Christmas Scence in NYC 3) Christmas Tree & Skating @ Rockefeller Centre

The 69th annual Christmas tree @ Rockefeller Centre NYC

Christmas in NYC wouldn't be the same without it...

Don't know why but the skaters remind me so much of the film "Love Story"...although it wasn't about New York. We have seen so many film stories evolve aroud this city that its reality is interwind with its big screen virtuality. After so much imagination and anticipation, it's hard to tell whether you are acually seeing it or just in front of the silver screen.

Apparently after Christmas the tree will be recycled and used in horse jumping training.



洛克菲勒中心每年竖起的圣诞树和滑冰场都有差不多70年历史，它们已经成为节日气氛的一部分了。每年这个时候蜂拥而至的游客都回来这里看看或者下场大显身手。

不知道为什么，看着滑冰的人们，听着场上的音乐，仰望硕大的圣诞树，感受着空气中弥漫的节日气氛，让我想起爱情故事这部电影,尽管这并不是关于纽约的电影。其实对于纽约有实在太多的电影带来的情景想象了，走到哪里都让人觉得很熟悉。香港和洛杉矶都给我这种感觉，又在想有哪一部中国电影看过之后让我想去那个地方看看？苏州桥？

Christmas Scene in NYC 2)

再应节景

small community park, downtown NY

街心公园, 纽约下城


We just walked all the way cross Brooklyn Bridge and were excited but cold, lost, thirsty and bursting at the same time. I said I have to take a brake to enjoy the scenery but actually my feet hurt and what I really wanted was to sit down.

其实拍这张照片的时候我们刚从河对岸走过布鲁克林桥,又冷又累又渴又走丢了,只好详装欣赏美景的样子.

雾景 2 Fog

A.
archive pictures from this time last year
去年的这个时候,原来也是很多雾呢

B.
nothing seems to hinder the rowers
天山鸟飞绝 万径人踪灭
划船的人们可是雨雾无阻

C.
ducks enjoy it too
野鸭们也自得其乐

Five Day Weather Forcast, Christmas 06

The big smoke living up to its name?

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas every one ... ...
from Top of the Rock, Rockefeller building in New York!
Empire State building, green and red lights -- it's the spirit of Christmas in New York... ...

很久没有动笔啦，越忙越多想写的越没有时间写。。。大家圣诞快乐！是在纽约的洛克菲勒大厦顶上，随着落日的余晖帝国大厦的顶灯亮起绿色和红色的光芒，正是纽约圣诞的节灯。


Top of the Rock was recommended to us as to have the best view all over Manhattan and it lived up to its reputation. We didn't have a very clear view of central park but that's just because it was a hazy day. Can't beat the dusk time, purple clouds fading, lights of the city emerging here and there. You can watch people in those clear glass boxes still working and they might be watching you too. The only problem is that they don't have a bag check or cloakroom so don't go there with bags of shopping you just did in the fifth ave because you are going to have to carry it around with you all the time! It took about 15 minutes or so of queuing to get to the top so give yourself plenty of time to catch the sunset.

天边海边的落日，欲说还休的落霞
若隐若现的女神，渐起渐灭的晚灯
你在楼上看风景，看楼上风景的人在看你。

You have seen a thousand sunset by the sea
a thousand times the purple fading clounds
The green lady beckons but you couldn't see
a thousand warm orange lights emerge and they know it's dusky
You watch the people in the small boxes, busy
they are not watching you watching the city

FB4 MoonChiu 潮式早茶

在香港喝一次潮式早茶，店子叫满朝。在黄埔花园，我们住的附近。

Chaozhou style dimsum at Moon Chiu in Whampoa Garden, Hunghom Bay, Hong Kong.



点心都和广式相似，大概是改良的吧。不过开桌和买单的时候都上了功夫茶，算是特色。
This restaurant is actually not that different from your everyday Cantonese style. They did serve two courses of Kongfu Tea at the beginning and the end of the Dimsum, so to make up for the specialties.



绿豆水晶包 糯米饭团
Mung bean buns
Steamed glutenous rice buns



每样点心反而上来两碟沾酱的，好玩。

传统的烧麦，春卷
Traditional Siumai, spring roll

本来潮式嘛，应该叫粥，可是想起来的时候已经撑得不行了，只好作罢。
Chaozhou style normally calls for congee but we were too full to complete the course!

FB3 More tea drinking and meals at home

在两个倒时差和睡在床缝里的不眠之夜后，终于回来了。

Finally, after three cities and two sleepless jet-lag nights in transit, we landed in Guilin .



朋友说回来的这么不是时候，早两天空气里还弥漫着浓的不能再浓的桂花香味，而今年的暖秋让满街的银杏叶还是欲黄还青，欣赏不到黄叶的美景！

Friends felt sorry for us: we missed the sweet osmanthus scent in the air -- if only we were here the week before; and because of the warm autumn we are having here, the ginkgo leaves are still green so we miss the sight of golden ginkgo leaves too!

只好说人生总是充满遗憾，这样可以永远计划下一次。

Oh, it's always next time. Or is it?

在家里每天乖的不可想象地吃妈妈饭（爸爸饭），只抽闲出去喝过一次龙井，在解放桥边能看到七星公园的七星的左岸咖啡店和过两次蓝山咖啡和花旗参茶。左岸的炸香蕉也很好吃！热热的端上来，甜甜的糯糯的，暖胃。

Then we ate at home every night, trying to be very nice children. Only once we went out at night for some Longjing and old friend catching up. We did, somehow through all the mad rush, managed to visit the Left Bank cafe, where the bridge and the seven star park could be enjoyed through the windows, three times. Their deep fried banana is a treat: searved fresh out of the pan, hot and sweet, perfect for longly hearts.

房子我回来了 Hi house I am back

记得小时候看一部好象是日本电影，里面独居的男主人公出远门回家，对着空空的房子说，房子我回来啦！妈妈还说这些外国人真奇怪，和房子说什么话呢？不过现在我出趟门回来也会说房子我回来了！看见窗外落得一地的红叶，空气里湿漉漉的，一片萧杀的气氛，厨房窗台上的一小盒青菜苗竟然自顾自活得好好的，人说物随主人形，很让我惊喜，呵呵。

I remember when I was little we were watching this Japanese movie and the guy was greeting his flat after arriving back from a long trip. Mum couldn't understand why this guy was talking to a lifeless object like a house. Now look at me, I am doing the same thing, greeting our house after trips. Everthing seemed so cold and wintery compared to the warm weather we had whilst away so I was even more surprised and pleased that the veg tray on the kitchen sill is still going strong after a week or so us being not around!

FB纪实2 邮电大厦早茶 China Cuisine Tour Nov 06 DimSum

坐下来一杯茶，一天最好的时光就这样开始。

Sit down and have a cup of tea -- best way to start a nice day.


蒸肠粉，虾肠牛肠素肠粉，都那么好吃。

YumCha -- Tea doesn't really mean tea only, of course you know that. It involves dim sum, all sorts of them.


Steamed rice noodle rolls, with pawn or beef or vegitarian, all delicious and my favourtie.

还有艇仔粥，多种原材料慢火熬成，此地独有，风味独特。图片不见了，只好在众生相中找寻。

Boatman's congee, meal of its own, lots of goodies and yet perfectly balanced and calming.

梧州龟灵膏，下下四处奔波劳累的火气。


榴莲糕，外脆里香，回味绵长。现在还在想着！
Durian cake, crisp layers outside, rich durian inside, dream match!

FB纪实1 广州川国典藏 China Cuisine Tour Nov 06 Chuanguo Signature Delicacies

很久没吃正宗的火辣辣的。。。
Red, hot, delicious Sichuan cuisine


酸菜鱼：
Hot-pot Fish & Pickle Stew
猫的正餐。好过瘾啊，喵呜~~
Dinner for kittens
D.e.l.i.c.i.o.u.s..


宫保鸡丁(无图)：
GongBao Chicken - the original version
经常在这里吃些假冒的

麻婆豆腐：MaPo Tofu
每次都点但很少吃到满意的



干煸四季豆：
Dry-fry Hot French Beans
十年前去九寨沟一路每天吃留下的念想

Weekend Gardener

A brand new long border. Lots of humus soil, I am looking forward to the next summer already.
出发前扩挖的长花圃。土质很好，明年春天应该生机勃勃吧。

玉米和青菜

种上了墙花（很奇怪为什么叫墙花）

Sunflower Teddy

Second year of planting "Teddy Bear" and it has become my favorite. I didn't see the resemblance at first but clicked when the flower bloomed, bright orange and cuddly, it really is like a teddy bear. 今年是第二年种这种叫"泰迪小熊"的向日葵了，看他颜色金黄又圆滚滚的，象不象娃娃熊？	From Summer Garden

Happy Halloween

and carve your own pumpkin here : )

Garden Diary 日记 [2006年10月30日] Sunny

Things we have done in the garden this weekend, before the threatened frost finally came.

1. Divided the two chive plant into six and planted them out

2. Cut down the parasitic ivy-ish plant that's suffocating our hawthorn. It was hard work from AhNiu and a success. We found another bird nest on one of the branches. It's the 7th nest discovered this year, if my memory is anything to go by. However, in the process of taking of the parasite, one main branch of the hawthorn came down and it's covering the lawn. Shame, but it should grow out again next year.

3. Dug the cannas and aubergine up, cut top growth and put in some neutral compost, ready to put away in the shed for the winter.

4. Broadened the border a bit to 75cm from the fence. Can't wait to try it out next year.

5. Planted the garlic (during the week, actually). My parents were here and Mum planted garlic with me last year, so I was thinking of Mum when I was planting the garlics.

6. Bought some bulbs and wallflower ready for next year's show.

总结一下这个周末在花园里干的活：

1。将园里的两棵欧韭分开成六株

2。将山楂树上过分曼生的寄生藤处理了。过程中还发现了一个空鸟窝，今年在整理花园其间已经发现了七个鸟窝啦，想象从中飞出过多少小小鸟呢？

3。将美人蕉和茄子转到盆里，准备过冬。也不知道茄子过冬会不会成功，试一试吧

4。略拓宽了栅栏前的那一小片地，明年也许能种多些玉米

5。前两天种了蒜下去，现在已经发芽了。很快有青蒜吃啦。去年是妈妈和我一起种的蒜呢。

6。今天下午去买了些桂竹和风信子化球。准备来年春天的展示啊。

Another firey conversation

Heaven knows, back to back O.C. surely is the perfect antidote after a not-so-perfect long distance conversation with your always-right Dad. Phew, thank everything almighty, all the production team and casts of O.C., sky plus, sony television, and all people and fans who supported me over the years! Thank you!!

Clock goes back today

And enjoy.
Stock up daylight-imitating light bulbs now to prevent SAD.
On the plus side, we got an extra hour tonight so I can watch 5 episodes of OC non-stop.

Lunch at Carluccio's

昨天(一个值得纪念的一天)在路过的一间意大利象是茶餐厅的Carluccio's吃了午餐。

南瓜正当季，特别餐单的南瓜汤很美味。
Pumpkin is in season and pumpin soup is on the special menu.

ZUPPA DI ZUCCHA
A soup made of this season's essential ingrediants, pumpkin and carrots.

可是最大的发现是一个叫比切灵BICERIN(bee-cheh-REEN))的都灵小饮，是浓咖啡、翡冷翠巧克力饮品加上鲜奶油混合而成。上来三个小白杯子，哗地一下倒在一起，好喝。特别适合入秋的这样的日子喝，端一杯暖暖的。

An interesting discovery is a Durin drink called bicerine:

B I C E R I N £ 2 . 3 5
A traditional drink from Torino – espresso coffee, Florentine drinking chocolate and cream. Served in small jugs for you to mix yourself
-- warm and sophisticated taste, perfect for an autumn day

I ordered a wild mushroom soup. 野生蘑菇浓汤也很有味。

ZUPPA DI F U N G H I CO N PA N C E T TA £ 3 . 9 5
A rich soup of mushrooms with Italian bacon, served with our
focaccia bread

浓汤是和意式佛卡夏面包一起上的，觉得还挺香脆，上网找了做法，有时间也试着做做。

F O C A CC I A £ 1 . 3 0
Freshly baked Ligurian bread made with olive oil

Liked the focaccia bread that came with the soup so searched the net for recipe, thinking I might try it sometime at home.

zt 意式面包-----佛卡夏(focaccia) 文学城 (附操作图):
"先做面种:
1+1/2杯水,室温
2+1/4小匙酵母(yeast)
1杯高筋面粉(bread flour)

步骤一:水和酵母放玻璃或金属碗里搅拌均匀,再加入面粉拌匀,盖上保鲜膜,室温放置3-4个小小时.图1.*******注:面种也可以头天晚上做,要放冰箱冷藏,过夜,但时间不能超过16个小时.偶一般都是用的室温放置.

再做面团:

面种(上一步已做好的)
2杯高筋面粉
2小匙盐
1/2小匙糖

其他要备的原料:
3大匙橄榄油
nonstick spray(for baking用的)

步骤二:混和2杯面粉,面种,盐,糖在容器里,用HAND MIXER最低速拌匀(偶的HAND MIX上有5种速度),时间约一分钟;再用第2低档的速度搅拌5分钟直到面团表面看起来较光滑.这个时候,面团是较沾手湿润的.(原方是用的stand mixer,偶没有,就用了hand mixer代替.在使用HAND MIXER揉面的时候,面团有可能会随着搅拌棒的搅动而"盘旋"而上,其间可以停下来把面团从搅拌棒上取下,很容易的.然后再继续搅拌......如用 stand mixer先低速一分钟再中低速5分钟).
步骤三:把面团转放入表面喷了一层nonstick spray(for baking用的)的玻璃碗里,揉至面团表面光滑(几下就揉好了),如图2.然后再对着碗里喷上一层nonstick spray,盖上保鲜膜,放在暖和无风的地方发酵至doubled size,约1个半小时到2个小时.如图3

步骤四:准备一个9X13''的玻璃烤盘,滴上3大匙橄榄油,用手或刷子均匀地把烤盘抹上一层橄榄油,把发酵好的面团用手均匀地铺在烤盘里,再盖上保鲜膜,室温.如图4.让烤盘里的面团再次发酵到厚度有一英寸厚度,约1个小时.你会看到面团表面有很多的气泡,那就对了,说明yeast还存在.如图 5.******注意,这一步一定要让面团发酵到一英寸厚,否则烤出来的面包会很薄不松软.

面团的TOPPING

1大匙迷迭香的叶子(rosemary),blanched(blanched的做法在下面,原方是用的2大勺,偶觉得迷迭香的香味太大了点,就减少了用量)
4---5大匙橄榄油
1/4小匙盐(原方是1/2小匙,偶觉得有点咸,也减少了用量)

步骤五:把blanched的迷碟香叶子撒在一寸厚的面团上,如图6.

步骤六:用nonstick spray喷在10个指头上,然后把10个指头伸入到面团底部,使面团上形成一些窝(dimple),如图7*******注意这一步,不要按太多的"窝窝",否则会另面团下塌,10个指头按下去的"窝"就差不多了~~

步骤七:滴上4-5大匙橄榄油在按好"窝"的面团上,看起来油多,但大多都会被吸收,撒上1/4小匙的盐,放入预热好的400F的烤箱,烤25-30分钟.

步骤八:刚出炉的Focaccia面包,色泽诱人又好吃~.烤好后的面包从烤盘里拿出放架上冷却5分钟后再切片

怎么样blanched迷迭香:
水烧开,把迷迭香放在漏勺上入沸水锅里烫上约20秒,然后放入冰水里,,冷却后用厨用纸搽干水份即可使用,用不完的可以放在有拉链的袋里放冷冻室保存一个月.
"

Last bunch of tomatoes 最后一串番茄

上两个星期清理一个番茄时剪下的最后一串，原以为今年不再会有自家种的番茄吃了，但是余下的两棵番茄依然长势不减，不断有变红的果子出现。今年的中都是小颗粒的，不过水分多，也很甜。好多没有及时摘下来都皲裂了有些可惜。

这个时候，乐观派的人就会说，啊，今年夏天的成果真巨大！悲观的家伙们就会暗暗的想，咳，明年的收成就肯定没有这么好了。。。

Last bunch of tomatoes from one of our three tomato plants this year. Didn't expect them to surive into late October, it's the wonder of the summer. Maybe we are expecting another late winter this year.

Do you think about, at this point, celebrating the prosperity of this summer or worrying about the unpredictable summer of next?

小莫里斯与"我爱公费医疗" Morris Minor & I Love NHS

今天在医院停车场看到这辆虽然非常古董但是仍然清新迷人的小莫里斯（Morris Minor）。这款在英国从1948年热卖到1972年的迷你（Mini）车的设计前身果然具有亲和力，圆头圆脑巨可爱，怪不得到现在还是有许多忠实拥趸。

细看之下，这位车迷还是NHS（National Health Servie, 全民保健服务系统）的忠心拥护者，车前窗上贴着I love NHS的小横幅。横幅上写着"要公共服务，不要私人得利"（Public Service, Not Private Profit）。



可以看出，全民保健服务系统还是有很大群众基础的，这是英国二战后建立福利国家warefare state的最重要一环，十九世纪以降几代人努力和骄傲的成果。然而六十多年过去，福利国家系统核心之一的全民保健系统在做出不可否认的成绩的同时也面临重重危机，何去何从是这个国家上至首相下到平民百姓都切身体会深刻关注的问题。虽然经过工党政府过去十年投入巨资全面改革的NHS在许多服务如急诊等待时间，择期手术等待时间等设定改良目标上有长足进展，然而超过6亿英镑的巨债却让人怀疑这个庞大机构的管理及运行效率，也让NHS本身喘不过气来，不停传出关闭医院及裁员等等听起来像头痛医头脚痛医脚的举措。

小莫里斯风行25年，其接班迷你更是到如今依然自领风骚。不知道同属国宝级的全民保健系统是否也能够凤凰涅磐先死而后生呢？

Moon Phase 月相

My Google personalised homepage tells me the moon phase everyday. Today (18 Oct 2006) it says: "waning crescent, 11% of full". I decided to check up the terms used to describe moon phases.

我的google页面每天给我报告月相。说，今天的月相是下弦残月，满度是满月的百分之十一。看它用一堆术语，就查了一下。
上半月

New Moon	新月(朔)
Waxing Cresent	渐满峨嵋月(于新月与上弦月之间)
First Quarter	上弦月(第一个半圆月)
Waxing Gibbous	凸月(于半圆与满月之间)
Full Moon (also: Hunter's Moon)	满月(望)

Funnily enough, a quarter moon is not a quarter of a moon but a half moon in the first or last quarter of the lunar month.
A gibbous moon is the moon phase between bigger than a half moon and smaller than a full moon, called waxing or waning depending on whether it is growing towards or diminishing from a full moon. Wax in English meaning to grow gradually is used in describing the moon, possibly came from the Old German, wachsen, meaning to grow.

下半月

Full Moon	满月(望)
Waning Gibbous	残月 (于满月与下弦月之间)
Last Quarter	下弦月(第二个半圆月)
Waning Cresent	渐残峨嵋月(于半圆与下一个新月之间)

所以也不是很复杂哈。不过是两个crescent 峨嵋月和两个gibbous 凸月/残月而已嘛。不过我老是混淆望月与朔月，不记得哪个是那个。

So, it's not that baffling after all... two crescents, two quarters and two gibbous!

参考来源Reference