near Shiraz, in Fars Province.

It is an ancient capital city of the Persian Empire and one of the greatest cities in the Middle East at the height of the empire. It was sacked by Alexander The Great.

Xerxes' Gateway

Persepolis which originally covered more than 125,000 square metres, was built over a 150 year period commencing about 512 BC during the reigns of the Achaemenian dynasty kings Darius I (Darius the Great), Xerxes I and II, and Artaxerxes I, II, and III.

The name "Persepolis" is that given to the city by Alexander, who sacked the city and burned it to the ground in 331 BC. Understandably, you'll rarely hear Alexander deemed "the Great" in these parts.

The original name in Achaemenian times was "Parsa". Today, most Iranians refer to the site as Takht-é Jamshid, or "Throne of Jamshid", a mythical king of ancient Persia.

Above is a birdeye view of the central part of Persepolis, taken from the tomb of Artaxerxes II (404 - 358 BC), carved into a mountainside above the city. Xerxes' gateway is at the very right of the image.

At the front are stables and encampments for troops, behind which lie the ruins of the Palace of 100 Columns (only the bases of which remain). The columns of the Central Hall of Apadana Palace, to the left of which lie Darius' Palace, with Artaxerxes' palace at the very left of the frame. Little remains of Xerxes' Palace, which lies in front of Artaxerxes' from this vantage point. The tree-shaded area to the left is the Persepolis Museum in front of which is what's left (nothing) of Darius' large treasury. The original city extends well to either side of this view.

Persepolis

2007-12-03T22:03:00.000+08:00

Can't wait to watch this move ..

Persepolis Official Website

Marjane Satrapi: "Persepolis" a pro-Iranian humanist tale

伊朗行《11》--- Persian Food

2007-11-11T22:48:00.000+08:00

The cuisine of Iran is diverse, with each province featuring dishes, as well as culinary traditions and styles, distinct to their region. Iranian food is not spicy. Most meals consist of a large serving of seasoned rice and an accompanying course, typically consists of meat, poultry, or fish. Herbs are used frequently. Onions and garlic are normally used in the preparation of the accompanying course, but are also served separately during meals, either in raw or pickled form.

Zereshk (i.e. barberry) is used heavily in Persian Cuisine. Zereshk polow (i.e. Iranian Chicken and Rice with Barberries) represents the most prominent use of barberry that is mixed with rice. It tastes great!

Source: http://www.wikipedia.com/

伊朗行《10》--- A World Without Strangers

2007-11-09T23:20:00.001+08:00

When travelling, it's more than just about sightseeing, it's the ability to meet local people and make friends that is most interesting, and that's when language becomes important. Even though not many Iranians speak English, I'm glad that we can still communciate well with each others by means of body languages.

However, my Iranian friend Zarrin, who has been living in the US for the past 20 years and lately travelled to Iran, had a hard time in taking a picture for the local people. Perhaps they get worried when an Iranian wants to take a picture but with a foreigner they think the picture goes far and it won't matter. They are private and shy at the same time.

伊朗行《9》--- 亡命攝影師

2007-11-07T00:05:00.000+08:00

伊朗行《8》--- 遇上100%的畫家

2007-11-05T18:37:00.000+08:00

這天我和Iris在Imam Square內的Bazzar遛連了一個下午，紀念品買不到，郵票也買不到，累極！只想找一間茶館休息一會，伊朗人不喜歡喝咖啡，喜歡品茗，他們不會直接加糖在茶內，而是把方糖含在口中，再喝一點茶，讓糖在口中慢慢溶化，伊朗茶有點像錫蘭紅茶，就算不加糖，微澀的口感加上芳香，也很好喝。

可是找了整個廣場，半間茶館也找不到，卻誤打誤撞進了一間果仁店，店主是伊朗人，說着流利英語，知道我們對他店中的產品沒有興趣，非常熱情地邀請我們去見他的父親，並聲稱他父親並不是商人，是一名藝術家，廣場上有不少壁畫也是他的作品。

見他盛意拳拳，且時間尚早，就跟他往市場內一逛，我們被帶到他父親的一間畫廊，他父親正默默地畫畫，而他兒子就不斷地介紹父親的作品，又展示Lonely Planet (Italian Version)內有他父親的照片云云，他絕對是一名出色的推銷員，但比較硬銷。

他父親就用軟功，看見我手中拿着小記事簿，就說替我即席畫幅畫，最後，我和Iris都不敵他倆的軟硬攻勢，各替他們買了一幅駱駝骨畫。

伊朗行《7》--- 不同的遭遇

2007-11-02T21:35:00.000+08:00

以下是一位記者去年在伊朗採訪時的遭遇:

Quote
"暗角

翻譯阿麥德給我講過一個故事, 他的女兒莎哈爾小的時候最喜歡不穿鞋,光著腳丫在雨中玩, 每次都是渾身濕漉漉的回家. 可是到了她9歲生日的那一天, 按照伊朗法律, 她必須要參加一個成人禮, 在那一天, 她將披上頭巾, 從此不可將頭髮顯露於外人面前. 別的女孩子欣然接受的時候, 莎哈爾卻拿著頭巾, 對爸爸說, 爸爸, 我再也不能感覺到雨水打在頭髮上了. 望著莎哈爾的眼睛, 阿麥德衝進洗手間, 淚濕滿面.

前兩天我穿著一件白色的長衫, 去大巴扎拍片. 那裡琳瑯滿目的讓人心慌, 因為人太多,聲音太嘈雜, 讓我忍不住的鎖緊眉頭.阿麥德是個絕頂聰明的人, 看我的神情, 於是站在我的身邊, 靠牆而立, 司機和dee還有R先生, 將我環繞. 可是那來來往往的男人眼神中骯髒的氣息,已經足以讓我感覺到窒息. 結果即便是這樣, 15分鐘之後, 一個男人居然還是潛伏到樓上的那一層, 對著我吐下口水, 白衣服, 藍色的頭巾, 我的同伴們臉上的憐憫, 周圍的人一副看好戲的表情, 真是想大罵一場, NNND甚麼狗屎國家, 我為你的文明而來, 而你將我如此羞辱. 但是我最後還是咬緊牙關, 沒有發出聲音.

最難過的卻不是我.

阿麥德一言不發的在車上看著窗外的飛過風景, 我問他說你怎麼了, 他說你不知道我有多抱歉和多難堪. 我說那並不是你的錯, 他說, 可是這就是我的祖國, 那些人就是我的兄弟, 你說我該拿我的人民怎麼辦? 我問, 有沒有想過離開這裡, 你去過那麼多國家, 去任何一個地方, 都會過的很好. 他說, 可是我怎麼能逃避我自己的家, 它在我的血液裡面, 是我無法迴避的部分啊.

回到住的地方, DEE突然跟我說, 幸虧帶了頭巾, 不然就直接吐到頭髮上了. 我聽完, 想起Simi跟我說, 裹在黑長袍裡面, 我覺得protected. 但是protected from what? 如果我因為受到今天這樣的羞辱, 而寧願躲藏在黑長袍的保護之下, 那麼到底是我變的文明了, 還是邪惡教化了我, 馴服了我, 我不要躲藏在暗角里面, 那裡太荒蠻, 太淒涼.

12點的時候, 毛拉的祈禱混合著歌聲響起, 很多人會在乾淨的毯子上, 向著麥加的方向, 跪拜他們的真主. 我的身體, 卻不由自主的轉向太陽的方向." Unquote

原文

G.O.D. forbid!

2007-11-02T12:34:00.000+08:00

G.O.D. should design some products with logos like "P.T.U.", "C.I.D." or "O-Kee" to help promoting Hong Kong Police Force as a remedy. Haha!

Quote
"G.O.D. forbid!

Carol Chung

Friday, November 02, 2007

A bid to turn a Hong Kong-made and designed T-shirt into a fashion icon for local youths has run foul of the law with the arrest of 18 people from a local chain store yesterday.

Police said the design on the T-shirts marketed by Goods of Desire - or G.O.D. as the store is popularly known - was linked to a triad society and that those who purchased them could also be arrested.

Possessing triad products is a violation of the law and people wearing a shirt with such logos will be arrested, Organized Crime Triad Bureau Acting Superintendent Cheng Fuk-chuen warned.

Police confiscated 88 T-shirts and more than 500 postcards printed with a "14K" logo, "? x K"- with the numbers written in Chinese characters - from the store's five offices and warehouse located in Central, Causeway Bay, Tsim Sha Tsui and Yuen Long. They arrested nine men and nine women, including salespersons and designers, aged between 21 and 51.

It is believed one of those arrested is the store's founder, Douglas Young Chi-chiu, who is a grandson of Kowloon Motor Bus founder William Louey Sui-tak.

They are suspected of contravening the Societies Ordinance, which refers to slogans, published materials and objects with symbolic meanings, and which police specialists have confirmed to be related to the triads. The police raid followed a recent media report on products the store was selling.

Cheng said the industry should be careful when designing products not to contravene the law.

"Creativity is creativity - that's different. The industry should study the legislation, which clearly states symbols representing or constituting triad symbols are illegal," Cheng said.

G.O.D.s marketing manager Cherry Ma Kit-ying insisted the logo was one of the store's usual designs and involved "a play on words."

Other examples include "Delay No More" - which sounds vulgar in Cantonese - printed on products, and home accessories with the store's name G.O.D. which sounds like the Cantonese words for "better living." The logo design was only intended to refer to gold rather than the triads, Ma said.

"Some may relate it to the triads ... we didn't have any intention to promote things [related to the triad]."

Ma stressed the store's innocent intention, saying "14K gold was marked on the back of the postcards."

Lawmaker James To Kun-sun, deputy chairman of the Legislative Council's security panel, said whether the controversial logo violates the law depends on how it is displayed and publicized, and whether it conveys any triad-related message.

People who have bought the products but are innocent about the meaning may not be charged. But if they act in a provocative way when wearing the T-shirt, they could be mistaken for a triad member, To said.

G.O.D. is recalling the T-shirts and postcards, which went on sale in mid- September.

So far, more than 10 T-shirts, costing HK$280 each, have been sold.

Police said those who have bought the products should call 2527-7887. "
Unquote

Source: The Standard

伊朗行《6》--- 邪惡的頭巾

2007-10-30T22:13:00.000+08:00

這天的Persepolis風和日麗，正當我在Tomb of Darius the Great前沾沾自喜的看着剛用400D拍下的一名穿着傳统服飾的中年男士之際，一個穿得相對摩登的伊朗美少婦把我拉在一旁，友善的跟我說我並不應替此人拍照，心想：莫非他是一個神聖不可侵犯、十分顯赫的大人物，隨即問道：『他是何許人呢？』，她答說：『這裏對伊朗人來說，是一個很神聖、很重要的地方，而此人則是政府那兒的人，我們並不喜歡這個政府，因此，妳不應把他與此古蹟拉在一起。』

在途中所遇到的伊朗人大多不諳英語，於是對這個操流利英語的少婦Zarrin很感興趣，問道：『為何妳的英文這麽棒？』，她隨即介紹她那外籍夫婿跟我認識，我即恍然大悟，還順道請教她如何可令頭巾牢牢貼緊在頭上，並問道：『假如頭巾滑了下來怎麽辦？有什麽後果？』，她那外籍丈夫隨即道：『那就讓它掉下吧！不打緊！』

Zarrin跟着告訴我她也不喜歡戴頭巾，並希望有一天她們可以不戴這頭巾、不用再遵守這樣的法律。說罷，她便教我如何戴好頭巾、怎樣可讓頭巾不那麽容易掉下來云云；說時遲，那時快，領隊又嚷着要上車了，這是我最不喜歡参加旅行團的原因之一，只好跟他們道別，但不忘跟Zarrin來張『到此一遊』合照，可是我那邪惡的頭巾又除除的掉了下來。

願伊朗女人有一天不用再整天戴着那頭巾、不用再穿上那黑漆漆的長袍、可與非直繫親屬的男士有正常的社交，並不用再遵守那些過份守舊的法律。

願她們離這重獲自由的一天不太遙遠。

後記：最近通訊得悉原來Zarrin在美國住了超過二十年，難怪英文這麽好！

伊朗行《5》--- Little Miss Sunshine

2007-10-30T20:26:00.000+08:00

伊朗行《4》--- 賠本生意

2007-10-29T22:33:00.000+08:00

在伊朗，有三樣生意是做不得的，分別是女性時裝、理髮和纖體，雖然不少年輕的伊朗女性會在頭巾上花點心思，有些還會染髮，但衣著保守的法律一天不改，花錢在時裝、理髮和纖體幹啥呢？

伊朗行《3》--- 邪惡軸心?!

2007-10-28T21:14:00.000+08:00

出發到這個被形容為『邪惡軸心』的伊朗前，無聊地在facebook發問了一個問題：Should I go to Iran? 怎料，無心一問，卻引來很大回嚮，很多親友認為我的決定很冒險、匪夷所思，力勸不要前往，但也有不少朋友對這個神祕的國家很有興趣，其中一位同事更說多年前曾到此作三星期旅遊，伊朗是她最喜歡的中東國家。

由於不想令家人擔心，臨走前只輕描淡寫、含含糊糊的告知母親要去中東旅行，但心中不免有點不安，怎料，一到達此地，竟對這『邪惡軸心』國完全改觀。

相信當地的旅遊業剛起步關係，伊朗人很少接觸亞洲遊客，對我們這批『奇裝異服』的遊客十分好奇，但也出奇的友善與好客，由於大多數的伊朗人不諳英語，與他們溝通須用上身體語言，為了買郵票寄Postcard給親友，更要畫圖畫解釋，最後得知郵票稱為"Tambr",可是找了幾天也找不到一間營業的郵局！

雖然很多時雞同鴨講，但可以看出伊朗人很好客和單純，可能由於是由伊斯蘭教統治的關係，法規很嚴苛、很保守，一般女士不可與非直繫親屬的男士有親密的接觸(包括握手)，電影絕無色情暴力成份，沒有夜生活，連啤酒也是沒酒精的，閒時一家大小喜往公園野餐共聚天倫，生活十分簡樸。每當我拿起相機示意要替他們拍照時，他們都很樂意，拍罷還嚷着邀我加入他們的聚會、嚐嚐他們的『依式』火鍋、開心果仁，或努力嘗試教我們他國的語言。

伊朗人 ---- 是我在旅途中遇到的最友善的外國人。論到邪惡，一萬倍不及我們的香港人吧！

伊朗行《2》--- Women Dress Code in Iran

2007-10-27T23:18:00.000+08:00

By law, all females over the age of nine must wear the hejab, the general term to describe the type of Islamic dress required for females in Iran.

Signs in public places show two possible variants on correct hejab: The chador, an all-encompassing, head-to-toe black 'tent'; or a maqna'e (a wimple-like scarf-shawl) with a manteau (baggy trench coat) and trousers.

These days the 'style police' are not as busy as they once were and foreign women can get away with wearing their normal clothes, provided their head, shoulders, arms, legs and body are completely covered and the shape of their body is concealed.

That said, a female tourmate of mine was shouted by a conservative Iranian who tried to correct the situation as her scarf slipped back a bit too far while my friend Iris was warned by a 'style police' since her T-shirt was not loose and long enough. Ha! Ha!

Source: Lonely Planet

Photos taken in Isfahan, Iran Oct 2007

伊朗行《1》--- 向波斯帝國出發

2007-10-15T12:52:00.000+08:00

子曰：『讀萬卷書，行萬里路』，剛考完本年度的第三個公開試，為了平衡心理，是時候向世界出發了！

很幸運，今年分別去了北海道及雲南旅遊，旅伴組合每次都不同，一次大夥兒浩浩蕩蕩去滑雪，一次與親人暢遊祖國，今回則與同事結伴尋幽探秘兼消假。

是次目的地很神祕、很特別、也很邪惡，就是具有豐富歴史文化的波斯帝國。

沿途若有機會上網的話，讓我嘗試報告一下行程吧！ I'll be back!

Sand Art

2007-10-12T22:02:00.000+08:00

背蛙蝶捷

2007-10-05T22:43:00.000+08:00

What hands can do ..

2007-10-04T12:50:00.000+08:00

Facebook Mania

2007-09-28T11:25:00.000+08:00

Should I go to Iran?

2007-09-17T22:30:00.000+08:00

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran

http://wikitravel.org/en/Iran

http://www.irpedia.com/

http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0107640.html

http://www.persia.org/

A Relaxing Sunday in DB

2007-09-09T17:25:00.000+08:00

Thanks a lot, Jacky, for lending me the wonderful lens for shooting. I'd definitely consider to buy one for my next trip.

Had lunch in Cafe de Paris. The set lunch there was really great and value-for-money. Better sit outside for taking pictures.

教我如何不想它

2007-09-07T22:54:00.000+08:00

近期迷上這小玩意，它的魅力直逼Google、YouTube，有幾犀利？它能把與你從小談話不足五句的遠方/房親朋戚友聯繫上，再發現你親戚的同學的朋友原來是你同事；據聞在英國有大學畢業生透過facebook，聯繫上全國的大學生杯葛HSBC，成功令HSBC恢復對大學畢業生透支免息的優惠。

朋友們，唔想俾人話你out就快D join facebook 啦！

La Ballade Of Lady and Bird

2007-08-30T22:23:00.000+08:00

Lady and Bird《La Ballade Of Lady and Bird》

Bird : Lady?
Lady : Yes Bird?
Bird : It's cold
Lady : I know
Lady : Bird... I cannot see a thing
Bird : It's all in your mind
Lady : I'm worried
Bird : No one will come to see us
Lady : Maybe they come but we just don't see them
What do you see?
Bird : I see what's outside
Lady : And what exactly is outside?
Bird : It's grown-ups
Lady : Well maybe if we scream they can hear us
Bird : Yeah, maybe we should try to scream
Lady : Ok, Bird
Lady & Bird : Heeeelp, Heeeelp
Can you hear us now ?
Hello !
Help !
Hello it's me
Hey
Can you see
Can you see me
I'm here
Nana come and take us
Hello
Are you there
Hello
Lady : I don't think they can hear us
Bird : I can hear you lady
Bird : Do you want to come with me lady
Lady : Will you be nice to me Bird
Lady : You're always be nice to me because you're my friend
Bird : I try but sometimes I make mistakes
Lady : Nana says we all make mistakes
Bird : Maybe we should scream more
Lady : Yes, Bird let's scream more
Lady & Bird : Help ! Help us ! Come on ! Help
Hello !
Help
Hello !
We're lost
Lady : I think they cannot see us
Bird : Nobody likes us
Lady : But they all seem so big
Bird : Maybe we should just jump
Lady : What if we fall from the bridge and then nobody can catch us
Bird : I don't know let's just see what happens
Lady : Okay
Bird : Come with me
Lady : Shall we do it together
Bird : Yeah
Lady & Bird : 1 2 3....Aaaaaaah
Bird : Lady?
Lady : Yes Bird
Bird : It's cold
Lady : I know
Lady : Bird...I cannot see a thing
Bird : It's all in your mind

My Blueberry Nights

2007-08-29T00:09:00.000+08:00

Next Journey

2007-08-26T17:23:00.000+08:00