Yay! Smoking ban from Jan 2007 onwards in HK. Although there are alot of unhappy punters on this happening at all, it's brill news for me, since I am so use to going to restaurants, cafes and pubs that are smoke-free. I also saw in the Chinese news that the old folks get to smoke while they play Chinese chess. But the so-called diehards will just get use to it, sure, the Irish are doing fine now. Even smoking in the nice Irish winters outdoors is not that much of an issue anymore. Pubs, cafes and restaurants just improvise with canopies, space heaters, tv screens with the footie on. Heh. So, only time will tell.
It's not fully back, but at least telecommunication and internet access is a little better.
Initial repairs to one submarine cable system would be completed by January 9, the authority said, weather and sea conditions permitting. Other cables would be repaired progressively by the end of January, the statement added.
Well, if they are interested in coming to your country, of course. That is why many countries are pitching themselves to the next wave upon wave of Chinese tourists at the Shanghai Convention Centre. On top of that, there is a book on showing how as a Chinese tourist, how to behave in a civil manner. Heh. It's all here.
The boorish behaviour will not disappear overnight, but hopefully it will. I do get mortified when I witness a Mainland Chinese person loudly clearing one's throat and spit on the groud. Eurgh!
On other news..., The China Rose Wedding is coming to Ireland. It's 40 couples who will tie the knot in one ceremony, and honeymoon in Dublin and the west of Ireland in Nov 2007. Cannot find anymore details on this, probably more will pop up when the time is nearer, unless they are all in Chinese.
Update from the damaged undersea cables from Taiwan's earthwauke. Telecommunications and internet services are not fully up, for HK, it would take upto 3 weeks to fix it completely.
More news:
* http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6213501.stm
* http://hk.news.yahoo.com/061228/60/1yyqu.html
Well, it's post-Christmas leftover time. And what do you normally do with leftover turkey and ham? Our family tends to look forward to turkey congee (although I lost my taste buds due to a crappy cold). All the turkey bones, leftover meat and ham gets toss into this rice porridge... mmmm... It's pretty yummy. It's full of flavour from the roast. I suppose it helps me as well, 'cause I am sick. It's a good comfort food, and keeps you nice and warm.
It's so easy to make. Tastes good, and also good for you!
It's so sad to see things like this, especially when it's committed by an Asian. The killing of the postmaster in Kilkenny was a tragic event, it is good to see the killer remanded in custody. One person can give a whole community a bad name, always the minority. From my experience, the Asians always kept to themselves, and any news that gets into the papers is always bad news.
Yesterday's earthquake, just offshore Taiwan, measuring 7.1, may have affected telecommunications in neighbouring Asian countries.
Taiwan's largest telephone company, Chunghwa Telecom Co, said damage to an undersea cable had disrupted 98% of Taiwan's communications with Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Hong Kong.
If you know where to look, you can get some amazing pictures.
And the sixth one from the top looks like a hand, just like the Buddha's hand from the Journey To The West story.
I would call it "Culture Shock", but the Japanese just takes it one step further, and it's known as Paris syndrome. Why? Because many Japanese (mainly women), would go to Paris with this dream vision of romance in the air, and then shattered by rude Parisiens i.e. waiters. So much so, that they go into some sort of psychiatric shock! And the Japanese embassy gets many calls to repatriate the Japanese tourists. Coming from a country that is ultra-polite, it must be strange for them to encoutered rude people, and it must be extreme in the Paris syndrome's case.
London and Hong Kong are cities that I are cities without heart. People just goes about their business. Dublin is going that direction, being cosmopolitan can have these affects, from what I observe and experienced. But would it be enough to cause you mental anguish, breakdown or even suicidal!?!
But are all Parisiens rude? I have been hearing 50-50, and it's just stereotyping them. I think if you go to any other large cities, you will encounter rude people of some sorts. But maybe because I grew up in the west, and encounter all manners of rude people anyway.
Man, Chinese people and respect. It can fall foul so easily, as in this case with one Chinese man killing a fellow countryman. But if you can't do the time, don't do the crime.
But some good news, the 1st ethnic Chinese person to run for office in Belfast. It's a tremendous step in regards to all the racism that is happening in N. Ireland. Down here, we should take note of this, maybe we can learn something from it.
Just read an entry from BigWhiteGuy about the secret of Cantonese. And it was interesting reading about his experience. And I have told people that Cantonese is full of slang, apart from newsreaders, who use proper and more formal spoken Cantonese.
I remembered that it was kind of strange at first to watch Chinese drama (which is normally Chinese subtitled), and find that what they are speaking in Cantonese is completely different to the subititles. Even if it is period drama, although period drama is a little closer to the subtitles. I found this unusual when I first learnt written Chinese, that words written are so different to spoken Cantonese. It was hard to get my head around it. It sounded strange when it is read out. But I young back then, and never thought too much about it. I was just use to it. Sometimes it is annoying to watch TVB news, and you hear the words, but when strung together, you get lost in the translation. But given that it's on tv, I was able to guess what was being said anyway, just the details are missing here and there (ok, a little more than here and there. (;>-< ) )
I wonder how other overseas born Chinese feel about this? Discuss at IBC forum.
The status of the dragon in China should not even have been debated over about. When one thinks of Chinese dragons, it's this wondrous creature of power and wealth. Maybe it's how I am brought up, being able to tell the difference between western and eastern dragons. But symbolically, the Chinese dragon has an aura that can also be paired with the phoneix (normally together for a couple who is getting married). But as the article shows, that many Chinese would have the word dragon (龍), which is pronounced "loong" in Cantonese. It's always been cool to have 龍 as part of your name (too many movies, I think. >-<) Asian comic depictions of eastern dragons help this image of power.
And my fav dragon are the ones in Dragonball.
It's been a long time, but it's due to be opened on Dec 20th. And they will be releasing safety information campaign in 8 languages, which includes Chinese to ensure that everyone knows how to use the tunnels safely.
Strange to hear about Maid cafés. But they are not just found in Japan, but in Canada as well! Do guys (and gals) actually feel comfortable eating their noodles with these pretty girls all dressed up, whose also willing to talk to them? Strange world.
Quite contrary to my post about efficiency in HK banks.
I just came across an entry in BigWhiteGuy's blog about HSBC not accepting an Italian address, just because they are going by the book, word for word!
“The rule book says the proof of address has to be in English.”
The word for "street" in Italian was "via"! Hmm, HK banks are always a stickler for these details. Like handwritten cheques have to absolutely correct, even if the person has terrible handwriting, it's no excuse. Or if your signature is not exactly like the one on your ID card or bank card, they would not accept it!
Well from the blog entry above, so much for HBCS - World's Local Bank.
Just saw that they have introduced digital fingerprinting in Heathrow. The trial is to last till end of Jan 07. The 2 outgoing flights that will have these trials will be to Hong Kong and Dubai. Although this is nothing new to Hong Kong citizens, who have since 2004, been using the e-channels to automate passengers passing through immigration. This is done after inserting their smart Hong Kong ID card. My parents have helped me successfully to apply for one. So I'll be able to pick it up, next time I am in Hong Kong.
It's a funny movie about Asian squatting. The thing is, squatting is a very country thing to do. But it's a funny vid anyway :
NY track down mysterious meats. From live frogs from unknown regions to bush meat. Mad isn't it? EU has stricter regulations on imports like this, so we should not have worries like foods of unknown origin. But no matter what ethnic group it is, they are always using the excuse of not understanding English. It must be frustrating for authorities, but I suppose when you are guilty of something, it's the easiest excuse one can use.
Another strange news I came across today was China's new super-rich must have, a wet nurse.
(more information on wet nurses). Hiring someone to breastfeed your own baby. I don't agree with it at all, that baby's bond with the mother is missing, and it's not natural.
And finally, Hong Kong's proposed laws on racial discrimination to help protect Hong Kong's ethnic minority. Crazy to think that a multi-cultural city like that still has racial discimination.
and a Happy New Year! 
