I believe the recent hot topic should be the incident of oil fish (Lepidocybium Flavobrunneum) is being touted and sold as cod fish.
My family eats fish almost every day. However, since the industrial dye - malachite green was found in eel and some kind of fish, we stopped to buy frozen fish fillets such as cod fish. We were not aware till the next day after the report about oil fish is being sold, my big brother found oil on his pants, and noted it was not caused by fish oil capsule. But we are lucky enough. Unlike other people, we did not have diarrhea or being embarrassed due to excessive secretion of oil from the body. We are lucky not to have our Dai-guai fed with the fish fillet. Otherwise ishe would not have diarrhea like that poor doggie but gone to heaven.
We had nothing to eat in 2006 since food scare over vegetable, fruit, seafood, poultry, egg, etc. were contaminated with suspect toxic and chemicals. Just as we think everything is back to normal in 2007, supermarket giant ParknShop has been accused of labeling oil fish as cod fish that caused excessive secretion of oil. Oh God! We else can we eat? How come Hong Kong has become 'Gourmet No Paradise'?
Who else can we trust?
My wish of 2007 is no SARS, bird flu, dengue fever, Norwalk virus can threat us, and we Hong Kong people can have something Good to eat.
2007年1月30日星期二
2007年1月24日星期三
My Japanese Pen-Pal came to Hong Kong (2)
After lunch I took Kaori and H to China Travel Service at China HK Centre HK-Macau Ferry Terminal for booking HK-Macau return ferry tickets and hotel room. The cheapest was HKD880 departed from Sheung Wan HK-Macau Ferry Terminal, HKD976 if departed from China HK Centre. I spoke up, "I paid only HKD760 for Christmas package for 2, how come it costs so much this time?" the staff replied that was impossible, I said, "I bought it, it won't be impossible." Immediately a flash back on my mind "that HKD760 was for a double room indeed, excluded ferry ticket…" of course I did not let the truth slip. I chose the Taipa Hotel which was the cheapest packet for them and led them to the Shun Tak Centre, just made sure they could find their way to get aboard.
After that, we did not have much time left, so I cut down the number of places. Here are the places we visited that day:-
12:10 pick them up from a guesthouse at Chung King Building
13:00 lunch at Kung Tak Lam at One Peking Road
14:30 China HK Centre HK-Macau Terminal
15:15 MTR to Sheung Wan Shung Wan HK-Macau Terminal by ==> Western Market
16:30 Tram to Admiralty Pacific Place for tea
17:40 Hong Kong Park (where I joined drawing competitions during secondary school period)18:25 Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens (very dark, so animals part closed, I had primary school trips there for drawing competition)
19:00 Peak Tram (~8 mins) ==> Peak Galleria
19:55 top floor of the Peak for Hong Kong nightview
20:00 Symphony of Lights (beautiful! Nightview is gorgeous! It could be clearer if no smog)20:25 Burger King for dinner, starving… I missed Burger King
21:30 Minibus downhill, cheaper and faster than bus, no queue too
22:00 New Star Ferry Pier in Central. Honestly, the new clock tower has failed to make a nostalgic style, the old one was far better
22:20 Start ferry to Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry Pier
22:35 TST MTR Station and said goodbye
22:40 took coach to home
23:30 backed to home, FoOtSoRe~
Although I am a big girl now, it was my first time to be a local guide for my foreign friends. Due to the tight schedule, I selected only a few places according to their requests. And these places are representative. Both Kaori and H adore Hong Kong's gorgeous night view. H who loves to photograph took lots of photos too.
After that, we did not have much time left, so I cut down the number of places. Here are the places we visited that day:-
12:10 pick them up from a guesthouse at Chung King Building
13:00 lunch at Kung Tak Lam at One Peking Road
14:30 China HK Centre HK-Macau Terminal
15:15 MTR to Sheung Wan Shung Wan HK-Macau Terminal by ==> Western Market
16:30 Tram to Admiralty Pacific Place for tea
17:40 Hong Kong Park (where I joined drawing competitions during secondary school period)18:25 Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens (very dark, so animals part closed, I had primary school trips there for drawing competition)
19:00 Peak Tram (~8 mins) ==> Peak Galleria
19:55 top floor of the Peak for Hong Kong nightview
20:00 Symphony of Lights (beautiful! Nightview is gorgeous! It could be clearer if no smog)20:25 Burger King for dinner, starving… I missed Burger King
21:30 Minibus downhill, cheaper and faster than bus, no queue too
22:00 New Star Ferry Pier in Central. Honestly, the new clock tower has failed to make a nostalgic style, the old one was far better
22:20 Start ferry to Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry Pier
22:35 TST MTR Station and said goodbye
22:40 took coach to home
23:30 backed to home, FoOtSoRe~
Although I am a big girl now, it was my first time to be a local guide for my foreign friends. Due to the tight schedule, I selected only a few places according to their requests. And these places are representative. Both Kaori and H adore Hong Kong's gorgeous night view. H who loves to photograph took lots of photos too.
What is more, it was a chilly day… Kaori did not bring any thick clothes because she thought we were having warm winter, as I told her in last December. Luckily, I took my windbreaker with me just in case, and let her had it, it did help a bit though could not stop her shivered on the Peak.
My Japanese Pen-Pal came to Hong Kong (1)
In the afternoon of Saturday 6th Jan 2007, I received an email from my Japanese Pen-pal Kaori, who is currently working in Sri Lanka. She is coming to Hong Kong, she is already on the plane! It is really thrilling! In the evening I received her call that she was staying in a guesthouse at Chung King Building. How did she find these guesthouses?
After confirmed with Kaori the meeting place (Tsim Sha Tsui MTR A1 entrance) and time (noon) of next day, I started my planning. Kaori is different from other Japanese girls I know, she is not crazy about LV, Gucci, Burberry, etc. On the contrary, she loves to visit historical places, temples and churches, to see real life of various cultures.
Therefore, after we met up the next day, I firstly took them to lunch. I planned to take them to Canton restaurant for our wan ton and tea with milk, but H wanted to have tea at Chinese restaurant and Kaori wanted something not greasy, so we went to Kung Tak Lam at One Peking Road for lunch. The table was opposite to the sea, the view could be the best if there was no smog. Kaori and H ordered Sichuan noodles with peppery sauce, Shanghai cold wan ton, Shanghai dumplings (in steaming basket), fried green onion pancake, steamed barbecued pork bun and egg tart with puff pastry crust. The Sichuan noodles was with peanut sauce instead of peppery sauce (vegetarian does not eat spicy food), so I who do not eat spicy food can have it; cold wan ton was nothing like Cantonese wan ton and was not tasty; the stuffing for dumplings was so loose… then I remembered the stuffing was not pork but vegetable; egg tart with puff pastry crust, well, I never liked eating the puff pastry crust; fried green onion pancake was not greasy, what it used seemed not green onion (vegetarian does not eat green onion), but it was still tasty; steamed barbecued pork bun is always my favourite, it was small and delicious.
The quality of the lunch was average. 5 dishes of dim sum, 1 noodle plus 3 tea cost almost $200, but luckily, I presented my HSBC credit card which gave us a discount of 15% off, so the net payment was $166. This lunch was not cheap yet. Probably we ate with the sea? The food of Ka Choi Seafood Restaurant located at Sam Shing Estate where my family and I normally go are tastier. 4 to 5 dishes of dim sum for 3 with tea only cost $50 to $60.
After confirmed with Kaori the meeting place (Tsim Sha Tsui MTR A1 entrance) and time (noon) of next day, I started my planning. Kaori is different from other Japanese girls I know, she is not crazy about LV, Gucci, Burberry, etc. On the contrary, she loves to visit historical places, temples and churches, to see real life of various cultures.
Therefore, after we met up the next day, I firstly took them to lunch. I planned to take them to Canton restaurant for our wan ton and tea with milk, but H wanted to have tea at Chinese restaurant and Kaori wanted something not greasy, so we went to Kung Tak Lam at One Peking Road for lunch. The table was opposite to the sea, the view could be the best if there was no smog. Kaori and H ordered Sichuan noodles with peppery sauce, Shanghai cold wan ton, Shanghai dumplings (in steaming basket), fried green onion pancake, steamed barbecued pork bun and egg tart with puff pastry crust. The Sichuan noodles was with peanut sauce instead of peppery sauce (vegetarian does not eat spicy food), so I who do not eat spicy food can have it; cold wan ton was nothing like Cantonese wan ton and was not tasty; the stuffing for dumplings was so loose… then I remembered the stuffing was not pork but vegetable; egg tart with puff pastry crust, well, I never liked eating the puff pastry crust; fried green onion pancake was not greasy, what it used seemed not green onion (vegetarian does not eat green onion), but it was still tasty; steamed barbecued pork bun is always my favourite, it was small and delicious.
The quality of the lunch was average. 5 dishes of dim sum, 1 noodle plus 3 tea cost almost $200, but luckily, I presented my HSBC credit card which gave us a discount of 15% off, so the net payment was $166. This lunch was not cheap yet. Probably we ate with the sea? The food of Ka Choi Seafood Restaurant located at Sam Shing Estate where my family and I normally go are tastier. 4 to 5 dishes of dim sum for 3 with tea only cost $50 to $60.
2007年1月22日星期一
Nowhere in Africa
In 1938, the German-Jewish Redlich family manages to escape from the Nazi terror to a remote farm in the primitive Kenya. They need to get through an ordeal since their sudden change from upper class to refugees. The Redlich couple, Walter and Jettel thinks they can start a new life after escaped to Kenya. However, when it comes a totally different living environment and unclear future, Walter is not able to cut Germany out of his heart because the rest of his family are being tortured by Nazi, Jettel resists every adjustment and always keeps in mind the upper class lifestyle. Contradictions and conflicts occur frequently between the couple. Living in impoverish country, the parents feel desperate. On the contrary, the shyly little daughter, five-year-old Regina becomes sturdy. She is not a bit afraid of the strange world. Instead, she is curious to everything in this new exotic place, very enthusiastic about learning local language and customs, and makes friends with the natives immediately. Regina insists to join festivals and play dramas with Black kids; even her mother's "Black kids have germs" can not stop her association with the natives. On the other hand, the family chef Owuor looks after Regina meticulously, his love makes the little girl loves him even more than loves her parents. Owuor is also the communication bridge between the parents and the daughter.
In addition, the appearance of Owuor makes the movie warm and full of love.
Then, who is the Angel of Africa exactly? Owuor defends the family, so he is the Angel; in Owuor and the natives" hearts, the innocent Regina is their Angel.
Director: Caroline LinkStarring: Juliane Köhler (as Jettel Redlich), Merab Ninidze (as Walter Redlich), Sidede Onyulo (as Owuor), Karoline Eckertz (as older Regina), Lea Kurka (as young Regina)
Chinese version originally posted at my old newsgroup a day in 2004, Revised & translated in Jan 2006.
2007年1月19日星期五
The exceptional Confucius
I went to Shandong for holiday in November 2006. Our tour guide Xiao Lung told us the life story of Confucius Kongzi when he was introducing Confucius Temple, Kong Descendants' Mansion, Kong's Graveyard, 'Kongzi, surname was Kong, forename was Qiu, courtesy name was Zhong Ni, English name was Johnny (smile)…'
The witty Xiao Lung also mentioned that, 'Kongzi was indeed very ugly! He had Goggle-eyed which were full of blood vessels, snubby nose, projected upper teeth, monster ears, projected brow, sycee-shaped head which water could fill the hollow, plus his huge figure, he's really scary! His father was 72 when he married Kongzi's mother who was just a teenager. She had no status because she was a concubine, so she had to give birth to Kongzi at a massif, so he's called Kong Qiu, which meant massif. Kong's father detested his ugly face and abandoned him in a wilderness. However, when he saw a wolf fed his son and eagles sheltered him with their wings amazingly, he deemed his son should be an exceptional child and bought him home. Kongzi was a scorn in his childhood, his father died when he was three, but he was still diligent in his study… he led a wandering life then… We had a TV series about Kongzi some years ago, at the time people criticized the actor was ugly and that was disrespectful. On the contrary, we had beautified him totally.'
I have heard this story before. The Kong's file described him exaggeratedly as a freak of nature.
In my opinion, the sculpture of Kongzi has also beautified 'Johnny Kong'. Eh? He looks a bit like Zhong Kui, a deity who protects us from evil spirits.
Eh, I think it is no good to talk about Kongzi like that…
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confucius
The witty Xiao Lung also mentioned that, 'Kongzi was indeed very ugly! He had Goggle-eyed which were full of blood vessels, snubby nose, projected upper teeth, monster ears, projected brow, sycee-shaped head which water could fill the hollow, plus his huge figure, he's really scary! His father was 72 when he married Kongzi's mother who was just a teenager. She had no status because she was a concubine, so she had to give birth to Kongzi at a massif, so he's called Kong Qiu, which meant massif. Kong's father detested his ugly face and abandoned him in a wilderness. However, when he saw a wolf fed his son and eagles sheltered him with their wings amazingly, he deemed his son should be an exceptional child and bought him home. Kongzi was a scorn in his childhood, his father died when he was three, but he was still diligent in his study… he led a wandering life then… We had a TV series about Kongzi some years ago, at the time people criticized the actor was ugly and that was disrespectful. On the contrary, we had beautified him totally.'
I have heard this story before. The Kong's file described him exaggeratedly as a freak of nature.
In my opinion, the sculpture of Kongzi has also beautified 'Johnny Kong'. Eh? He looks a bit like Zhong Kui, a deity who protects us from evil spirits.Eh, I think it is no good to talk about Kongzi like that…
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confucius
2007年1月16日星期二
Charlie Brown Café
I went to a Charlie Brown Café one evening for my friends' gathering. I had been longed for visiting there since I knew its existence, because I am a fans of SNOOPY. You can see how excited I was. 
It is a chic and lovely café with French windows, comfortable sofa, decorated with characters of PEANUTS everywhere: Charlie Brown, Lucy Van Pelt, Peppermint Patty, Linus Van Pelt, Marcie, Sally Brown, Woodstock, etc., and my all time favourite SNOOPY! The Pilot Snoopy is undoubtedly the smartest. We can also watch the Snoopy cartoons playing continuously at the middle of the café.
Though it is a café, there are not many choices. Well, we still have ordered some drinks:-
Charlie Mocha – its introduction mentioned 'double espresso' that made me gave up but my friend said it was much better then the 'S-bucks';
Linus Latte – I was attracted by its mug on the menu but it came out a paper cup. Well, there was nothing special except it kept me awake from sleep till after 5am.
Besides, these were the food we ordered:-
Carbonara – clams, mushroom and cheese with fettuccine, quite okay;
Rye bread with chicken salad – came out White bread… didn't the cashier knows English?
Charlie's Pasta Pizza – it was special, but wrapped spaghetti inside was not a good idea… too tough and hard, difficult to be cut by knife;
Charlie's Drumsticks – small but tasty, served with potato and apple salad
Also desserts:-
Charlie's Angels – looked at the presentation, we thought it was same as the soft and layered cake (probably Angle Cake) we had in the UK, but it was far from it, we were so disappointed;
Charlie's Waffle – molded with 4 characters, but I can only remember Charlie Brown and Snoopy, 'oh sorry Snoopy, I have to cut you and eat you…'
There are a few types of merchandise of Snoopy and Woodstock such as mugs, plush toys, badges and key rings at the shop, but I did not buy any… I had to stay away, otherwise I would have gone crazy.
It was a nice visit and I think I will visit there again, just have a cup of cappuccino and sandwiches~ and enjoy sitting with Snoopy.
Though it is a café, there are not many choices. Well, we still have ordered some drinks:-
Charlie Mocha – its introduction mentioned 'double espresso' that made me gave up but my friend said it was much better then the 'S-bucks';
Linus Latte – I was attracted by its mug on the menu but it came out a paper cup. Well, there was nothing special except it kept me awake from sleep till after 5am.
Besides, these were the food we ordered:-
Carbonara – clams, mushroom and cheese with fettuccine, quite okay;
Rye bread with chicken salad – came out White bread… didn't the cashier knows English?
Charlie's Pasta Pizza – it was special, but wrapped spaghetti inside was not a good idea… too tough and hard, difficult to be cut by knife;
Charlie's Drumsticks – small but tasty, served with potato and apple salad
Also desserts:-
Charlie's Angels – looked at the presentation, we thought it was same as the soft and layered cake (probably Angle Cake) we had in the UK, but it was far from it, we were so disappointed;
Charlie's Waffle – molded with 4 characters, but I can only remember Charlie Brown and Snoopy, 'oh sorry Snoopy, I have to cut you and eat you…'
There are a few types of merchandise of Snoopy and Woodstock such as mugs, plush toys, badges and key rings at the shop, but I did not buy any… I had to stay away, otherwise I would have gone crazy.It was a nice visit and I think I will visit there again, just have a cup of cappuccino and sandwiches~ and enjoy sitting with Snoopy.
2007年1月15日星期一
Are we hoaxed?
Regarding the post about United Nations will abandon Traditional Chinese and change to Simplified Chinese in 2008 I uploaded to previous blog (edited and re-posted on this blog on 14th Jan), I have got a reply from a Taiwanese net pal: the spokesperson of Foreign Affairs clarified the fact on 11th April, 2006 that this is not true.
The Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs has checked with the UN after the news in March 2006, and was told that as to respect the sovereign state of China, the UN started to use Simplified Chinese since 1971 and there is no prohibition against using Traditional Chinese. Therefore, that news was only a rumor.
Even if we were told the truth, just one day before I wrote that topic I heard presenters were discussing this case on radio, as well as radio news about 45,000 people signed to against the UN's abolishing Traditional Chinese. Would there be any news to clarify the truth but I did not notice?
Then are we all hoaxed?
Sources: http://www.ettoday.com/2006/04/11/91-1927685.htm and http://zh.wikinews.org/wiki/%E8%81%AF%E5%90%88%E5%9C%8B%E6%97%A9%E5%B7%B2%E5%81%9C%E7%94%A8%E7%B9%81%E9%AB%94%E4%B8%AD%E6%96%87
The Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs has checked with the UN after the news in March 2006, and was told that as to respect the sovereign state of China, the UN started to use Simplified Chinese since 1971 and there is no prohibition against using Traditional Chinese. Therefore, that news was only a rumor.
Even if we were told the truth, just one day before I wrote that topic I heard presenters were discussing this case on radio, as well as radio news about 45,000 people signed to against the UN's abolishing Traditional Chinese. Would there be any news to clarify the truth but I did not notice?
Then are we all hoaxed?
Sources: http://www.ettoday.com/2006/04/11/91-1927685.htm and http://zh.wikinews.org/wiki/%E8%81%AF%E5%90%88%E5%9C%8B%E6%97%A9%E5%B7%B2%E5%81%9C%E7%94%A8%E7%B9%81%E9%AB%94%E4%B8%AD%E6%96%87
2007年1月14日星期日
Paris, Je t'aime
Paris, Je t'aime is a collective film consists of 18 shorts about 'Love' which each story is written and directed by various International Directors. This film introduces every stratum of the society and shows us the today Paris through people living in different times, cultures and environments. Some of the shorts are about foreigners visiting Paris, for the purpose of exploring every corner of this city to enhance the message of Paris is the 'City of Love'.
I was impressed by these shorts:-
Quais de Senine
Director: Gurinder Chadha
Some men expect to attract women by making frivolous remarks but failed; on the contrary, women favor gentlemen who respect them. Same as the Muslim girl, I despise those men who make fun of women.
Loin du 16e
Director: Walter Salles, Daniela Thomas
Cast: Catalina Sandino Moreno
A young mother takes care of other's baby as a nanny, while her own baby is left at the day-care centre; she sings the same nursery rhyme to comfort her baby and master's baby, but gives different feeling… Mommy is missing baby now, is baby also missing mama?
Bastille
Director: Isabel Coixet
Cast: Sergio Castellitto
An unfaithfully husband determined to look after his cancered wife … I was moved and nearly wept. Why people always do not cherish till they are going to lose? Besides, the husband said he bought CHEAP Agnès b with his wife, that Agnès b instead is a favorite brand of many Hong Kong youngsters. Anyway, my French friend told me long ago that Agnès b in France is simply a Giordano.
Tour Eiffel
Director: Sylvain Chomet
Cast: Yolande Moreau, Paul Putner
A pantomime lives contentedly with his imaginary cat, milk, cabinet and car. His drollery makes people a belly laugh, but behind his merry face is a lonely heart. Fortunately, he finally met his soul mate for life. If we can smile at frustrations and make the best of things like this pantomime, then we are able to make our spirit healthy.
Parc Monceau
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Cast: Nick Nolte, Ludivine Sagnier
When we were suspecting the relationship of the old English speaking man and the young French woman according to their sly conversation, to our amazement, they are father and daughter! This really surprises us. Simultaneously, it shows that no matter what life we are having, parents will always support us, but we may not feel their love until we become parents.
Faubourg Saint-Denis
Director: Tom Tykwer
Cast: Natalie Portman
A beautiful actress broke up with her blind boyfriend. Her acting was outstanding, that's why her boyfriend misunderstood that she wants to break up. However, she should not make fun of break up. That's what we have to aware, be responsible. Natalie Portman is a real beauty, she looks so beautiful in this short. By the way, Nat's dialogue on phone at the beginning likes a beautiful poem, though a sad one.
I don't think
Actually in Hong Kong, Love is everywhere.
Directed by: Olivier Assayas, Frederic Auburtin
Source: http://www.parisjetaime-lefilm.com/
I was impressed by these shorts:-
Quais de Senine
Director: Gurinder Chadha
Some men expect to attract women by making frivolous remarks but failed; on the contrary, women favor gentlemen who respect them. Same as the Muslim girl, I despise those men who make fun of women.
Loin du 16e
Director: Walter Salles, Daniela Thomas
Cast: Catalina Sandino Moreno
A young mother takes care of other's baby as a nanny, while her own baby is left at the day-care centre; she sings the same nursery rhyme to comfort her baby and master's baby, but gives different feeling… Mommy is missing baby now, is baby also missing mama?
Bastille
Director: Isabel Coixet
Cast: Sergio Castellitto
An unfaithfully husband determined to look after his cancered wife … I was moved and nearly wept. Why people always do not cherish till they are going to lose? Besides, the husband said he bought CHEAP Agnès b with his wife, that Agnès b instead is a favorite brand of many Hong Kong youngsters. Anyway, my French friend told me long ago that Agnès b in France is simply a Giordano.
Tour Eiffel
Director: Sylvain Chomet
Cast: Yolande Moreau, Paul Putner
A pantomime lives contentedly with his imaginary cat, milk, cabinet and car. His drollery makes people a belly laugh, but behind his merry face is a lonely heart. Fortunately, he finally met his soul mate for life. If we can smile at frustrations and make the best of things like this pantomime, then we are able to make our spirit healthy.
Parc Monceau
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Cast: Nick Nolte, Ludivine Sagnier
When we were suspecting the relationship of the old English speaking man and the young French woman according to their sly conversation, to our amazement, they are father and daughter! This really surprises us. Simultaneously, it shows that no matter what life we are having, parents will always support us, but we may not feel their love until we become parents.
Faubourg Saint-Denis
Director: Tom Tykwer
Cast: Natalie Portman
A beautiful actress broke up with her blind boyfriend. Her acting was outstanding, that's why her boyfriend misunderstood that she wants to break up. However, she should not make fun of break up. That's what we have to aware, be responsible. Natalie Portman is a real beauty, she looks so beautiful in this short. By the way, Nat's dialogue on phone at the beginning likes a beautiful poem, though a sad one.
I don't think
Actually in Hong Kong, Love is everywhere.
Directed by: Olivier Assayas, Frederic Auburtin
Source: http://www.parisjetaime-lefilm.com/
Traditional or Simplified?
A few months ago, many Chinese people and I were greatly astonished by the news that United Nations announced to officially replace using Traditional Chinese by Simplified Chinese from 2008.
Traditional Chinese was simplified from pictograph. Each component of each character is a meaningful picture, a unique ideographic which provides visual comprehensibility, e.g.「手」looks like a hand,「人」looks like a man,「國」is a Country formed with city walls surrounding a mouth (person) and a dagger-axe.
The Traditional characters of today first appeared with clerical script during Han Dynasty and became stable since the 5th Century during the Southern and Northern Dynasties. However, traditional Chinese has many strokes, plus its complex structure make troubles to writing. Thus, simplified characters appeared in different places nationally. The Chinese government believed that the traditional Chinese was too difficult to learn and caused the problem of illiteracy in majority (mainly peasants), therefore, the government started to study character reformation in 1951 and carried out the standardized Simplified Chinese policy in 1956, with the aims to unify Chinese, make it easy to identify, fast to write and to eliminate illiteracy.
Yet over half a century has gone now, over 1.2 billion people of the 1.3 billions are still illiterate. This clearly shows that simplified Chinese does not help to eliminate illiteracy, as illiteracy is the result of ineffective social policy and frequent corruptions.
I learnt simplified Chinese at secondary school, used it for coursework and exams, since subjects like Chinese language, Chinese history and Chinese literature accept using the simplified. Otherwise, we need to write hundreds of Traditional Chinese characters for essays for these subjects, it would be so tiresome especially to write pages quickly during exams.
Using Simplified Chinese is convenient. Nevertheless, why Hong Kong people, Taiwanese and overseas Chinese oppose the United Nations' adoption of simplified Chinese?
1. Characters with more than 10 strokes have to be cut down to below 10 strokes, but those below 10 strokes were unnecessarily simplified, e.g.「馬」(horse) is already simple, but the simplified「马」seemed to have horsehair shaved; though the simplified is easier to write, it loses the sense of beauty, the visual comprehensibility and the vigorous of Chinese.
2. Some unrelated characters are simplified and look similar, but some others sharing the same component do not need to be simplified:「勸」(persuade) became「劝」,「灌」(irrigate) is still「灌」; some words are different in Traditional Chinese but are same in simplified:「乾」(dry) is「干」but「幹」(to do) is also「干」. This indeed raises the complexity.
3. Some people fear that the UN's decision of adopting simplified Chinese would be a pressure causing Chinese worldwide to abandon the Traditional characters. Furthermore, as the mainland Chinese who were born after 1956 do not know Traditional characters, a few decades later,
Traditional Chinese would possibly be obsolete, then even archaeologist cannot decipher Chinese history and culture recorded with these characters. This is a risk of losing our 5,000 years old culture. Someone conjecture that it is a conspiracy to destroy Chinese culture.
From the UN's point of view, China is raising in influence nowadays, its 1.3 billion of population are using simplified Chinese in contrast with only 30 millions are using the Traditional Chinese, it is no reason to keep on using the latter administratively.
Hence, to simplify the Traditional Chinese is a consequence of evolution that no cause for much criticism should be made, it is not either any conspiracy.
Humans always prefer to pick up the easiest. Many foreign Chinese learners who are attracted by Chinese culture lose the courage to the difficult Traditional characters and turn to the simplified. Notwithstanding the new trend, Traditional Chinese can stand the test of time, and we won't lose the 5,000 years old history that easily. As long as we wish to keep the Traditional characters and to protect the traditional culture, why not we Hong Kong people, Taiwanese, or overseas Chinese learn and understand both characters ourselves?
Traditional Chinese was simplified from pictograph. Each component of each character is a meaningful picture, a unique ideographic which provides visual comprehensibility, e.g.「手」looks like a hand,「人」looks like a man,「國」is a Country formed with city walls surrounding a mouth (person) and a dagger-axe.
The Traditional characters of today first appeared with clerical script during Han Dynasty and became stable since the 5th Century during the Southern and Northern Dynasties. However, traditional Chinese has many strokes, plus its complex structure make troubles to writing. Thus, simplified characters appeared in different places nationally. The Chinese government believed that the traditional Chinese was too difficult to learn and caused the problem of illiteracy in majority (mainly peasants), therefore, the government started to study character reformation in 1951 and carried out the standardized Simplified Chinese policy in 1956, with the aims to unify Chinese, make it easy to identify, fast to write and to eliminate illiteracy.
Yet over half a century has gone now, over 1.2 billion people of the 1.3 billions are still illiterate. This clearly shows that simplified Chinese does not help to eliminate illiteracy, as illiteracy is the result of ineffective social policy and frequent corruptions.
I learnt simplified Chinese at secondary school, used it for coursework and exams, since subjects like Chinese language, Chinese history and Chinese literature accept using the simplified. Otherwise, we need to write hundreds of Traditional Chinese characters for essays for these subjects, it would be so tiresome especially to write pages quickly during exams.
Using Simplified Chinese is convenient. Nevertheless, why Hong Kong people, Taiwanese and overseas Chinese oppose the United Nations' adoption of simplified Chinese?
1. Characters with more than 10 strokes have to be cut down to below 10 strokes, but those below 10 strokes were unnecessarily simplified, e.g.「馬」(horse) is already simple, but the simplified「马」seemed to have horsehair shaved; though the simplified is easier to write, it loses the sense of beauty, the visual comprehensibility and the vigorous of Chinese.
2. Some unrelated characters are simplified and look similar, but some others sharing the same component do not need to be simplified:「勸」(persuade) became「劝」,「灌」(irrigate) is still「灌」; some words are different in Traditional Chinese but are same in simplified:「乾」(dry) is「干」but「幹」(to do) is also「干」. This indeed raises the complexity.
3. Some people fear that the UN's decision of adopting simplified Chinese would be a pressure causing Chinese worldwide to abandon the Traditional characters. Furthermore, as the mainland Chinese who were born after 1956 do not know Traditional characters, a few decades later,
Traditional Chinese would possibly be obsolete, then even archaeologist cannot decipher Chinese history and culture recorded with these characters. This is a risk of losing our 5,000 years old culture. Someone conjecture that it is a conspiracy to destroy Chinese culture.
From the UN's point of view, China is raising in influence nowadays, its 1.3 billion of population are using simplified Chinese in contrast with only 30 millions are using the Traditional Chinese, it is no reason to keep on using the latter administratively.
Hence, to simplify the Traditional Chinese is a consequence of evolution that no cause for much criticism should be made, it is not either any conspiracy.
Humans always prefer to pick up the easiest. Many foreign Chinese learners who are attracted by Chinese culture lose the courage to the difficult Traditional characters and turn to the simplified. Notwithstanding the new trend, Traditional Chinese can stand the test of time, and we won't lose the 5,000 years old history that easily. As long as we wish to keep the Traditional characters and to protect the traditional culture, why not we Hong Kong people, Taiwanese, or overseas Chinese learn and understand both characters ourselves?
The Heat of learning Chinese
Just watched the Sunday Report 2006 someday ago about the Heat of learning Chinese in the West, due to the effect of Beijing will host the Olympic Game 2008.
In America, there are over 600 universities and 100 middle and primary schools already have or going to have Chinese as academic subject. Some schools in Washington D.C. have even set Chinese course as compulsory. Chinese became a subject of the Advance Placement Program for high school from this autumn, and will be included in examinations in some universities next year. If a Chinese imported Chinese teacher can pass both Putonghua and English level test, the monthly salary ranking will be from over HKD20,000 to over HKD30,000. After 3 or 4 years, the first group of local university trained Chinese teachers will graduate to ease the short of Chinese teachers. Someone of the educational circles stated that, the 21st Century will be the world of China and Putonghua will replace Spanish to become American's second language.
In addition, as China is becoming powerful and influential, Chinese nannies who are proficient in Putonghua are now hot property. Some parents like Jim Rogers, founder of Quantum Fund, pay high salary for them, because they want their kids to learn the most difficult language at early age so that they can have predominant role when they grow up.
According to a nanny agency, there is a strict standard of choosing Chinese nanny. The nanny should adore children, be proficient in Putonghua and experienced with rising up child. However, not many nannies can fulfil all requirements. That is the reason why the annual wage of an ordinary Chinese nanny is about 60,000USD and can reach up to 100,000USD for a senior.
Apparently, it is easier for a Mainland Chinese teacher to receive high pay for teaching Chinese in America, than the teachers from Hong Kong. Nevertheless, as Hong Kong people's rising Putonghua standard, the advantageous position of familiarity with Western culture and higher English level, those experienced teachers and nannies may take the proficiency test and get a 2:1 for teaching qualification, then seize this golden opportunity for good.
I am a Hong Kong Chinese, with fair English, Putonghua proficiency test pass, okay well, I do think I need to introspect and, keep it up.
In America, there are over 600 universities and 100 middle and primary schools already have or going to have Chinese as academic subject. Some schools in Washington D.C. have even set Chinese course as compulsory. Chinese became a subject of the Advance Placement Program for high school from this autumn, and will be included in examinations in some universities next year. If a Chinese imported Chinese teacher can pass both Putonghua and English level test, the monthly salary ranking will be from over HKD20,000 to over HKD30,000. After 3 or 4 years, the first group of local university trained Chinese teachers will graduate to ease the short of Chinese teachers. Someone of the educational circles stated that, the 21st Century will be the world of China and Putonghua will replace Spanish to become American's second language.
In addition, as China is becoming powerful and influential, Chinese nannies who are proficient in Putonghua are now hot property. Some parents like Jim Rogers, founder of Quantum Fund, pay high salary for them, because they want their kids to learn the most difficult language at early age so that they can have predominant role when they grow up.
According to a nanny agency, there is a strict standard of choosing Chinese nanny. The nanny should adore children, be proficient in Putonghua and experienced with rising up child. However, not many nannies can fulfil all requirements. That is the reason why the annual wage of an ordinary Chinese nanny is about 60,000USD and can reach up to 100,000USD for a senior.
Apparently, it is easier for a Mainland Chinese teacher to receive high pay for teaching Chinese in America, than the teachers from Hong Kong. Nevertheless, as Hong Kong people's rising Putonghua standard, the advantageous position of familiarity with Western culture and higher English level, those experienced teachers and nannies may take the proficiency test and get a 2:1 for teaching qualification, then seize this golden opportunity for good.
I am a Hong Kong Chinese, with fair English, Putonghua proficiency test pass, okay well, I do think I need to introspect and, keep it up.
2007年1月13日星期六
2006 Have a warm Christmas in Macau
A silly me accompanied two friends on a journey to Macau for Christmas 2006. I nearly do not know the places because I have not been backed to Macau for Christmas for over 10 years after Grandparents moved to Hong Kong. I never memorized the routes when I went out with others, but this time I had to walk around with my friends, got on and off buses without any idea, and we could get to the destinations. Hey, we have lucky stars over us.
This trip was mainly for eat and walk, ate from day to night, walked from morning till dark, our stomach were full, feet were with corns.
My favourite still is the very delicious Pork Sandwich of Oi Kei, behind the Antigo Posto de Bombeiros (Old Fire Station) of Taipa Village. My friends questioned how special Oi Kei Pork Sandwich is? The specialty is: the pork is fresh and soft with bones, and is fried lightly, unlike Dai Lei's oily deep fried.
O Santos Comida Portuguese at Rua do Cunha still keeps its' very best standard, very tasty. My friends all agreed that the food and service there are the best.
Casino is everywhere in Macau, but can find no one on the streets. We went sightseeing the 12 casinos, the outlook design of Sands and Wynne are very plain, all in brown, nothing a bit of the Las Vegas. The constructing new Casino Lisboa looks exactly like a font. For the residential, they are match box with 99% brown outlook. There is nothing impressive even it is called a Mansion.
We also went to the new hot "must visit" Macau Fisherman"s Wharf. However, it is the most disappointing one. They tried to rebuild the Volcano, Coloseum, Vatican City and European style housings to show the different cultures and styles of countries they chose, but they failed. The work is too slack. I can see there were no strict inspections over the work.
* Coloseum at Fisherman's Wharf
In addition, the atmosphere in restaurants and shops isn't pleasant. There were a few customers but gave us impolite and slow service, we had to wait for ages for a tea or rice.
Lifestyles are so different. Live in Macau is leisure, while in Hong Kong is a hurricane. Hong Kong people see time as money so that everything has to be quick. On the contrary, Macau people enjoy leisure and carefree mood that everything is unhurried. THIS made us sick.
Initially I wanted to have a boat trip at inner harbour again, but sadly the pier next to the Maritime Museum has been constructed into a road connecting the Sai Van Bridge. So we went to S. Francisco Garden, through a path to Guia Hill Municipal Park. On the way we passed and played some facilities for health, did a little exercise, then went straight to Guia Fort & Lighthouse for some photo shootings. I like the western style architecture, though it is not very outstanding, it is a very romantic place for seeing sunset. Unfortunately, the beautiful scene was destroyed by constructions sites around.
* Guia Lighthouse
After 1999's reunion, Macau has become stronger and wealthier. She is experiencing a boom in economics. Infrastructure, real estates, casinos and tourism are all developing rapidly; this change is much larger than in 2003: flooding in new mainland immigrants, construction sites, imbalanced social development and the green caused air pollution. For example, the brook in Taipa Village is now covered by buildings, Taipa became a manmade basin… it was a sunny day with temperature 20 degree Celsius, but I felt it's hot like a summer.
Even a gentle wind breeze over my face at inner harbour, trees and grasses dance with me at Guia Park, fresh air leaves me forever.
This trip was mainly for eat and walk, ate from day to night, walked from morning till dark, our stomach were full, feet were with corns.
My favourite still is the very delicious Pork Sandwich of Oi Kei, behind the Antigo Posto de Bombeiros (Old Fire Station) of Taipa Village. My friends questioned how special Oi Kei Pork Sandwich is? The specialty is: the pork is fresh and soft with bones, and is fried lightly, unlike Dai Lei's oily deep fried.
O Santos Comida Portuguese at Rua do Cunha still keeps its' very best standard, very tasty. My friends all agreed that the food and service there are the best.
Casino is everywhere in Macau, but can find no one on the streets. We went sightseeing the 12 casinos, the outlook design of Sands and Wynne are very plain, all in brown, nothing a bit of the Las Vegas. The constructing new Casino Lisboa looks exactly like a font. For the residential, they are match box with 99% brown outlook. There is nothing impressive even it is called a Mansion.
We also went to the new hot "must visit" Macau Fisherman"s Wharf. However, it is the most disappointing one. They tried to rebuild the Volcano, Coloseum, Vatican City and European style housings to show the different cultures and styles of countries they chose, but they failed. The work is too slack. I can see there were no strict inspections over the work.
* Coloseum at Fisherman's WharfIn addition, the atmosphere in restaurants and shops isn't pleasant. There were a few customers but gave us impolite and slow service, we had to wait for ages for a tea or rice.
Lifestyles are so different. Live in Macau is leisure, while in Hong Kong is a hurricane. Hong Kong people see time as money so that everything has to be quick. On the contrary, Macau people enjoy leisure and carefree mood that everything is unhurried. THIS made us sick.
Initially I wanted to have a boat trip at inner harbour again, but sadly the pier next to the Maritime Museum has been constructed into a road connecting the Sai Van Bridge. So we went to S. Francisco Garden, through a path to Guia Hill Municipal Park. On the way we passed and played some facilities for health, did a little exercise, then went straight to Guia Fort & Lighthouse for some photo shootings. I like the western style architecture, though it is not very outstanding, it is a very romantic place for seeing sunset. Unfortunately, the beautiful scene was destroyed by constructions sites around.
* Guia LighthouseAfter 1999's reunion, Macau has become stronger and wealthier. She is experiencing a boom in economics. Infrastructure, real estates, casinos and tourism are all developing rapidly; this change is much larger than in 2003: flooding in new mainland immigrants, construction sites, imbalanced social development and the green caused air pollution. For example, the brook in Taipa Village is now covered by buildings, Taipa became a manmade basin… it was a sunny day with temperature 20 degree Celsius, but I felt it's hot like a summer.
Even a gentle wind breeze over my face at inner harbour, trees and grasses dance with me at Guia Park, fresh air leaves me forever.
2007年1月11日星期四
More about ME
Personality:
Impetuous, naive, perceptual, low-profile, clear mind of likes & dislikes, ties of friendship, stubborn…
Hobbies and Interests:
drawing pictures, literature, music, art, cycling, travel, lost in bookshops, making friends, RAF, Egypt, talk to myself, look at the mirror and say "keep it up!"
Good at:
Mandarin Chinese, English, little Japanese, dreaming
Bad at:
Memorizing routes, mathematics, arguing, foul language
Other Skills:
Piano (Grade 8 only), drawing pictures (comics, sketching), singing (Soprano in choir), cooking (not too bad)
Who I hate:
Gossipmongers, who break promises, grasping, selfish, villain
Wishes:
To be an architect or interior designer, proficient in languages, get a desirable job, marry the best man, travel around the world, have a little white house or lighthouse with whirly staircase
My haunts:
Library, bookstore, no fixed address
My Favorite-
Colour:
White, red, light colour – pink, lime green, light yellow
Places:
Home, libraries, bookstores, comfortable places with flowers, trees and grassland, near the sea
Food & Drinks:
Chicken wings, Shanghai noodles & dumpling, vegetables, mami cooked food, soya milk, fruits, tomato, potato, cream soda
Books & Authors:
Peanuts, Barbapapa, Patlabor, Reader's Digest, Agatha Christie's, Sherlock Holmes Series, Brian L. Weiss's, Anne of Green Gables series, Cao Yu's (Chinese Dramatist)
Movies:
E.T., Totoro, Laputa, Billy Elliot, Evita, Matrix, Kill Bill, Anne of Green Gables series
Singers:
Faye Wong, Anita Mui, Ah Bull (Tan Kheng Siong), MaDonna, BeeGees, Queen, Bon Jovi, Dido, Enya, Sarah Brightman, Chake & Aska, Aikawa Nanase, Every Little Thing
Musicians:
Beethoven, Mozart, Andrew-Lloyd Webber
TV Shows:
I'll show them who's boss, E.R., Friends, National Geographic, BBC, Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Blind Date, Cold Case, C.S.I.: Miami, Who wants to be a Millionnaire?, Doctor Who?
Comics & Animation Characters:
Peanuts - Snoopy; Barbapapa; Sailor Moon – Mercury / Mizuno Ami; Patlabor - Noa Izumi; Laputa; Totoro; Peter Pan; Hime-chan's Ribbon - Nonohara Himeko & Borota; Snowman
Actors:
Chow Yun Fat, Keanu Reeves, Colin Firth, Alan Rickman, Robin Williams, Tom Hanks, George Clooney
Actresses:
Josephine Siu, Natalie Portman, Cate Blanchett, Nicole Kidman, Noriko Sakai, Adachi Yumi
Idols:
Helen Keller, Qiu Jin (female anti-Qing Empire revolutionist)
Animals:
Dolphins, tortoises, dogs
Flowers / Plants:
Bamboo, lotus, lilies, narcissus, Delphiniums
Impetuous, naive, perceptual, low-profile, clear mind of likes & dislikes, ties of friendship, stubborn…
Hobbies and Interests:
drawing pictures, literature, music, art, cycling, travel, lost in bookshops, making friends, RAF, Egypt, talk to myself, look at the mirror and say "keep it up!"
Good at:
Mandarin Chinese, English, little Japanese, dreaming
Bad at:
Memorizing routes, mathematics, arguing, foul language
Other Skills:
Piano (Grade 8 only), drawing pictures (comics, sketching), singing (Soprano in choir), cooking (not too bad)
Who I hate:
Gossipmongers, who break promises, grasping, selfish, villain
Wishes:
To be an architect or interior designer, proficient in languages, get a desirable job, marry the best man, travel around the world, have a little white house or lighthouse with whirly staircase
My haunts:
Library, bookstore, no fixed address
My Favorite-
Colour:
White, red, light colour – pink, lime green, light yellow
Places:
Home, libraries, bookstores, comfortable places with flowers, trees and grassland, near the sea
Food & Drinks:
Chicken wings, Shanghai noodles & dumpling, vegetables, mami cooked food, soya milk, fruits, tomato, potato, cream soda
Books & Authors:
Peanuts, Barbapapa, Patlabor, Reader's Digest, Agatha Christie's, Sherlock Holmes Series, Brian L. Weiss's, Anne of Green Gables series, Cao Yu's (Chinese Dramatist)
Movies:
E.T., Totoro, Laputa, Billy Elliot, Evita, Matrix, Kill Bill, Anne of Green Gables series
Singers:
Faye Wong, Anita Mui, Ah Bull (Tan Kheng Siong), MaDonna, BeeGees, Queen, Bon Jovi, Dido, Enya, Sarah Brightman, Chake & Aska, Aikawa Nanase, Every Little Thing
Musicians:
Beethoven, Mozart, Andrew-Lloyd Webber
TV Shows:
I'll show them who's boss, E.R., Friends, National Geographic, BBC, Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Blind Date, Cold Case, C.S.I.: Miami, Who wants to be a Millionnaire?, Doctor Who?
Comics & Animation Characters:
Peanuts - Snoopy; Barbapapa; Sailor Moon – Mercury / Mizuno Ami; Patlabor - Noa Izumi; Laputa; Totoro; Peter Pan; Hime-chan's Ribbon - Nonohara Himeko & Borota; Snowman
Actors:
Chow Yun Fat, Keanu Reeves, Colin Firth, Alan Rickman, Robin Williams, Tom Hanks, George Clooney
Actresses:
Josephine Siu, Natalie Portman, Cate Blanchett, Nicole Kidman, Noriko Sakai, Adachi Yumi
Idols:
Helen Keller, Qiu Jin (female anti-Qing Empire revolutionist)
Animals:
Dolphins, tortoises, dogs
Flowers / Plants:
Bamboo, lotus, lilies, narcissus, Delphiniums
2007年1月9日星期二
Announcement of New Blogs
My first blog at Blogspirit (http://gertie-yunis.blogspirit.com/) has expired on 24th Dec 2006 and so posts will be moving to Sina blog, Yahoo blog and Blogspot. Some more old posts originally posted at closed Newsgroup will be moving to these 3 blogs as well:-
Chinese Version
Gertie-Yunis's Cottage
http://uhotaru.mysinablog.com/
English Version
Gertie-Yunis's Villa
http://hk.myblog.yahoo.com/gertie-yunis/
Gertie-Yunis's Manor
http://gertie-yunis.blogspot.com/
Though my Blogspirit was a bilingual, I will separate them into Chinese and English blogs. Therefore, there maybe only English or Chinese version for some topics. Hmm, I will try to translate if I can have more spare time.
Chinese Version
Gertie-Yunis's Cottage
http://uhotaru.mysinablog.com/
English Version
Gertie-Yunis's Villa
http://hk.myblog.yahoo.com/gertie-yunis/
Gertie-Yunis's Manor
http://gertie-yunis.blogspot.com/
Though my Blogspirit was a bilingual, I will separate them into Chinese and English blogs. Therefore, there maybe only English or Chinese version for some topics. Hmm, I will try to translate if I can have more spare time.
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