You know what? I would love to be able to build a house you see in HK New Territories. It's 3 floors, and are tiled. It has a flat roof, but hey, they manage to get through typhoons. Yup, I remember when I spent some of my lazy summer days while I was on hols over in HK. Sitting at the stairs between the 2nd floor and the roof, with the soothing breeze blowing through the door on the roof to the window on the stairways. Watching the sunset on the roof (and bitten by mosquitoes at the same time!). And of course, watching the stars at night. I love my relatives in Lam Tsuen. BBQs at night. One thing I don't like are the visious gaurd dogs in every house in the villages.

...and I came across this blog he wrote about toilets in HK and how intimidating they are for people who rarely (or don't) use them. I personally try and wait till I get home or somewhere where there is a 'proper' toilet, since I cannot stand (heh!) using the public toilets. I totally avoid them. But if you never seen one before, and you are not going to HK anytime soon (well, not when there is SARS around at the mo), then check it out at BWG - Toilet Trauma

Remember one of my old blogs mentioning about a someone looking for information on the Chinese community (Blog from February 19, 2003). Well, it's in the current issue of In Dublin (Vol 28 No.5).
Many thanks for Pavel Barter mentioning my site in his article about Dublin Chinese community. It captures the current state of our community at the moment, and hopefully in the future, the community will be recognised even more. And more sites like this one will be set up (I feel a bit lonely here). Don't mind being eclipsed in the future, but more local Chinese should take part to share the culture to others, and this does not have to stop at web pages, need to help the local resource centre (well, I am guilty with this one, my excuse is that I don't have enough time, but I hope I can do something in the near future). Again, thanks to Pavel and In Dublin for sharing this information with everyone out there.

Since this is big news (apart from the Iraq war) from the Far East at the moment. It is good to hear that the doctors over there have found out what strain this flu is. It is part of the family of strains that caused measles and mumps. HK doctors 'identify killer disease' (from BCC News Online).
I was talking to my step-grandad and he says it is quite a worry over there. Especially now one of the main hospitals are closed off in Shatin, and people are wearing masks. To Hong Kong people at the moment, this is scarier than war, when I commented on the war to my step-grandad. But it is good to hear that progress is being made to find a cure (well, looks like they are on the right track). Just thought I make a blog entry on this since I find myself lucky that all this happened after I came back from HK (although I might not catch the flu anyway). More is the worry for my brother who is planning to go back to HK in early June.

I did not do any special drawings/cartoons, but I'll make a mention in the blog anyway, so "Happy Paddy's Day!".
The Chinese Association here in Ireland are participating in the St. Patrick's Day parade. It really goes to show how far Chinese has come along to be recognised in the Irish society. As I mentioned on my messageboard, if anyone has an pictures taken of the Chinese participation in the parade, feel free to send them along to me, and I will put them up on my site.

Yup, IBC's message board is back up! Boy that was quick. Thankfully to good docs from phpbb.

I am getting to it right now. I thought it was something to do with my host, and was waiting for their response yesterday. Only read it now... but this is more phpBB problem. Apolagies for the outage of the board. Will be back up as soon as possible.

Further on the blog about pressures on making lots of money. Here is an interesting article stabbing at how to make it big in China - 10 ways to get rich, but..." (From China Daily, HK edition)

Being overseas Chinese, you always get the pressure to do the very best (even though most of the time, it is ok to do your best! Thanx dad, mom!). But you hear about Li Ka-Shing and his son. Does not really help when you have the Lee surname as well. I know money is not everything, but sometimes it feels like it does. That it is obligatory to earn alot of money. I can be hypocritical depending on my mood. But I am rather frustrated at the moment, but that is just a personal issue. Has anyone notice that Chinese people always have to show a bit of power and money? Is it ingrained into our culture? And it really sickens me that lots of girls in HK are throwing themselves at wealthy men, just for money sake. I know it happens everywhere around the globe, but you just hear these stories from the news, ok gossipy news. And people talking about it. 90% of the female cantopop stars can't sing, and it is not talent that brought them up there to the top, is it? And what about the scandalous Miss HK competitions. It can go on and on... What is it with the LV, your Armani's, Rolexes etc...? Even people from mainland China are going to HK to purchase these designer items. Anyway, all this from this one article I came across:
Li Ka-shing and Richard bookend SAR's rich list

Saw an article that says, HK babies are born with higher levels of mercury when the expectant mothers consume high amounts of fish, even though the fish does not contain high amounts of mercury. It is because Chinese intake of fish is quite high! I love fish as well, but this is an alarming find by scientists. Although I am hoping to blame the seafood caught. I tend to eat the fins, fish skin and the head (if there is one), and leave the meat to others. It's the same whether is fried or steamed. Pan-fried sole fish are nice, as the outter bones are crunchy and quite fragrant. Whereas sea fish like seabass are really nice when steamed and covered in ginger and scallions... mmm... I am not a fan of spicy sauce over steamed fish however. Sweet and sour sauce is nice though. Oh, don't forget preserved vegetables sprinkled over the steamed fish as well.

I've always wanted to get HK ID card. But I am only eligable for 6 months temp id card, which means I have to make a trip back every 6 months to sign papers. (I know some of you will say that is tragic! ;) ) But it is alot of hassle, and expensive especially if you are travelling from Ireland. But HK is bringing new id cards which are smartcards, so it will be like the Octopus cards I speak fondly of in my blogs, I was so spoilt with the public transport in HK, and then I come back to Ireland to all this waiting for delayed train/buses... Well here is the link to the HK SAR government site telling you info on what is coming with these new smart cards - New Smart Identity Card for HK residents. I just can't wait. Mom told me that the new cards will be for people over 30 first, but I will make my way to HK in the next year or two... I'll try to update as much as I can about this in future blogs.