Remember, a few days ago I mentioned that hotel rooms in HK are very expensive. Then someone recommended me a guesthouse. You can check it out here:
http://www.starguesthouse.com.hk/
A twin room costs HK$450 (about S$90), cheap? Not really, just about S$30 less than a 3-star hotel. You also have to consider other things.
Some guesthouses are in sleazy surroundings. What about security, and fire hazard if the guesthouse is at an old not well-maintained building.
When I checked into a hotel, I do read the 'in case of fire' information.
When I take aeroplane I also pay attention to the demonstration on how to put on the safety equipment, etc.
I think these are habits, not that I am particularly safety conscious.
Remember I also said somewhere, human beings are creatures of routine and habits. Sorry, it was said by the great detective Sherlock Holmes.
December 30, 2007
December 28, 2007
Would
Once I wrote a composition which had to do with democracy. I can't remember the title. In the essay I used a lot of 'would'. The lecturer, a foreigner, commented that it looked as if I 'invented democracy'.
I did not realize that it gave people such an impression. Later when I thought about it, I think I knew what he meant. One reason was the tone. Suppose someone invented something or thought of a new idea, democracy for example, he would be very proud of it and would go around telling people of his great idea. How democracy would be good for the country, how the people would benefit from it and so on.
Actually we rarely write something with a lot of would.
Some students think would is only used for the past tense of will. Would can be used in other ways too. One of them is already shown above - to express possibilities.
Other uses:-
1. expressing a wish - She would like to go to Egypt.
2. making a polite request - Would you mind showing me the opera costume you just bought?
3. making an instruction sound courteous - Mr Guo, the principal would like to see you.
4. expressing a situation that cannot be reversed - He would be 30 today if he had not died in that road accident a year ago.
5. expressing something that is not possible - If I were superman, I would go and hunt down terrorist leaders in the world.
I did not realize that it gave people such an impression. Later when I thought about it, I think I knew what he meant. One reason was the tone. Suppose someone invented something or thought of a new idea, democracy for example, he would be very proud of it and would go around telling people of his great idea. How democracy would be good for the country, how the people would benefit from it and so on.
Actually we rarely write something with a lot of would.
Some students think would is only used for the past tense of will. Would can be used in other ways too. One of them is already shown above - to express possibilities.
Other uses:-
1. expressing a wish - She would like to go to Egypt.
2. making a polite request - Would you mind showing me the opera costume you just bought?
3. making an instruction sound courteous - Mr Guo, the principal would like to see you.
4. expressing a situation that cannot be reversed - He would be 30 today if he had not died in that road accident a year ago.
5. expressing something that is not possible - If I were superman, I would go and hunt down terrorist leaders in the world.
December 26, 2007
Old cantonese movie
This is the movie from which I took the clip for Yesterday Once More.

I put a clip here for you to reminisce about those old movies. From this clip, you will roughly know the story.
A man is in debt. His father-in-law, a very wealthy man in the village, and other family members came to visit him. The man thinks he could get money from his father-in-law. But his father-in-law is a bankrupt now, having gambled away all his money......
I put a clip here for you to reminisce about those old movies. From this clip, you will roughly know the story.
A man is in debt. His father-in-law, a very wealthy man in the village, and other family members came to visit him. The man thinks he could get money from his father-in-law. But his father-in-law is a bankrupt now, having gambled away all his money......
December 25, 2007
舊地重遊
You may have experienced this. You asked a friend, "Want to go Japan". Your friend said, "Went before already" - meaning he didn't want to go. But he has also been to Taiwan a few times already and still wants to go again.
Probably the actual reason was that he didn't like Japan or didn't want to go there again yet.
I like to revisit old places. There is another type of joy and expectation together with some feeling of familiarity and nostalgia. Some places I have been to at least twice - Ipoh, Genting, Penang, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Hong Kong, Guangzhou.
But HK has become rather expensive. Hotel rates have shot up steeply mainly due to the influx of tourists from China. At periods that coincide with China's holidays, hotel rates can go up 100%. Food prices are also on the high side. Transport is also not cheap. With the same amount of money, you can spend twice as long in China.
Some places I have been to once but would not mind going again - Taiwan, Japan, Beijing, Australia's Gold Coast and Sydney. I have fond memories of them.
And got new places I would like to visit, London and Nanjing for instance.
When I was young, I read stories about gypsies travelling in caravans and staying from place to place. I like their nomadic carefree lifestyle.
Probably the actual reason was that he didn't like Japan or didn't want to go there again yet.
I like to revisit old places. There is another type of joy and expectation together with some feeling of familiarity and nostalgia. Some places I have been to at least twice - Ipoh, Genting, Penang, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Hong Kong, Guangzhou.
But HK has become rather expensive. Hotel rates have shot up steeply mainly due to the influx of tourists from China. At periods that coincide with China's holidays, hotel rates can go up 100%. Food prices are also on the high side. Transport is also not cheap. With the same amount of money, you can spend twice as long in China.
Some places I have been to once but would not mind going again - Taiwan, Japan, Beijing, Australia's Gold Coast and Sydney. I have fond memories of them.
And got new places I would like to visit, London and Nanjing for instance.
When I was young, I read stories about gypsies travelling in caravans and staying from place to place. I like their nomadic carefree lifestyle.
December 03, 2007
A break
Hello everyone, I'm taking a break, including a break from the computer. There will be no new post for about 3 weeks. Excuse me for not responding to your comments or your email queries during this period.
You are still welcome to look around and stay as long as you like.
And wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Frances Yip
Here is a song by the inimitable Frances Yip with her powerful voice and clear diction.
You are still welcome to look around and stay as long as you like.
And wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Frances Yip
Here is a song by the inimitable Frances Yip with her powerful voice and clear diction.
廣東小調 - 葉麗儀
December 02, 2007
广州粤剧团 - photos
Young sheng 蔡金敏 performed an excerpt with a lot of difficult moves like the part he did a somersault from a platform more than 2m high. 
黎骏声, 倪惠英 in 睿王与庄妃 , a historical story about love and the intrigues and power struggle in the imperial court.

肖婉婷 (a dan) as the child emperor in 睿王与庄妃. She sings well too.

孙业鸿 (a very good comedian) in 异月情缘 - two women with the same name wants to marry the same man, one woman has true love for him and the other only loves his status and wealth

Opera 五女拜壽 - a story that reveals only the third daughter who is adopted and her husband who later becomes the imperial scholar are truly filial to their parents

伍韵飞, 陆敏渭(second sheng) in 五女拜壽

崔玉梅(second dan) in 郭子仪祝寿 - the prince consort is so furious with his princess wife that he slaps her

Young star 余碧玲 acting as 穆桂英 - in the excerpt she twists and turns, twirls and rotates her body and she shows the audience how to ride a horse, from a slow trot increasing to a fast gallop and how to rein in a horse when it becomes naughty and tries to throw her off.

Another 2 starlets 肖婉婷 as 杨文广 and 屈月梅 as 杨七娘

黎骏声, 倪惠英 in 睿王与庄妃 , a historical story about love and the intrigues and power struggle in the imperial court.
肖婉婷 (a dan) as the child emperor in 睿王与庄妃. She sings well too.
孙业鸿 (a very good comedian) in 异月情缘 - two women with the same name wants to marry the same man, one woman has true love for him and the other only loves his status and wealth
Opera 五女拜壽 - a story that reveals only the third daughter who is adopted and her husband who later becomes the imperial scholar are truly filial to their parents
伍韵飞, 陆敏渭(second sheng) in 五女拜壽
崔玉梅(second dan) in 郭子仪祝寿 - the prince consort is so furious with his princess wife that he slaps her
Young star 余碧玲 acting as 穆桂英 - in the excerpt she twists and turns, twirls and rotates her body and she shows the audience how to ride a horse, from a slow trot increasing to a fast gallop and how to rein in a horse when it becomes naughty and tries to throw her off.
Another 2 starlets 肖婉婷 as 杨文广 and 屈月梅 as 杨七娘
December 01, 2007
广州粤剧团 - 朱弁回朝
The Envoy's Plight, 29 November 2007
崔玉梅, 黎骏声

This is a good show. It has the flavours of a traditional opera with moving scenes, good songs and even some well-executed fighting moves. It is one of those that gives you the ‘hao kan’ feeling, 好睇 in cantonese.
The opera is unexpectedly short – about 2.5h. I have not seen this before so I don’t know if it has been condensed. Because it was short, no one left the theatre before the end. Usually a minute or so before the end there will be people who are in a hurry to go out. They will stand up, watch for a while and walk slowly out, blocking the view of others. That night no one even stood up, like they were reluctant to leave.
朱弁回朝之招魂
崔玉梅, 黎骏声
This is a good show. It has the flavours of a traditional opera with moving scenes, good songs and even some well-executed fighting moves. It is one of those that gives you the ‘hao kan’ feeling, 好睇 in cantonese.
The opera is unexpectedly short – about 2.5h. I have not seen this before so I don’t know if it has been condensed. Because it was short, no one left the theatre before the end. Usually a minute or so before the end there will be people who are in a hurry to go out. They will stand up, watch for a while and walk slowly out, blocking the view of others. That night no one even stood up, like they were reluctant to leave.
朱弁回朝之招魂
November 30, 2007
广州粤剧团 - 豪门千金
For the Heiress’ Hand, 25 November 2007
This story is adapted from Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. You might have read this in your Literature lessons in school. Remember the loan shark Shylock wanted to cut off a pound of flesh from his enemy, a merchant who couldn’t repay his debt on time.
I almost forgot how the lawyer argued and won the case for the merchant. Halfway into the show I remembered – he must cut exactly one pound, not more or less and the man must not shed any blood.
I feel the show is more of a play than an opera. Fans who are pure traditionalists will not like this. I won’t say it is very good but it is watchable and enjoyable. But I prefer the other new-style opera Hua Yue Ying. In many aspects It is much better.
黎骏声, 倪惠英

Maids and assistants
This story is adapted from Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. You might have read this in your Literature lessons in school. Remember the loan shark Shylock wanted to cut off a pound of flesh from his enemy, a merchant who couldn’t repay his debt on time.
I almost forgot how the lawyer argued and won the case for the merchant. Halfway into the show I remembered – he must cut exactly one pound, not more or less and the man must not shed any blood.
I feel the show is more of a play than an opera. Fans who are pure traditionalists will not like this. I won’t say it is very good but it is watchable and enjoyable. But I prefer the other new-style opera Hua Yue Ying. In many aspects It is much better.
黎骏声, 倪惠英
Maids and assistants
November 27, 2007
Chinese orchestra
Another type of performance I enjoy watching is the Chinese Orchestra. The Singapore Chinese Orchestra is a very good one and it has performance regularly. Others like the Lion City CO and the Keat Hong CO seldom have public performance.
Here are two musicians in the SCO.

My two favourite instruments are the Pipa and the Erhu. The SCO has many huqin (erhu, gaohu, zhonghu) musicians and I have seen several of them perform solo pieces. In the pipa section there are only four musicians. I have seen only two of them doing solo - Yu Jia and Hou Yue Hua. Usually SCO chooses Yu Jia for solo. I think because she looks more glamorous.
I also like the sanxian. The only sanxian musician in the SCO is Huang Gui Fang.
To learn to play a musical instrument is not easy. You need plenty of discipline and self-motivation because it can be tough, boring and requires long hours of practice.
Here are two musicians in the SCO.

My two favourite instruments are the Pipa and the Erhu. The SCO has many huqin (erhu, gaohu, zhonghu) musicians and I have seen several of them perform solo pieces. In the pipa section there are only four musicians. I have seen only two of them doing solo - Yu Jia and Hou Yue Hua. Usually SCO chooses Yu Jia for solo. I think because she looks more glamorous.
I also like the sanxian. The only sanxian musician in the SCO is Huang Gui Fang.
To learn to play a musical instrument is not easy. You need plenty of discipline and self-motivation because it can be tough, boring and requires long hours of practice.
November 26, 2007
November 25, 2007
Chinese opera at Capitol ?
November 22, 2007
Indian food
Remember, a couple of weeks ago I mentioned about this Big Banana eatery. The place is open now. It sells North and South Indian Food. I think it is cooked food - the food are laid out and you pick, not you order from a menu and the cook cooks your order.
Victor is also right - there is a stall inside selling fried bananas.

Victor is also right - there is a stall inside selling fried bananas.
November 20, 2007
Holiday season
I was at OG departmental store, Chinatown, last saturday. Quite crowded and there were about a dozen people looking for luggage at the luggage section which is at level 5, the topmost level. Months ago there were the most two or three people. The year-end long school holiday has just started. This is a top holiday period for Singaporeans.
The economy is doing well; people are more affluent and travel more and can be lavish in their spending. Hope they save some money too. Must set aside some fund for belt-tightening days, right? I think oil prices will go up further. This in turn will cause prices of many things to rise. Inflation is predicted to go up to 5% next year.
And with inflation, investment advisers say don't put all your money in fixed deposits in the bank because your savings will worth much less later. Also, diversify your investments. But for many ordinary people, I think there aren't many choices. They are not knowledgeable about shares, commodities, forex, etc. Insurance is meant for long-term and must suit your needs. Unit trust is more for medium-term and also does not give very good returns. Investment-linked deposits are not very attractive either. What else?
Synopses of coming shows by 广州粤剧团, please see Chinese opera performances (link at the right)
The economy is doing well; people are more affluent and travel more and can be lavish in their spending. Hope they save some money too. Must set aside some fund for belt-tightening days, right? I think oil prices will go up further. This in turn will cause prices of many things to rise. Inflation is predicted to go up to 5% next year.
And with inflation, investment advisers say don't put all your money in fixed deposits in the bank because your savings will worth much less later. Also, diversify your investments. But for many ordinary people, I think there aren't many choices. They are not knowledgeable about shares, commodities, forex, etc. Insurance is meant for long-term and must suit your needs. Unit trust is more for medium-term and also does not give very good returns. Investment-linked deposits are not very attractive either. What else?
Synopses of coming shows by 广州粤剧团, please see Chinese opera performances (link at the right)
November 18, 2007
Opera enthusiasts 2
An unfortunate thing - A pair of sheng-dan from England performed the excerpt Lu An Zhou (Loh Onn Chow in cantonese). Not far into the show the sheng's hair suddenly became loose. As you all know, in this excerpt the sheng has to do a lot of strong action and vigorous movement. As a result his hair got tossed about and hampered his performance. Poor thing. But he courageously carried on with his performance till the end.
The audience appreciated that as well as their good performance and gave them a resounding applause. The hair-stylist did not do a good job or he himself was careless?
Some pictures of performers in the last two nights:
周汶姿, 王悦和

陈美燕, 胡桂馨, 卢少玲

潘金莲 - 卢少玲, 郭广麟

廖丽霞(英国花旦), 胡桂馨 This is the England dan who performed Lu An Zhou. She is tall.

俏潘安 - 王金英, 锺慧玲

锺慧玲, 王金英 - see, so relaxed after the show

A short clip of 陈美燕
a song by 王悦和, 方淑銘 (Malaysian)
The audience appreciated that as well as their good performance and gave them a resounding applause. The hair-stylist did not do a good job or he himself was careless?
Some pictures of performers in the last two nights:
周汶姿, 王悦和
陈美燕, 胡桂馨, 卢少玲
潘金莲 - 卢少玲, 郭广麟
廖丽霞(英国花旦), 胡桂馨 This is the England dan who performed Lu An Zhou. She is tall.
俏潘安 - 王金英, 锺慧玲
锺慧玲, 王金英 - see, so relaxed after the show
A short clip of 陈美燕
a song by 王悦和, 方淑銘 (Malaysian)
November 16, 2007
Opera enthusiasts
A gathering of cantonese opera/songs enthusiasts from Europe and Asia at Kreta Ayer People's Theatre, Singapore. It is on from 14 - 17 Nov 2007.
They may not be the best from their countries. But it is a good opportunity to see them and to hear them sing. It is encouraging to see people of Chinese descent in other lands preserving and cherishing their culture.
Here are some pictures of our friends. ...
Denmark and Thailand...

England...

France...

Holland...

Hong Kong, this man is a very good singer...

Singapore...

比利時, I'm not sure of the name in English...
HK, England, Singapore, Switzerland...

A short video of Lu Bu performed by 吳丽诗...
They may not be the best from their countries. But it is a good opportunity to see them and to hear them sing. It is encouraging to see people of Chinese descent in other lands preserving and cherishing their culture.
Here are some pictures of our friends. ...
Denmark and Thailand...
England...
France...
Holland...
Hong Kong, this man is a very good singer...
Singapore...
比利時, I'm not sure of the name in English...
A short video of Lu Bu performed by 吳丽诗...
November 15, 2007
MP and race
It was reported that In a survey, 92% of the people said they would vote for an MP of a different race. It means most people would not mind if their MP is of another race. I presume the MP is better-qualified than his opponent. If both are equal, then people may take race into consideration.
Now if you ask them 'Would you mind if there were no MPs of your race?', I am quite certain many would mind, particularly the minorities. It is not racist thinking; just that they think there would be no one to voice their concerns and aspirations. And if that ever happens, it is not good for our country.
As for myself, I won't mind voting for a non-Chinese MP but I would mind if there were no Chinese MPs in Parliament. These are two different things. Some Chinese may say they won't mind because they think it won't happen.
Now if you ask them 'Would you mind if there were no MPs of your race?', I am quite certain many would mind, particularly the minorities. It is not racist thinking; just that they think there would be no one to voice their concerns and aspirations. And if that ever happens, it is not good for our country.
As for myself, I won't mind voting for a non-Chinese MP but I would mind if there were no Chinese MPs in Parliament. These are two different things. Some Chinese may say they won't mind because they think it won't happen.
November 08, 2007
Chinese characters?
November 06, 2007
白蛇传 Madam White Snake
3 November 2007 at Kreta Ayer People's Theatre, performed by the Tanjong Pagar Community Club Cantonese Opera Group, students of Lou Mee Wah.
Putting up a Chinese opera show in Singapore is a tedious, energy-sapping task, particularly a full-length opera by a CC group. According to Mee Wah, last year when she decided to do MWS, her friends asked her why she chose this opera as it would be very taxing for her as well as for her students.
Like most Chinese opera artistes in Singapore, opera is just a passion for her students; they have a full-time job to do. Understandably, their standards vary. There are some who did well and there are some who need to put more effort in their skills and more feeling in their songs. Shortcomings notwithstanding, the show was a great effort by the Group and it was a creditable performance indeed.
Different artistes took turns to play the three leading roles - Xu Xian, Bai Su Zhen and Xiao Qing.
The best scene was Flooding the Jin San Monastery. It was well-choreographed – slick and fast-paced accompanied by rousing music. Besides combat, there were displays of some excellent acrobatics and big-flag manipulation skills. Overall it gave the audience superb visual and audio entertainment.
A refreshing and unique feature – while waiting for the scene to change, a storyteller with two aunties as his audience, came out to tell the story of MWS. There was even the nostalgic catchy tune that used to precede Lee Dai Sor’s stories on Redifusion in the old days. The storyteller sat on a wooden box and the two women sat on the floor listening to him. The storyteller was Christopher Choo. Haha, he is a good storyteller.
Judging from the response around me, the audience liked this arrangement.
An unexpected thing – the VIP Assoc Prof Koo Tsai Kee, MP for Tanjong Pagar GRC, came before the show started at 7.30pm and stayed throughout the show until curtain call and photo-taking. Don't know he understood or not.
Picture, from left : Christopher Choo (the storyteller), Chung Yook Har (Green Snake), Loh Kwai Lan (Scholar Xu Xian) and Li Bing Mui (White Snake). They performed in the last two scenes. 朱振邦, 钟玉霞, 劳桂兰, 李冰梅

The 2 snakes - anxieties and worries before the show give way to joy and relief!

The artiste with the golden headgear was a 'heavenly soldier'. He was also the martial arts director. I think he is Gordon Choy. The one with the funny face was a 'crab general'. He manipulated the big flag.
Putting up a Chinese opera show in Singapore is a tedious, energy-sapping task, particularly a full-length opera by a CC group. According to Mee Wah, last year when she decided to do MWS, her friends asked her why she chose this opera as it would be very taxing for her as well as for her students.
Like most Chinese opera artistes in Singapore, opera is just a passion for her students; they have a full-time job to do. Understandably, their standards vary. There are some who did well and there are some who need to put more effort in their skills and more feeling in their songs. Shortcomings notwithstanding, the show was a great effort by the Group and it was a creditable performance indeed.
Different artistes took turns to play the three leading roles - Xu Xian, Bai Su Zhen and Xiao Qing.
The best scene was Flooding the Jin San Monastery. It was well-choreographed – slick and fast-paced accompanied by rousing music. Besides combat, there were displays of some excellent acrobatics and big-flag manipulation skills. Overall it gave the audience superb visual and audio entertainment.
A refreshing and unique feature – while waiting for the scene to change, a storyteller with two aunties as his audience, came out to tell the story of MWS. There was even the nostalgic catchy tune that used to precede Lee Dai Sor’s stories on Redifusion in the old days. The storyteller sat on a wooden box and the two women sat on the floor listening to him. The storyteller was Christopher Choo. Haha, he is a good storyteller.
Judging from the response around me, the audience liked this arrangement.
An unexpected thing – the VIP Assoc Prof Koo Tsai Kee, MP for Tanjong Pagar GRC, came before the show started at 7.30pm and stayed throughout the show until curtain call and photo-taking. Don't know he understood or not.
Picture, from left : Christopher Choo (the storyteller), Chung Yook Har (Green Snake), Loh Kwai Lan (Scholar Xu Xian) and Li Bing Mui (White Snake). They performed in the last two scenes. 朱振邦, 钟玉霞, 劳桂兰, 李冰梅
The 2 snakes - anxieties and worries before the show give way to joy and relief!
The artiste with the golden headgear was a 'heavenly soldier'. He was also the martial arts director. I think he is Gordon Choy. The one with the funny face was a 'crab general'. He manipulated the big flag.
November 02, 2007
Smile
I read a handbook. It says God always answers prayers. But, the answer is not just 'yes'. It can be Yes, No, Not yet or Here is something else for you. Well, anyway isn't it heartening to know that God listens to us.
In a previous post I said God didn't answer my prayer. I was wrong then. He did, only that his answer was no. Haha, he wanted me to go through the experience of giving a speech and to overcome my phobia.
Those of you who believe in God, be it in Taoism or Hinduism or any other religion, take comfort that there are good reasons if you don't get what you pray for. It is meant for your own good. Or it could mean that the time is not right yet. You might even get something better.
And when unfortunate things happen, it might not be a bad thing altogether. Heard of this Chinese proverb 塞翁失马. A misfortune may be a blessing in disguise.
Even if you have no religious belief, this way of thinking is quite helpful. It makes you more optimistic and cheerful. And when you are cheerful, you also look more radiant and attractive.
In a previous post I said God didn't answer my prayer. I was wrong then. He did, only that his answer was no. Haha, he wanted me to go through the experience of giving a speech and to overcome my phobia.
Those of you who believe in God, be it in Taoism or Hinduism or any other religion, take comfort that there are good reasons if you don't get what you pray for. It is meant for your own good. Or it could mean that the time is not right yet. You might even get something better.
And when unfortunate things happen, it might not be a bad thing altogether. Heard of this Chinese proverb 塞翁失马. A misfortune may be a blessing in disguise.
Even if you have no religious belief, this way of thinking is quite helpful. It makes you more optimistic and cheerful. And when you are cheerful, you also look more radiant and attractive.
October 31, 2007
Sell what
This shop at Aljunied Road, near Geylang Road, has changed owners several times already, selling different foods each time. Once it was chicken rice, the only one I remember. I think the location is no good.
About a week ago I noticed this new name. Quite a queer name. Yesterday when I passed by and took this picture, it is still not open yet. Just wondering what they are selling this time. Vietnamese food? Or is it just a kopitiam. Anyone like to make a guess.
About a week ago I noticed this new name. Quite a queer name. Yesterday when I passed by and took this picture, it is still not open yet. Just wondering what they are selling this time. Vietnamese food? Or is it just a kopitiam. Anyone like to make a guess.
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