The clanging of a bell

I like the crystally clanging sound of the bell.

I particularly like to listen to it outside the church on Christmas eve.

Bells are used in Christian churches as well as Hindu and Buddhist temples as a means of keeping evil away. The bell tolled at funerals is now explained as a signal to the living that a soul is passing to the other side and should be accompanied by prayers. But originally the tolling was intended to prevent evil forces from interfering with the soul's heavenward journey.

In ancient times all over the world, bell was believed that evil spirits could put up with just anything except the clanging of a bell. Over time, the bell itself, even when not ringing, came to be regarded as a powerful lucky symbol. Because it is suspended in a hanging position, it takes on the representation of all life suspended between heaven and earth. Its vault-like shape has become a symbol of heaven.

As for the Chinese, giving someone bells or clocks as gifts shall be avoided, because in Chinese language, giving away bells or clocks is 'Song Zhong'（送钟）, which shares the homophone of 'Song Zhong'（送终）, it means attending upon a dying senior member of one's family.

Green Tea

I like green tea.

While other people stiffen their sinews with something stronger, I merely demand green tea.

How am I addicted to green tea?

When I was a little child, my neighbour Mr old uncle Lin always made a pot of China tea on his dinning table, which was at the corridor, and treating me with enthusiasm. Whenever I was passing by his dinning table, he always stopped me for a cup of tea. He really looked happy when I appreciated his tea.

And soon I developed my own liking of tea - Green Tea.

I have imbued green tea with almost mystical curative and comforting qualities. In moment of crisis, as a remedy for shock; in rushing of my work or study, as a relief for pressure.

Cuckoo Clock

When I was barely three years old, I developed an extraordinary awareness of cuckoo clocks. This awareness was unusual not only for the ardent nature of my interest, but also because of my age.

It all began when I saw there was a melodic clock on top of my mum's cupboard. Later, my dad introduced me to a set of cuckoo clocks, which I promptly scrutinized. When I was in the kindergarten, I regaled my little friends with tales of cuckoo clocks which my elder brother had told me. After asking more tales about cuckoo clocks, my elder brother went to the nearby bookstore to procure a few cuckoo clock picture books I might enjoy. Enjoy? I simply devoured them. As my elder brother read to me, I pondered the miracle of cuckoo clocks of German Black Forest.

It soon became obvious that my love of cuckoo clocks would endure. Anything with cuckoo clocks' pictures elicited from my expressions of sheer glee, so nearly every gift from friends or family catered to my taste. Few years ago, I bought a numbers of cuckoo clocks made of the trunks of German Black Forest, either hanging types or standing types, I adorned the walls and the desk, everywhere in my room with them.

My passion for the cuckoo clocks does not abate. I always search for cuckoo clocks on net and magazines, almost all cuckoo clocks displays enthrall me. It is always my dream that If I could, I would fly to German Black Forest, the original place where my beloved cuckoo clocks are made, and stayed there for a period of my life.

There is no such thing as too much 'Rou Gan'

I believe in Rou Gan (Chinese Dried Meat). As soul food and comfort food, as a cuisine of both solace and celebration. When I'm feeling good, I want Rou Gan. And when I'm feeling bad, I just want Rou Gan more.

I believe in Rou Gan in all its flavours, either normal, spicy or super spicy, and in shapes that range from strips, slices or pieces.

I believe in Rou Gan, there is no such thing as too much Rou Gan - either it is good, bad or in-between, old-fashioned pit-smoked or high-tech and modern, as long as it is Rou Gan.

In the last few years, researchers have confirmed that cooking meat too long over a dry, intense heat creates small amounts of at least two kinds of compounds that can lead to cancer, but I just don't care, I will eat less but won't give up Rou Gan.

Existing without gimmickry, without the infernal swindles and capering of so much of contemporary cuisine, Rou Gan is truth; it is history and home, and the only thing I don't believe is that I'll ever get tired.

My age & my books

The older I grow,

The wiser I go.

The poorer I have become,

The more books I have in sum.

The grass is greener on the other side of the fence

Yesterday I mowed my lawn.

The grass was rampant as it was, greenless than it was.

And I found that my neigbour's was in healthy green.

The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.

Just like others' girlfriends are always prettier, others' houses are always bigger, others' cars are always 'wower'.

So do others.