Thanks to my friend Ford, this year I have been one of the biggest fan of the local Wing Lin Store.
For the readers who do not know this restaurant, here you are some rough history. The Store has been in Yuen Long for around 30 years, run by a family. You know what, it started with a moving story like 阿信 (おしん). The mother of the current owner (which is the tall bald man) used to sell Chu cheong fun (豬腸粉) with her trolley around Yuen Long to earn the living for her family. It was simple, but not easy, because she risked herself being charged by Health Officers on the street. Be it a sunny day or a rainy day, her fight went on as the wheels of the cart rolled, until she got the enough capital to launch a shop. This was where Wing Lin Store began. That time, they sold Chu cheong fun in the morning, and cigarettes and drinks in the afternoon.
No sooner the tall man took the charge of the store, he decided to make a change by selling Cart Noodles (車仔麵). Its name may be misleading to some extent: It is a restaurant and not a store only; It sells noodles regularly at one place (also providing a comfortable dining place for eaters), rather than a cart selling noodles.
Anyway, it has become one of the best restaurants in this town: Radish, Chicken Wings and Chitterlings, and never forget its mysterious spice (Also the rude attitude of the staff). They have become the trademarks of this very place. Everyday, people in this town or people travelling from other places dare to get a taste of them (including the attitude). They have made a long queue outside. People who know the truth never wonder about it. People who do not are stunned.
I was not particularly fond of this restaurant when I was in secondary school. Actually it is hard for students to queue up for long time at the expense of precious lunch time. Chances usually came after football games, when we would try to grab a bowl of noodles in weekends.
The noodles are challenging to our bodies. The spice has a chemical effect to stimulate our sweat glands to profuse, but at the same time, it also boosts up the activity of our nasal and throat secretion that makes us sneeze and cough. Even worse, our stomach (so as the whole gut) will burn whenever the spice rushes in. Looking at each other's embarrassing response is indeed a fun. The store is so good that it also sells tissue papers (and many soft-drinks).
Speaking of the spice, I am perhaps one of the few customers who request a lot. Ordinary customers will request "little spice" (which is around 1/5 of the spoon they use) when they get the noodles. But to me, my usual request is two whole spoons of spice. My friends always wonder how I can end up finish the whole noodles, and at the same time emptied the whole bowl (with the spicy soups). The trick is simple. Because I never drinks during eating, so my glands will be desensitized at the first time. Eventually, I could try the spice and at the same time not look silly, using a lot of tissue papers.
But today when I ordered the noodles with a request of 3 spoon of spice, the bald man told me "Don't try so much. I've known some people who challenged themselves with our spices, who took similar amount as you did, died from gastric ulcer or intestinal bleed."I was scared. "I will help you this time, but you should try to taper down it next time."
With his advice, I finished this bowl of noodles cautiously. I knew he did not fake. The stimulation has been enormous but I tried to ignore it. But my body has no doubt suffered from it.
Be true to yourself! Don't fake it! And don't be late until the problem comes. These were the words on my mind when I finished the noodles, leaving the bowl filled with the soup. I have decided, thereby, I will not request any spice in the future. Be true to myself. It is hard to endure, so don't pretend it is easy.
Seemingly it is a trivial thing. But in conclusion of everyone's life, what really is a big thing?
31 Dec 2012
30 Dec 2012
Water
One of the most successful strategy in Age of Empires II: The Conquerors (AOC) is the use of Knight Rush. It means that players will try their best to go to the Castle Age as soon as possible (around 16 minutes) in order to start the raiding by some Knights, which can only be produced during the Caste Age.
Like most strategy textbooks says, time means everything in war (兵貴神速). Provided that Knights have high mobility and attacking power, they are the best options to start a quick war to destroy the economics of the enemies. It is an appealing tactics that the opponents can hardly defend in that early stage. Even they decide to defend by developing anti-knight units, the cavalry can still be managed as defensive units. When the enemies comes, Knight units are still the most reliable units, with their speed and armors.
You see, the Knight units in the game is just like water. It can be still but can be aggressive. Water can flow and water can crash, as mentioned by Bruce Lee.
天下莫柔弱於水，而攻堅強者莫之能勝，其無以易之。「弱之勝強，柔之勝剛」，天下莫不知，莫能行。是以聖人云﹕「受國之垢，是謂社稷主；受國不祥，是爲天下王。」正言若反。 (道德經)
Like most strategy textbooks says, time means everything in war (兵貴神速). Provided that Knights have high mobility and attacking power, they are the best options to start a quick war to destroy the economics of the enemies. It is an appealing tactics that the opponents can hardly defend in that early stage. Even they decide to defend by developing anti-knight units, the cavalry can still be managed as defensive units. When the enemies comes, Knight units are still the most reliable units, with their speed and armors.
You see, the Knight units in the game is just like water. It can be still but can be aggressive. Water can flow and water can crash, as mentioned by Bruce Lee.
Empire
There was a kind person from the closed Ensemble Studios who wanted to continue the Age of Empire, a famous real-time strategy game which came to our world 12 years ago.
To many people, these years are a long time. In Hong Kong we have been under the rule of three CEs who were controlled by the King from the north. Everytime a new CE comes, worse things happen. Their leadership has sunken our heart, depleting our talents and destroying our souls. We, as citizens, are going to see something we do not want to see very soon, the so-called the death of Hong Kong.
Politics and governance needs strategy. The lack of strategy (or perhaps a logical mind) of the officials and LegCo made our town from the Imperial Age to the Dark Age. We are in short of vision and we cannot see the enemy. We do not have the knowledge to see the future. Living in the Dark Age simply means we are living in the dark. But in reality we are perhaps worse: we could not even farm our land because the government decided to sell them to the tycoons or the King from the north.
May I suggest our CEs and our LegCo to play this game with the new patch. Oh, I forget to tell you the name of the game. It is called The Forgotten Empires.
However, we never forget how good we used to be before 1997.
To many people, these years are a long time. In Hong Kong we have been under the rule of three CEs who were controlled by the King from the north. Everytime a new CE comes, worse things happen. Their leadership has sunken our heart, depleting our talents and destroying our souls. We, as citizens, are going to see something we do not want to see very soon, the so-called the death of Hong Kong.
Politics and governance needs strategy. The lack of strategy (or perhaps a logical mind) of the officials and LegCo made our town from the Imperial Age to the Dark Age. We are in short of vision and we cannot see the enemy. We do not have the knowledge to see the future. Living in the Dark Age simply means we are living in the dark. But in reality we are perhaps worse: we could not even farm our land because the government decided to sell them to the tycoons or the King from the north.
May I suggest our CEs and our LegCo to play this game with the new patch. Oh, I forget to tell you the name of the game. It is called The Forgotten Empires.
However, we never forget how good we used to be before 1997.
26 Dec 2012
Christmas II
I may not be qualified as a Christian, but Les Misérables touches my heart.
To tell you the truth, I was just at first attracted by the line-up: Hugh Jackman, Russell Gore and Anne Hardaway. I did not appear to have particular interest to Hugo's original novel, nor the famous musical. Had I not read some preview article, I would have not known that the actors will actually sing the pieces in the movie.
But it turned out to be very pleasing. First I never consider this movie a "fun" one that I should bring some popcorn and coke inside the theater. My attitude gets the reward (though I am not sure if the two audience who sit besides me, holding the snacks and making noises, would have the same one).
Masterpiece always shine. To Hong Kong, we did not get the right feeling from this very holiday (in fact, we did not have a good Christmas for a long time since 1997). The days and nights were all commercial. People went to everywhere to spend their money as though tomorrow would never come. This movie is a refreshing one to show what kind of thing we are supposed to bear in mind. More importantly, what we should bear in mind should not be forgotten after Christmas.
To the one who had a dull holiday (like me), this movie is perhaps the highlight of this holiday. After all, I have not gone to church for a long time. This city kept disappointed me, frustrated me and tormented my soul. But this movie is enlightening to show us that how great unconditional love and forgiveness should be. After all, the law of the heaven works only when people really practise it.
The God has again lighted up my way.
To tell you the truth, I was just at first attracted by the line-up: Hugh Jackman, Russell Gore and Anne Hardaway. I did not appear to have particular interest to Hugo's original novel, nor the famous musical. Had I not read some preview article, I would have not known that the actors will actually sing the pieces in the movie.
But it turned out to be very pleasing. First I never consider this movie a "fun" one that I should bring some popcorn and coke inside the theater. My attitude gets the reward (though I am not sure if the two audience who sit besides me, holding the snacks and making noises, would have the same one).
Masterpiece always shine. To Hong Kong, we did not get the right feeling from this very holiday (in fact, we did not have a good Christmas for a long time since 1997). The days and nights were all commercial. People went to everywhere to spend their money as though tomorrow would never come. This movie is a refreshing one to show what kind of thing we are supposed to bear in mind. More importantly, what we should bear in mind should not be forgotten after Christmas.
To the one who had a dull holiday (like me), this movie is perhaps the highlight of this holiday. After all, I have not gone to church for a long time. This city kept disappointed me, frustrated me and tormented my soul. But this movie is enlightening to show us that how great unconditional love and forgiveness should be. After all, the law of the heaven works only when people really practise it.
The God has again lighted up my way.
25 Dec 2012
Christmas
I am never fond of being a fundamental christian (Oh, I am not qualified as a christian after all). But on this very day, there is some inconvenient truth that must be said.
It was known that around 2000 years ago, the child was born today. Because of that, some people decided we should have holidays these days to celebrate this glorious day. For many years, we did. We prepared for it, we enjoyed it for this purpose (though not this purpose only) and we had a great time.
However, when you look outside the window and go along the Victoria harbor, you should know that people might not have even know this holiday is for Jesus Christ. The light decoration has everything but not the religious symbols. What people are carrying are Chanel or Titus. Look at the advertisements and all the commercials. Today has become the glory day of Capitalism, but not the day of Christianity. People are elated with the pulse of materialistic satisfaction and yet they do not realize the meaning.
I might be wrong. Even the Vatican acknowledged recently that the 25th of December is not really the birth date of Jesus Christ. Today may be just another ordinary holiday. Why don't we all take a rest. Merry Christmas.
It was known that around 2000 years ago, the child was born today. Because of that, some people decided we should have holidays these days to celebrate this glorious day. For many years, we did. We prepared for it, we enjoyed it for this purpose (though not this purpose only) and we had a great time.
However, when you look outside the window and go along the Victoria harbor, you should know that people might not have even know this holiday is for Jesus Christ. The light decoration has everything but not the religious symbols. What people are carrying are Chanel or Titus. Look at the advertisements and all the commercials. Today has become the glory day of Capitalism, but not the day of Christianity. People are elated with the pulse of materialistic satisfaction and yet they do not realize the meaning.
I might be wrong. Even the Vatican acknowledged recently that the 25th of December is not really the birth date of Jesus Christ. Today may be just another ordinary holiday. Why don't we all take a rest. Merry Christmas.
21 Dec 2012
Music For Life 2012: De Betties live
They sing better than Matthew himself because they have a higher vision. Let's not forget our old people on the very apocalyptic day.
16 Dec 2012
Lifetime
人生有幾多個十年。
Today I had the most fruitful day with my best friends this year, if not in my life. After so many years, we went hiking today, conquering the HK Trail 1 and 2. It sounded simple, but it turned out born so many fun and joy during the trip.
I am thankful to KH and SC who instantly agreed to join me for this under-prepared trip. After all I just had this idea 2 days ago and had not tried this trail before. Also I feel blessed when the weather was so good today that I should not have prepared anything extra clothing but a pair of sunglasses. In that time of moment, I had all that I wanted and needed for a good trip.
We never ran out of things to talk, as usual. We talked about the philosophy in our minds. Is a human being good or bad in the beginning? What is Deception and the Matrix is about? We also talked about the lives recently -- the exam, the health and the jobs as grown-ups.
But sometimes we chose not to talk during the trip when we felt equally well -- we have known each other so well for so many years. Everything was so unusual today: in the midst of December, we had the blue sky above our heads, birds singing to our ears and winds breezing to our faces. The only usual thing today was we were so happy. It is usual.
Life is hard, and it has become harder in my medical school life without best friends around. Some day I don't really want to wake up in these few years, but it was not today when I had to meet my friends and go to the Peak together with KH and SC. Thanks the God of our universe that just pick up the right combination of particles together, making my friends and me, in a certain time of the his history. I surely cannot ask for more, and shall not want more.
Today I had the most fruitful day with my best friends this year, if not in my life. After so many years, we went hiking today, conquering the HK Trail 1 and 2. It sounded simple, but it turned out born so many fun and joy during the trip.
I am thankful to KH and SC who instantly agreed to join me for this under-prepared trip. After all I just had this idea 2 days ago and had not tried this trail before. Also I feel blessed when the weather was so good today that I should not have prepared anything extra clothing but a pair of sunglasses. In that time of moment, I had all that I wanted and needed for a good trip.
We never ran out of things to talk, as usual. We talked about the philosophy in our minds. Is a human being good or bad in the beginning? What is Deception and the Matrix is about? We also talked about the lives recently -- the exam, the health and the jobs as grown-ups.
But sometimes we chose not to talk during the trip when we felt equally well -- we have known each other so well for so many years. Everything was so unusual today: in the midst of December, we had the blue sky above our heads, birds singing to our ears and winds breezing to our faces. The only usual thing today was we were so happy. It is usual.
Life is hard, and it has become harder in my medical school life without best friends around. Some day I don't really want to wake up in these few years, but it was not today when I had to meet my friends and go to the Peak together with KH and SC. Thanks the God of our universe that just pick up the right combination of particles together, making my friends and me, in a certain time of the his history. I surely cannot ask for more, and shall not want more.
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