Optimism

I was reading my sister's weblog this afternoon, and agreed with her on two issues. First, we can be good but we cannot be too-obliging. Too-obliging would be seen as too-easily-be-bullied. I like to see myself more of a confident, competent, efficient and optimistic person. My life philosoph(ies) are: I don't want to be a doormat, I don't want to be a parrot, I don't want to be a cold-blanket, I don't want to be a sour grape & I definitely don't want to be a flower vase (as if I am qualified (",), well beauty is in the eyes of beholder)!

Second, actors should be versatile in their acting. This is why I could never endure sitting 120 minutes to watch any of Tom Cruise's MI movies. He is always the hero, and all girls are flower vases - worse is flower vase that blew up a Lamborghini!

I wish there is a version of MI:3 that doesn't has Tom Cruise in it. I am sure there are other Hollywood actors who could carry the role of Ethan Hunt better than an idiot who jumped up and down on Oprah's couch.

Keeping The Faith

Tagline of the movie "Keeping The Faith": If you have to believe in something, you might as well believe in love.

"I love my parents
I love my siblings
I love my good friends
(a-hem) I love my work
I love the feeling of I am being loved in return"

So Pancake-y!

This caricature is so me! So Pancake-y!

My Hamster

I've decided to name my hamster "Jiji". Initially, his name was "Harry Potter". If you may recall, my brother thinks he is more "Hagrid" than "Harry Potter". In the past 4 weeks, I found my hamster looked stupid every time I called him "Hagrid". Somehow, "Hagrid" reminds me of haggard (the name is too stressful). After watching the animation film "Kiki's Delivery Service", I've decided to name my hamster "Jiji".

I've taken some photos of Jiji yesterday, but they all turned out too dark because I took them using my Nokia7610 (probably it's high time to invest in a new handphone!?). I'll try post Jiji's photo here around Mothers' Day.

Cherish The Children Foundation

On Saturday, my brother and I were having a light conversation involving Aussie celebrities that we knew. Of course, the list started with Lleyton Hewitt and followed by Heath Ledger, Guy Pearce, Keith Urban, Nicole Kidman, Kylie Minogue, Poppy Montegory, etc. BUT, we couldn't recall the name of the tennis player who retired about 5 years ago. We recalled he is tall, tanned, looking great (especially when he used to tie up his shoulder length hair in a messy ponytail during his younger days). My brother added this tennis player's 1st name is rather "normal" (meaning not as creative as Keith, Keegan, etc.). It took me 6 hours to recall in fact it's Pat Rafter - the Sunshine Coast boy, the tennis star from Queensland.

I found out only this morning that Pat Rafter donated his earnings from the Australian Open in 1999 to help disadvantaged children in Australia. With the help of his sister Louise and mother Jocelyn, the "Cherish The Children" Foundation has a great support group.

I like particularly his speech during the Australian Of the Year Award 2002 (here the snippets):
This is an unbelievable honour. World rankings and winning Grand Slams have been important to me, but I consider being named as Australian of the Year to be the high point of my life so far.

Thank you to all my brothers and sisters, I'll never forget the sacrifices that you guys made for me. Mum and Dad, I have tried to live by the values you taught me. And now I strongly believe that the values you gain from our families are also the values that shape Australia itself. For example Mum taught me that it's not whether you win or lose, it's how you compete and conduct yourself.

Dad, you taught me to give it my best, and if I lost, to accept it, and to be nice about it. Believe me that came in handy on more than a few occasions. Acting like a spoilt brat doesn't turn a loss into a win.

I mention those teachings because they are based around true Australian family values and when you extend those values beyond the family they become qualities that underpin all that's good in Australia.

We are the lucky ones and I'm proud to be an Australian.

Thank you Australia
Patrick Rafter

Hocus-Pocus

Yesterday, I picked an animation film with the title "Kiki's Delivery Service". The story starts with Kiki eagers to leave home - wonder why?? Under the shining full moon, people gather to send Kiki off. Kiki is a 13 years-old witch-in-training. According to witch's tradition, she has to leave her home to spend a year alone in a new town to establish herself as a full witch. Kissing her mom and dad good-bye, Kiki sets herself on her mother's broom with her father's transistor radio and her closest companion, Jiji the black cat, at her side. And she flies off - to a new town, to a new adventure, and to a new life. She settles down at a beautiful seaside city of Korico where Kiki sets up a flying delivery service, to take advantage of the only magic she knows - flying a broom!

In fact, I found out from this animation film why Kirsten Dunst is nicked "Kiki". She is the voice over for "Kiki".

Just the other day, I dreamt I was looking at NY City from above (as if I was flying on a cloud). May be I was a witch in my past life?!

Sister's Love

I have to thank my sister for introducing me to the concept of weblog, or else I wouldn't realise how de-stressing it could be to make use of blogging (1) to keep in touch with family & friends who are overseas; (2) to note down all important thoughts; and (3) to pour out problems and to share laughters.

Brisbane

May be today is Saturday, or may be it's just about time I should start to miss my sweet, golden Brisbane days. It has been 26 months. I wish I have the leisure to daydream today, at least I'll be able to visualise myself in my dark blue autumn "sporty" jacket strolling at South Bank now. I miss the chips sandwich, I miss standing at the front deck of City Cat, I miss the frequent fireworks, and I miss the relaxing mood there.

Sushi for Beginners

I've read most of Marian Keyes's novels except "The Cracks of the Mountain", "Under the Duvet" & "Further Under the Duvet" which are more of compilation of her previous newspaper articles. I prefer Marian to write stories such as "Sushi for Beginners" & "Last Chance Saloon". Of course, I much prefer Marian to apply her distinct humour in her writing on Walsh's eccentric family: "Watermelon" Claire, ""Angels" Margaret, "Rachel's Holiday" Rachel, "Anybody Out There" Anna & hopefully before New Harry Potter book hits the store, we could read of the latest on the youngest of the Walsh's girl - Helen.

Breathalyser!

In order to get rid of breakfast-cooking smell in our living room this morning, my family's domestic helper sprinkled my dad's Listerine into the air purifier instead of the new, herbal scent, aroma essence my mom bought yesterday afternoon. Now, fresh air or fresh breath haha ....

CSI:New York

I'm impressed with the acting of Hill (Frank) Harper who played Dr Sheldon Hawkes in both CSI:NY and (before) CSI:Miami. My brother believes that Harper should be in Dr House too, because he commented Harper is clean-shaved and really could live up the role of Dr Eric Foreman (currently played by Omar Epps) in Dr House.

Speak of Dr House, you could browse the following site to find out more of all the great songs played in House's 1st and 2nd Seasons ( http://www.fox.com/house/features/music/).

Cold Winter In Turin

During my March trip, Turin is the city I like the most. I would like to visit Turin (or locals called Torino) again with my family. Turin is a grand old city, and this year it hosted the Winter Olympics and the Paralympics Games. I was lucky enough to be there during the Opening Ceremony of the Paralympic Games. Of course, I didn't manage to be at the venue. Due to the cold winter breeze and also advice given by my host (Madam Simone Ovart), I preferred to watch it from my 29 inches television in the hotel.

Turin's Museo Egizio is considered to be among the best museums of Egyptian artefacts after those in London and Cairo.

Yesterday when I was reading a novel, a line in the novel caught me:

" .... if you loved someone, you must learn to let go. If he came back, he is yours for keep. If he didn't, may be it just never meant to be yours right from the start."

Some might disagree. But, no matter what, I believe if a person loved you, s/he would find all excuses to be closed to you.

Two things impressed me when I was in Milan for 1.5 days about two months ago: Milan Central station and the Self Bar!

Warning: do not carry heavy suitcase at this Central Station because it is difficult to find trolleys when you need one especially on Level 1!

Disposable Chopsticks Manners:

When I think of disposable chopsticks, first thing on my mind is usually Mr Scorpio. He was the person who used to remind me that we need to pull the sticks away from you on a horizontal plane, so your palms end up facing away from you. In addition, to twist the disposable chopsticks apart vertically can cause splintering. Most important of all, he added, is to smoothen the disposable chopsticks before using them in oder to prevent eating the splinters.

I found one tip from internet on Japanese's disposable chopsticks manners that is extremely interesting:
When you finished using disposable chopsticks (the Japanese calls chopsticks as hashi, meaning "bridge"), put them back in the bag and fold the bag in half. This indicates that they are used!

Warning: Girls, please do not attempt that unless you want splinters on your fingers!!!!!!!!

I always admire couples who could progress from couplehood to marriage. It's difficult for me even to keep normal friends.

I believe I could be a good friend to many if they were to believe that I do have time for friends and I am not a workaholic. Well, Murphy's Law rules again.

The Republic of Cyprus covers 63% of the southern part of the island and includes many of the most important historical sites.

The Greek Cypriot capital was enclosed by a star-shaped city wall (see picture above, on the right) in the 16th century but the boundaries of the modern city are dictated by the UN-patrolled Green Line (see the picture on Pafos Gate above), which separates the Republic from Northern Cyprus.

Nicosia is a friendly, laid-back place with about 208,900 population currently. It has good restaurants and museums, and a more genuinely Cypriot atmosphere than anywhere on the coast. I love to eat at 59 Knives restaurant (see above picture, first on the left) when I was there in March, and they prepared very good salmon penne.

I saw from entertainment page that JJH's latest movie is "Daisy" filmed in the Netherlands.

I'm not a Korean melodrama fan. Yesterday, to kill Sunday Blue, I bought a DVD entitled "Windstruck" where Jeon Ji-Hyun played a policewoman "Gyeong-Jin" opposite the male lead Myung-Woo played by Jang Hyuk. I was impressed with Jeon Ji-Hyun's acting - she is in fact more than the Giordano & Laneige girl that I knew.

In honour of Athena, the goddess of wisdom, ancient Athens ranks alongside Rome for its glorious past and its influence on Western Civilization.

These are pictures I took at the Roman Agora, which was to the west of the Acropolis. Its principal monument is the wonderful Tower of the Winds, which was built in the First century BC by a Syrian astronomer named Andronicus.

Happiness is not about pursuing illusion, it is about the ability to let go.

Happy Easter!

The clerk in my office told me that I look fat these days. She sounded like as if I have put on 283 tons overnight. She should be grateful that I have a big heart too, or else she would have got a black eye by now. Am I really fat, or she just said it to annoy me??

Picture: Courtesy of www.CartoonStock.com

My wish item for April 2006!

This is my pet hamster "Princess Geri" which passed away 7 months ago due to negligence. Last Friday I adopted a new hamster which I initially would like to nick him "Harry Potter" but my brother commented he's more "Hagrid" [he's a monster compared to my brother's two dwarf hamsters - "Red Eyed Pea" (male) and "Queen Latifah" (female)] than "Harry Potter".

In Athens, every Sunday at 10.45am a platoon of traditionally costumed evzones (guards), accompanied by a band, marches down Vasilissis Sofias to the Parliament Building on Syntagma. I didn't manage to catch that grand moment.

However, the guards also change every hour on the hour, but without the musical accompaniment.

When worry gets in the way of life

According to one article I read this morning, too much worries would lead to General Anxiety Disorder (GAD).

What is the most effective mean of de-stressing or (in today's context) de-worry?

Some choose to chat with their pet.

Some look at pictures which reflect on serenity.

Some pick on others' fault (courtesy of www.engrish.com).

How about you? Write to Pancake to share your views.

Ally & Pickles: My Family's Best Friends

This is a photo taken by my sister for them about 5 1/2 months ago. They've changed a lot since then - especially their hair are shorter now to keep them clean and cool in the equatorial climate.

I know they are cute, but please don't "steal" their photo before you seek Pancake Gatekeeper's permission!!

Guess what came first on my shopping list when I was in Athens last month?

HeHe ... for a million years no one would ever guess - it was the self-cleaning toilet seat I found at Athens International Airport!

I wonder if every home could afford 3-4 of these toilet seats, would that help to increase female labor force participation rate ;-)