A Question for the Ladies (or Gentlemen)...

It is a universal truth that women love to buy clothes, shoes and handbags. Can anyone tell me why?*

* The reader with the best answer will receive a "special prize" from moi. Entry closes at 1200 AEST on 23/3/2007. Conditions Apply.

The Beginning of a New Chapter - A Fascinating Life in China

Aloha, dear friends and readers!!!

Welcome back to my weblog and I hope many of you will not cease to be amazed by what I have in stall for you all below!!!

It's been almost five months since I have last updated my blog and I have no doubts many of you would be wondering what happened to your dear author. Afterall, the author did begin his last entry by expressing how much he enjoyed sharing his drab and boring life with other readers and that he couldn't "stop thinking about what to write for [his] next entry"? 

So, what exactly happened to the author??? 

Did the author simply lose motivation because his life has become much more fascinating such that it is no longer "dull" enough to write about and share with others??? Or was the author captured by some aliens while he was driving home along the Eastern Freeway??? As much as the author would hate to admit, he was too busy snuggling under the covers over the past five months with his....................................... TEXTBOOKS, magazines and sexy mini-iPod!!!!

Luckily, after living a reclusive life for several months, the author has finally discovered that there are much more to life than listening to "You're Beautiful" and looking at pictures of anorexic celebrities. The author decided to smash his piggy bank, take out a few pennies, and set forth his journey to the Middle Kingdom, where he landed on the island of Amoy (that is, Xiamen in local dialect). Of course, the journey was not without hiccups, as the author had to explain to the customs with his "flawless and fluent" Mandarin as to why he looked so different to the photo displayed in his passport, which perfectly resembled the look of a "drug mule". As the author patiently explained, looks and facial expressions do change as people grow and that it is not within the author's control that he now looks like Andy Lau...

Life in Xiamen has been filled with colours and excitement, not to mention the beautiful people around and the interesting things that the city has to offer. Nonetheless, as my time is up at the Internet Cafe, I shall continue with my entry next time... 

More to follow...

I have always heard stories about people getting addicted to writing blogs on Xanga and that they can't stop thinking about what to write for their next entry. I must confess the same is happening to me since I left for Shenzhen a couple of days ago.

But before I get started with what I believe will turn out to be yet another "controversial" entry - to all my dear subscribers and readers - a belated Happy Chinese New Year and I wish you all the very best for the Year of the Dog!!! 

Friendships - Are some of us taking it for granted?

Having had the privilege of reading what my dear friend William had to say about friendships and misunderstandings in general (see http://www.xanga.com/william_ho), I couldn't agree more. Good friends indeed are hard to come by...

I do not exactly know where to begin, but it is a tragic fact of life (and one that I am ready to accept) that so often, we stumble across people who take friendships for granted. Although I must say I am rather fortunate in the sense that almost every single one of my friends are willing to make sacrifice or come to some sort of compromise for the sake of friendships, sadly, there are also the odd ones who only know what to take from a friendship, but almost never to give back (either knowingly or unconsciously). It is when you start meeting people of the latter descriptions that you slowly begin to wonder, is it worth keeping the friendships with them?

I have noticed that one of my earlier entries (the one about people having a "f***-your-friend" mentality) has created a bit of a storm and has triggered numerous responses from various readers. In fact, I have come to realise that a certain reader was particularly displeased by the comments that I have made. I acknowledge that I may have been a bit insensitive at the time when I posted my entry and for that, I wish to sincerely apologise to the said reader for my rather outrageous comments. However, I would also wish to take this opportunity to kindly remind the reader not to take our friendship for granted. I have always considered you as one of my closest friends and I hope this will remain so in years to come.  

Farewell to a Special Friend

Alas, time has come for me to bid farewell to a special friend, who is currently on her way to Amsterdam from Hong Kong.

It is hard to believe but time does fly. I can still remember exactly a month ago when you first arrived in Hong Kong. We had dinner that night and you were telling me how unprepared you were for your winter internship and that Hong Kong seemed such a foreign place for you to live in. Looking back at the things you have said to me that night, it is astonishing to see how perceptions and feelings could change so easily. Barely two weeks into your stay and you were already organising a boat cruise to the Lamma Island. Not only did your Cantonese level improve ten-fold (and believe me, I am not lying) since the last time I heard you spoke the dialect back in Melbourne, you also appeared to have no problems dealing with the locals. To me, that just boils down to both exceptional talent and a special ability to adapt. I really doubt it has anything to do with me and Karen bringing you to different places or introducing you to new friends (but thankyou for the card! It was very kind of you!!!)

On a more personal note, I think I got to know you much better both as a person and a close friend over the past four weeks, despite having known you for almost six years. Not trying to make this sound corny or anything, I just want to say I am truly blessed to have such a great friend in you. Just like what I have written on your MSN space a few days ago:

¡°Æ䌍£¬ÔÚÎÒÑÛÖУ¬ÄãÒÔ½UÊÇÒ»‚€ºÜÈÝÒ×½ÓÊܱðÈ˵ÄÈË¡£ÔÚÎÒËùÕJ×RµÄÅóÓÑÑYÃ棬ÄãÒѽUÊǎ׺õ×îÓÑÉƺÍÓHÇеÄÄÇ‚€¡£ëmÈ»Ä㶺ÁôÔÚÏã¸ÛµÄ•rég±ÈÝ^¶Ì•º£¬µ«ÊÇÎÒÕæµÄÏ£Íû£¬Ïã¸Û¿ÉÒÔŽ§½oÁËÄãÒ»‚€Óä¿ìºÍëyÍüµÄ½›šv¡£¡±

I am sure I will miss the time we spent together in HK. Until we meet again in Melbourne, please take great care of yourself. In the meantime, I sincerely wish you the very best in Amsterdam and hopefully we will stay in touch!!!

Currently Listening Dance of the Heart: His Best & More By Stephen Bishop see related

27th January 2006

Time flies doesn't it??? I remember two years ago when I brought you to Poison Ivy to celebrate your birthday. Fast forward two years, and so much have changed. You have certainly made a huge impact in my life. Thank you for being such a patient, caring and understanding girlfriend. As I have promised you a while back, I am dedicating this entry and song to you, and only you!!!

To My Special Half - Happy Birthday!!!

The "Real Convseration" which Followed that Will Ho Did Not Want You All to See (courtesy of Raymond for providing the full details)

To see the first part of the conversation, please visit: http://www.xanga.com/william_ho

The following conversation happened between 12am and 1am somewhere in New Orleans:

*******As we walked to her car*********

W (Will Ho):
You know, you talk really quickly.

A:
It must be my Californianism coming out.........................

*******We got into the car************

W:
You know, I'm staying by myself in New Orleans

A:
Oh really? That sounds rather nice. Is your house big?

W:
Um ... it's alright. Just perfect for two ... but too big for one. Why don't you come over, I can show you some pictures of my friends (talking at a furious speed now) and maybe we can get a night cap together...

A:
Yeah, I like that. You like Johnny Walker ... I ALWAYS have a sip before I go to sleep

W:
(Eyebrows raised ... but secretly smiling inside) Well ... guess what .. SO DO I. I'm a big fan of Johnny .. he's an ole mate of mine

******Car approaching driveway*********

W:
Why don't you come on in .. I'll pour you a glass

A:
Sure thing. Would you be a gentleman and open my door for me.

W:
(Face totally RED now) yeah I'm quite the gentleman myself ... you see I learn all my tricks from my good friend from Melbourne. His name is Raymond

A:
Well .. Raymond must be quite something himself

W:
Oh hahahaha ... nah .. have you heard of this Chinese saying "«C¥X©óÂŦӳөóÂÅ"

A:
You little devil... and you said you know little Cantonese!!! Well... you seem very smart yourself. Actually, I'm a little cold myself. It's getting rather late.

W:
(Grins) why don't I take off my sweater? It's cashmere by Burberry.

A:
WOW... you have Burberry cashmere. (Grab onto my hand) let's go inside .. we don't have a MOMENT to lose

**********Inside the sitting room*************

A:
You're so skinny .... are you sure you don't want your sweater back?

W:
Nah, don't worry about it. I swim ALL the time back in Mel-BORN ... I'm quite the champion swimmer you know... 20 laps non-stop!!!

A:
You are so multi-talented. You're smart, you're witty, you're SO gentlemanly. Oh Willy, if only I met you earlier.

W:
What do you mean? I mean, you're having fun right ... finish off your drink, I'll pour you more

A:
But I have a confession to make .... I have a boyfriend already

W:
(Devastated) oh really ... but the important thing is .. he's not here tonight is he? Let me read you a poem. It's titled 'To my coy mistress' by Andrew Marvell. He's my favorite (secretly THANKING Raymond for introducing myself to 17th century poetry)

(cough .. then in a seductive voice):

Had we but world enough, and time,
This coyness, lady, were no crime.
We would sit down and think which way
To walk, and pass our long love's day;
Thou by the Indian Ganges' side
Shouldst rubies find; I by the tide
Of Humber would complain. I would
Love you ten years before the Flood;
And you should, if you please, refuse
Till the conversion of the Jews.
My vegetable love should grow
Vaster than empires, and more slow.
An hundred years should go to praise
Thine eyes, and on thy forehead gaze;
Two hundred to adore each breast,
But thirty thousand to the rest;
An age at least to every part,
And the last age should show your heart.
For, lady, you deserve this state,
Nor would I love at lower rate.

But at my back I always hear
Time's winged chariot hurrying near;
And yonder all before us lie
Deserts of vast eternity.
Thy beauty shall no more be found,
Nor, in thy marble vault, shall sound
My echoing song; then worms shall try
That long preserv'd virginity,
And your quaint honour turn to dust,
And into ashes all my lust.
The grave's a fine and private place,
But none I think do there embrace.

Now therefore, while the youthful hue
Sits on thy skin like morning dew,
And while thy willing soul transpires
At every pore with instant fires,
Now let us sport us while we may;
And now, like am'rous birds of prey,
Rather at once our time devour,
Than languish in his slow-chapp'd power.
Let us roll all our strength, and all
Our sweetness, up into one ball;
And tear our pleasures with rough strife
Thorough the iron gates of life.
Thus, though we cannot make our sun
Stand still, yet we will make him run.

A:
Oh that is SO sweet. You're so WELL-READ. Come, you're in luck tonight.

W
(Palm getting all sweaty now) hehehe .. yeah ...

******TO BE CONTINUED*********