Saturday, December 31, 2005

Year 2005 in Review

For Lei and Jimmy, year 2005 has been eventful. In mid October, we both took a two month leave from work and trotted around in China. We enjoyed Shanghai’s saut?ed river shrimps, Chendu’s deadly hotpot, Jiuzhai’s lakes, Lijiang’s sunshine, Hutiaoxia’s adventurous hike, Beijing’s hutong, Yangshuo’s bamboo rafting, Hong Kong’s dim sum, and Taipei’s 24 hour bookstore. We wrapped up the journey around mid December, and were both thankful to be back in New York in one piece.

Jimmy continues to work as an IT manager at CSFB. He finished a multi-year development project in May for the Mortgage Backed Securities business. Jimmy successfully promoted someone, which was a big deal for him because it took a lot of work to convice the committee. He also joined Toastmasters International to learn to be a better public speaker. Jimmy’s two month paid sabbatical was approved with strong backing from his manager, making the China trip possible. Jimmy is now back at work running the database team as part of a new data-warehousing project.

This year, Lei has topped over a 26 story residential building in Battery Park City for Bovis. She was the project manger for the core and shell program, as well as the lobby interior program. She also was licensed as a NYC site safety manger and a green building professional. Honestly, she doesn’t know much about both. She was just good at taking tests. Lei has been perplexed about quitting work. She aspires to be an entrepreneur but can’t gather enough courage to face the uncertainty. As 2005 comes and goes, the question of “to be and not to be” shall continue.

In January, we helped Jimmy’s parents finish a renovation of their apartment in Queens in time for Chinese New Year. For the second year in a row, we went on the 42-mile New York City Bike Tour of the five boroughs in May with friends. In July, we both attended a 10-day meditation retreat conducted by Master Sheng Yen in Pinebush, New York. In August, we bought a real estate investment and Jimmy’s mom helped managed the renovation, the day after which it was rented out. In September, Lei helped her father sell his apartment in the East Village, saving him the real estate agent commission. Finally, Lei received her green card, three years after we applied for it when we got married.

Lei is particular proud of her younger brother, who was recently accepted into China Airlines’ pilot program. Equally, she is proud of her father, who got his master degree from National Chiao Tung University in Taiwan.

We both started our own blogs this year, and find them very useful for keeping in touch with families abroad. We are thankful that our parents are healthy, and grateful for our good friends whom we shared many good memories throughout this year.

Happy New Year, Everyone!!!
Lei and Jimmy.

Wednesday, December 28, 2005

病了

這陣子玩得太瘋,剛到家就病了。連續咳了三四天,去看醫生,居然是肺炎。這幾天稱大小老板都不在,請了ㄧ星期的病假,在家休息,現在恢復的差不多了,謝謝老弟老爸的關心。

上海 vs. 台北 vs. 香港

對台北是有私心的,
在大中國地區的幾個城市跑了一圈,
不管上海的摩天大樓有多高,
北京的廣場多有氣派,
香港多有效率,
灰灰但有人情味的台北市永遠是小米的最愛。
轉貼一篇頗有同感的訪問。

陳文茜專訪馬英九:
陳文茜:在兩年前的時候,《新聞週刊》,曾經對台北市做了一個報道,這一位寫文章的記者曾經在台北的《中國時報》任職,經過幾年他後來派駐香港和北京,他寫過一篇《台北是一個比過去太可以居住的城市》、這篇報道?面他特別提到一些軟體,這幾年北京和上海的硬體大幅度的超越了台北,但是在軟體部分台北還是有它的優勢、我想請教一下馬英九市長,你自己作為一個台灣的最大城市的市長,而且你是國民黨現在的黨主席,未來很多人期待你成為這個地區最主要的領導者,你看到大陸的進步,你自己的感受是什麼?

馬英九:一方面我當然為他們感到高興,因為他們經過一段很長時間停滯不前,改革開放以後差不多20年的時間有這樣的,在整個中國歷史上來講都是非常難能可貴的。另外一方面台灣快速發展的階段大概過去了,現在進入了著重文化、著重生活品質的城市,換句話說,硬體的建設還是要繼續,但是步調已經趨緩,現在強調的可能是這個城市的文化、城市的溫馨、人與人之間的關懷,居民能夠犧牲一點小利,成全大我的一種公民意識,這些方面我們要花很多時間去培養。因為一個城市的偉大,其實不完全是靠它的建築,建築可以使城市變大,但是只有這種文化、溫馨才能使城市變偉大?

Friday, December 09, 2005

Time to go home

阿媽一家

老爸生日

Oh boy, time really flies. Going back to NYC next Tuesday
....... or maybe Thursday.
真的捨不得離開台灣...
本來禮拜二的飛機延到禮拜四,有點貪玩,
機會難得,就放縱到底吧!

Thursday, December 01, 2005

Back in Taiwan

Bibo


My favorite thing to do: 逛夜市&看壹週刊

鼎泰豐小龍包...口水流ㄚ流


We are approaching the tail end of our long journey. Back to Taiwan. Have been resting in grandma's house in Keelung, watched upsetting election news, and eat night market evreyday.... no agenda.... no plan....

Got a cell phone number. Feel free to call us. Receiving phones are free. We have limited internet access here.

+886 961 162 226

Wednesday, November 23, 2005

11/24 祝大家感恩節快樂



早上起來(其實不早),不自主的又走到瘦子桂林米粉,
挺著小肚肚(不是小強),逛啊逛的,
決定今天去kayak.
之後的日子像光速般的過去....
11/25 went back to HK
11/26 architectural tour, lunch with yoyo, 下午被maggie帶去旺角做蠱惑仔.
11/27 had kick ass dim sum with 小姑姑, picked up the suit
11/28 leaving HK

11/23 徒步漂流漓江





真 是完美的一天!坐小巴到楊堤,徒步兩公里到浪石,竹筏漂流上癮了,在浪石又上了竹筏,漂了十公里到九馬畫山.這一段可是漓江最精華的一段,美呆了.本來要 從九馬畫山?渡到對岸,在走到興坪,但不小心上了趕集的黑心船,船家不老實讓我們走回頭路,好險我們及時發覺在下一站下船,沒給他錢.走了六公里路,一路 上的田園風光和漓江山水,到興坪剛好天黑,坐小巴回揚朔.大小米餓死了,合吃完一大桶飯.

遊漓江建議行程:
桂林(小巴)-冠岩(渡船)-楊堤(徒步)-浪石(竹筏)-九馬畫山(徒步)-興坪(小巴)-楊朔

Tuesday, November 22, 2005

11/22 漂流遇龍河

桂林米粉真的好吃,秤斤秤兩的賣,一碗白呼呼的,自助的加點酸菜,辣椒,辣蘿蔔,海帶,香菜,蔥,滷蛋,和大骨湯,一碗兩塊人民幣.吃玩後,導遊小徐(20歲)帶我們騎單車到驥馬渡口,竹筏漂流遇龍河,漂流可好了!靜,漂在水上,人都溶入山水了(讚).之後,在田野中又騎了一陣子,到月亮水岩探險(爛透了),回到楊朔剛好天黑,吃了一鍋超嫩但份量有點多的班魚火鍋.

11/21 灕江遊, 印象劉三姐

我們在桂林上了大遊(賊)船去揚朔,咳,真是個錯誤的選擇!要去揚朔的朋友千萬不要效仿,貴,船太大,人多,馬達聲惱人,壞了這一片大好風景.游灕江一定要坐竹筏,漂在水面上,才能體會灕江的美.坐竹筏的行程會比較複雜,下次的post會詳細解釋.下午到了楊朔就開始一家一家的找民宿,(經驗累積)在古鎮類型的地方找住宿,要先看床位,砍價,再住下.這次的房間是150RMB一晚,有客廳,也有電腦.晚上,看了印象劉三姐,張藝謀導的,用真實山水做佈景,燈光,歌聲,滿天的星星,美到不行.

11/20 桂林,我的媽呀?!

桂林是一個尷尬的城市,說大不大,說小不小.城市的中央有一個聳天的石柱,大小米付了門票,爬上看了桂林全景,不值.廣西的餐館比較野蠻,我們去了所謂的小吃一條街,餐廳的門口堆了一籠籠的蛇,田鼠,蝎,和奇怪的東東,恐怖.... 明天趕緊走人.

11/16~11/19 粒粒芒果爽

一到香港機場,就給他狠狠的喝了一大杯許留山的粒粒芒果爽. 大小米香港是來過了,所以沒計畫去哪玩,就看些親戚朋友,吃吃東西.對香港的印像一直很好,尤其這次是從大陸過來,法制/非法制/文明/非文明的對比更是強烈.這次看了好多朋友哦!星期四和Magpie在蓮香樓吃傳統飲茶(讚),排隊吃有名的蛋塔(平平),下午去Yoyo酷酷的書店沙龍(讚),晚上去了一家叫大平伙的四川私房菜(平平).第二天,繼續,吃吃吃,和Ling到鏞記吃燒鵝(讚,但太貴),下午坐電車游車河,吃滿記甜品(超讚),Magpie帶我們到文華買Cheese Cake,再做船到Discovery Bay他們家作客,Magpie的爸媽都好有趣味,像是一對香港喜劇蹦出來的人,和他們笑了一晚!(應觀眾要求,超讚!)第三天,再吃!和小姑,小姑丈到一家潮州餐廳(超讚),聊的也很愉快. 下午坐火車到深圳和認識很多很多年的小學同學Kelly and fiance見面,多謝I-chen的大力介紹,我們在丹桂軒吃的爽也聊的爽(超讚).Kelly的部落不錯,大家捧捧場哦.

Tuesday, November 15, 2005

11/15 上海的最後一夜


要離開上海去香港ㄛ!這次多虧了大姑的照顧,到香港要投靠小姑,有姑姑罩真不賴。

去了趟上海的TC會所,很有規模ㄛ,可惜沒人在。

晚上在家和眾親戚吃的ㄧ大桌的菜。

11/14 上海老吉士




回上海有點像回家的感覺,
有大姑,姑丈,和每天在家裡進進出出的嬸嬸,孃孃,和阿叔。
晚上和大姑到上海老吉士吃了ㄧ頓,
看到夏台鳳也在吃(化裝有夠濃的,還帶了ㄧ個怪帽),
過了氣的明星看起來好尷尬。
言歸正傳,老吉士實在好吃,

吃了:
鹹雞,紅棗夾糯米,清炒河蝦,梅菜桂魚,紅燒肉,塌菰菜炒竹筍,蟹黃薺菜豆腐湯。

這陣子我們的嘴都吃刁了,
ㄟ.... 回紐約要吃什麼ㄚ?

11/13 黃山二



黃山的第二天我們登上了光明頂(張無忌沒碰上),蓮花峰(黃山最高峰,難爬),和其它記不清的峰。晚上差了ㄧ點點沒坐上纜車,回黃山市,又給它吃上ㄧ盤油燜玉蘭筍,坐了夜車回上海!

註:
1. 大米肚子吃壞了,不舒服。(現在好了,大家不用擔心。)
2. 在黃山上看到了很多穿高跟鞋西裝爬山的大陸人,佩服佩服!

11/12 黃山一

黃山是舊地重游,九八年是爬下來的,
那時雙腳發軟,是邊走邊念佛號下山的。
這次學乖了,坐纜車!
黃山最近新開發ㄧ條徒步路線,
西海大峽谷,六小時的路,
霧大,景色是有ㄧ時沒ㄧ時,
不過得來不意,看到時,覺的特美,像極了國畫。
為了符合這次的 theme,大小米又摸黑趕路,
黃山五點就天黑了!
好險大米的手機有燈,
我們就用手機走了快兩個小時的路,
這次旅行,大小米像極了兩個天竺鼠,
吃飽了,就跑!
跑累了,就吃!

Friday, November 11, 2005

11/11 古徽州 - 宏村


古徽州是嚮往很久的,去看了拍臥虎藏龍的景,參觀了ㄧ連串的徽派建築,不管是石雕還是木雕都很精緻,徽派建築的特色是牆高,窗小,天窗大,門面體面,粉牆黛瓦,因明清時代徽商長期在外,所以房子的安全是很重要的。宏村可以去,但住不得,古民居太潮濕,有點噁!

11/10 上海

跟大姑去吃了個飲茶,晚上坐夜班車到黃山。軟臥沒買到,坐了硬臥,一覺睡到黃山。

註:做硬臥的決竅是要一上臥一下臥,這樣子下臥的位就沒阿貓阿狗來坐。

Wednesday, November 09, 2005

11/9 在上海沖電

終於回上海了!大小米在大姑姑家躺了一整天,沒出門。

11/8 798 Factory

798 factory is THE art scene of Beijing. A bit far, but worth the visit. Much larger, more free spirited, and more primitive than a comparable space in Shanghai.

http://www.ynet.com/view.jsp?oid=3885557

11/7 在北京混了ㄧ天

在北京混了ㄧ天,
吃了老北京炸醬麵,難吃,服務差!
之後晃到天壇,看見ㄧ個到了入學年齡但在街頭賣藝的小妹妹,心疼了好久...
又晃到景山公園看日落,晚上在據說很有名的利群和人拼桌ㄡ吃了一隻鴨。
坐上了一部奇怪的電動三輪車看霸王別姬去!
(See Riceman's blog for lively description of the ride)

11/6 胡同游

九八年來過北京一趟,住在北大的勺園,印象好的不得了。
不知是城變了,還是人變了,這次對北京的感覺不怎麼的。
灰灰的,老塞車,
人沒四川漂亮,吃的沒上海好,陽光沒雲南溫暖,
文化嗎,也許有,但短短幾天很難感受到。
去了趟胡同游,(recommended)
吃東華門夜市。(not recomended)

Saturday, November 05, 2005

11/5 司馬台長城

到北京好像非得去一趟長城,
幾年前小米去過八達嶺,
這次去爬司馬台的古長城,
陡峻,人少,可惜霧(smog)大,能見度不大。

註:
這次是跟兩個東北小青年包了ㄧ台車,大小米拼桌的技術是愈來愈“火紅“。
晚上在東來順涮了鍋羊肉。

11/4 紫禁城

本來要去桂林和楊朔的,
三天之內的飛機票都沒能買上,
結果去了北京,
到了北京城,一片灰濛濛的,
剛離開懶散的麗江,
一下子不太能適應大城市的腳步。
晚上在全聚得吃了半隻鴨。

在北京的第一晚,大小米住在竹園四合院賓館,想感受老北京風情,清朝時代這個四合院是慈禧身旁太監小安子的大宅,住的是陰深深的,毛骨悚然,想像和現實是有距離的,第二天趕快走人。

11/3 麗江瓦貓 - 北京


麗江的屋頂上仔細看都有一隻小獸,
有人說是貓,有人說是麒麟,
麗江人都這瓦裝飾叫瓦貓,
有辟邪的作用。
大大的嘴,瘦小的身,
樣子抱歉到有點可愛。
小米愛死瓦貓了,抱了兩隻回家。

11/2 束河

束河是ㄧ個在麗江幾公里外的古鎮,
古樸許多許多,
在束河找到了想像中的麗江,
“鄉村天空“的低音老歌,
雲南的咖啡,懶貓,和陽光,
好暖活的世外桃源ㄚ!

附:
1. 束河有分新城和老城之分,新城沒什麼,可以快步通過,老城的韻味好多了!
2. 去束河的朋友,先跟一家民宿連絡好,可以免門票,住不住看了再說。
3. 聽說束河有幾戶台灣人家,碰到一個台灣來的咖啡店老闆。
4. 想想把紐約的房給賣了,搬來束河悠然見南山,也何嘗不是一件雅事。

11/1 虎跳峽徒步的第二天

虎跳峽徒步的第二天

早上吃了昨晚剩下的雞湯加麵條,小肚子暖暖的上路去中虎跳。在老馮那邊又碰到幾位年輕人,兩位從稻城玩過來的北京小夫婦,兩位從重慶來的帥哥美女,一位帶了很多麵包從北京來的老先生,孟哥,桂桂,大米,和小米,就這樣子九個人浩浩蕩蕩的一起上路。今天的路程相對來說簡單很多,上午走了兩小時從 HALFWAY 到中虎跳的張老師家,在張老師家吃飯,下午走了三小時到峽谷底。下午大家合包了一台麵包車回麗江,途中又碰到兩個嘻嘻哈哈的深圳人,大家連同司機在麗江吃了冷鍋魚(其實是熱的),超大洗臉盆裝了數隻麻辣魚,沒公筷,大家洗筷子,可想而知,大小米第二天肚子不太靈光。

10/31 虎跳峽徒步的第一天

想好好的寫虎跳峽,有太多回憶,太好的風光,和一路上碰到的人物。徒步虎跳峽可從下游的大具或上游的橋頭出發,橋頭的車比較多,而且回程去玉龍雪山走橋頭可也逃票,但二十八拐那段會是走上坡,見仁見智!從麗江到橋頭的車,是一個很誇張的胖大姐開的車,車上大多是老外,我們的兩個月假期跟他們比真是小巫見大巫,有兩個澳洲人休四個月,有兩個荷蘭人休一年半,還是歐洲人會過日子啊!虎跳俠全程只有二十多公里,但路險,愛照相,進度特慢的。一路上的民宿多,慢慢走可走三天,快的可走兩天。開始徒步時,我們向一個牽著騾的大叔問了路,之後大叔就緊跟著我們,看中了小米可能會不支倒地坐他的騾,大小米很爭氣的走到中午,不過大叔也不介意,一路上跟我們吹牛,後來發現所謂的大叔,也只不過二十八歲!午飯,大小米是光著大腳丫,坐著小凳,曬著太陽,望著雪山,在納西雅閣吃了農家菜~安逸啊.下午四點,我們走到了茶馬客棧,天人交加,不知是該繼續還是住下來...這時來了兩位貴人,來自貴州的孟哥和桂桂,他們要繼續向前往HALFWAY前進,有他們壯膽,我們算了天黑的時間和路程,也決定繼續.趕了兩個小時的路,天漸漸黑了,大小米也漸漸害怕了,路太險,左邊是山崖,右邊是山谷....埋頭趕路啊!!!天就要全黑時,我們聽到了笛聲,隨著高人指點摸黑,幾分後就抵達HALFWAY,像極了武俠小說有驚無險的情節!到了HALFWAY,店主人老馮看到我們,二話不說的就帶我們房間把背包卸下,老馮做生意很公道,每個床位都是不二價二十人民幣。晚上和兩位貴人和吃了老土雞湯配貴州辣椒,也許是來老馮的驢友以老外居多,吃到一半老馮也跑來和我們吹牛,講他開店的因緣,擔憂虎跳峽鎢礦的過度開發,和建水壩的可能性。有能耐的背包客還可從HALFWAY上哈巴雪山,但一定要有一定的準備和裝備,不然會出事的,當然啦,大小米還沒這個能耐。晚上和大米一起看滿天有點誇張的星星(實在多的嚇人),大米看得好開心ㄛ!





Sunday, October 30, 2005

10/30 麗江-東巴古樂

昨天到麗江時已經晚了,隨便的住進旅遊書推薦的背包客天堂 - Dongba House,五塊錢美金一晚,爛的可以了!第二天游走了幾個民居,在半山腰的獅子城住了下來,推開窗能看見大研古城,有熱水,乾淨的被,好心的楊大姐,十塊錢美金一晚,講價到八塊,夫復合求。下午安排虎跳峽徒步,找路線圖,買食糧,安排車票,喝咖啡,晒太陽,聽東巴古樂,早早睡覺,明天爬山去。

10/29 都江堰

都江堰的水利工程實在了不得!西元兩百年前的工程,把岷江水一分為二,三個工程體,“魚嘴”分水提,“飛沙堰”溢洪道,“寶瓶口”引水口。李冰父子是小米最新偶像ㄡ!

http://www.dujiangyan.org/dujiangyan.htm

Thursday, October 27, 2005

10/28 成都好勒



對成都的印象好勒!小吃,三輪車,麻辣鍋,帥哥美女,茶館,入耳的川話,比起北京上海,小米獨鍾成都。下午到了成都,看見成群放學的小學生買小吃,我們也跟著起鬨,吃辣涼面,吃肉串,喝奶茶,過癮!之後,還是忍不住,到皇城老媽吃了麻辣鍋,best 麻辣鍋 ever!

10/27 黃龍

在黃龍又走了八公里的路,下著雪,高山氣候,海拔三千多,走兩步就開始喘,買了兩罐氧氣桶,吸口氣似乎好些,不知是心裡作用還是啥!?黃龍山上的塊塊彩池,映著雪山,有一點超現實的感覺。

小記:從九寨到黃龍的路上,包了一台車,羌族的鄧先生,很有生意頭腦,一路上說兩岸,說他會唱歌的老婆,他倆離鄉背井的情況,說他老婆去香港血拼,嘻嘻哈哈的,下黃龍之後,請鄧先生吃了晚飯,四菜一湯,二十美元有找。如果有朋友去九寨可找鄧先生訂房,接車。

10/26 九寨溝


為了避開人群,早上大小米在九寨逆向行駛,
從盆景灘,到蘆葦海,臥龍海,樹正海,老虎海,犀牛海,諾日朗,
一路步行,走了15公里,九寨溝的蘆葦海是美!
下午吃了晚飯,也想用同一招逛日則溝,沒輒勒,人多的實在有點少興。

Tuesday, October 25, 2005

10/25 連爺爺, 您又來啦

九寨溝的第一天, 大小米飽足一餐後, 在旅館大廳碰上了連戰和方瑀, 小米大聲的說 "連爺爺, 您回來啦!", 後來有人複和著說 "連爺爺, 您又回來啦!". 引起一陣的共鳴和笑聲, 趣事一件.

九寨溝的美是沒話說.

Monday, October 24, 2005

10/24 天府之國

今天到了天府之國 - 四川成都. 第一站是杜甫草堂, 優靜, 簡普, 一片片的竹海, 有別於之前江南的小橋流水人家. 在杜甫草堂, 大小米不自覺的想到 Chien Chien, 如果大哥在這裡, 想必是詩興大發.

After that, we had a heavenly dinner at 龍炒手, 10 different kinds of 成都小吃 for less then $2 USD. The food is great, very "ma", not so "la. The way "Ma La" dish is supposed to be.

After dinner we went to see Sichuan opera "Changing face". Performance is great, audience sucks. Mostly tourist group from HK and TW, no one claps for some strange reason. Ricaman and Leigo clap like crazy for the rest of the audience.

The "Ma La Tang" here smells good, we did not get to eat any, too full. It's about 1 US Cent per stick!

Going to Jiou Zhai tomorrow.

BTW, a note to Chien Chien, the girls in Si Chuan are super pretty. You got to come here!

Sunday, October 23, 2005

10/23 Du Zha Ha

在上海的最後一夜,
大小米很有口福的吃了大閘蟹,
秋高氣爽,正是吃蟹的好季節。
大閘蟹的肉普普,但蟹黃真是美味。
明天要西征內陸,
兩星期內大概不會有網路。
祝福我們吧!

Saturday, October 22, 2005

10/22 Mayday

期待已久,大小米終於在上海盼到了五月天!滿場的 diehard fans,三小時不停的唱,喊,跳,搖頭,擺手,哭,瘋狂到極點!很驚訝的是,五月天唱了很多台語,而且大家都會唱。在虹口足球場,八萬個上海朋友,用台語齊唱“ㄍㄧㄡ ㄨㄚ 第一名“的同時,感覺中國已經被統一了…… Wuhahahaha! 中華民國萬歲!

Friday, October 21, 2005

10/21 同里

在同里還逛了幾個江南庭園,退思園算是名氣大的,但遊客太多,雅氣全無。之後逛了珍珠塔,名氣小人少,到有幾分韻味。小米還買了兩個紫沙壺,茶罐,茶盤,爽ㄚ!從蘇州回上海時,火車票“緊張“,大小米做了硬鋪,體驗了人生百態,真正的中國。

Thursday, October 20, 2005

10/20 同里



在建築師安姐姐強力推薦下,大米和小米去了一趟同里水鄉,住在一家叫正福草堂的民居,很像古代小說中的客棧,可惜大小米輕功還沒練成(目前輕功程度還停留在離地三公分),這樣的情景倒是很適合飛簷走壁。言歸正傳,整體來說,同里規劃的很好,有一點商業化,但還不至於太俗氣。晚上,大小米在河邊民居小攤吃了一條太湖白魚,和小貓玩,之後用三塊人民幣跟山東大叔買了一根甘蔗,邊走邊啃,痞子逛大街,

Wednesday, October 19, 2005

10/19 幹活

今天幹了些活,到 Bovis 上海分公司拜碼頭。
也去看了一間建材工廠,對工廠的規模印像深刻。
看樣子,小米單飛,是八字有ㄧ撇。

Tuesday, October 18, 2005

10/18 莫干山路、滄浪亭、孫中山故居、馬勒別墅


We discovered a really cool place in Shanghai - Muoganshan Road. It's very much like SOHO in its old days. Lots of cool artists and galleries in LOFT space. I think it's a good investment to buy real estate around that area. Up and coming for sure. Besides from that, we also went to see Dr. Sun's old house in the French Concession. Love those old mansions there. Really wish we can buy one and renovate it. Leigo, the real estate tycoon at work, once again.

Then we went to Moller Villa to have a great sip of afternoon tea.

For dinner, we got to enjoy another round of Shanghai home-style cook out. And went to the facility downstairs for KTV. The facility is awesome with top notch design. Very cool.

Monday, October 17, 2005

10/17 新天地, 城隍廟, 春餐廳


In the morning, 四嬸和大姑丈 went to a nearby market to buy 薺菜包子,糯米蓮藕,and soy milk, what a great breakfast! Later that day, we went to 新天地, a bit commercial, but no doubt a space with top notch design. Then we went to 城隍廟 to look around and ate at 綠波廊,we enjoyed their miniature dumplings and many other desserts. After lunch, we headed to Shanghai Museum at People's Square, and then the Bond. At NY Time's recommendation, we went to a home style restaurant with three tables 春餐廳,probably our greatest meal so far: 大甲蟹年糕, 醬鴨,油爆沙蝦,雪豆苗,等等等,好吃極了!大姑今天出院,家裡一下變得熱鬧好多!

Sunday, October 16, 2005

10/16 老房子, 埔東醜珠

We got a cell phone: +86 1316 282 1409. Had a great kick-off in Shanghai. With lots and lots of relatives here, it really makes Shanghai feel like home. Ate extremly well in the past two day. Guess what?! We can't see our own blogs, the website is blocked by the Chinese goverment! 沒天理ㄚ! But we can post and read your comment via email though......

早上在〝王家沙“吃了生煎包,紅豆湯圓,玆米糕,薺菜餛飩,之後看了宋美齡,白崇禧,杜月笙的老房子,還很驢的帶著奶奶爬上埔東醜醜的珠,等了幾乎兩個小時的隊,真不值得。早知道到經貿大樓喝咖啡,高貴不貴,又不用等,可惜大姑丈放馬後砲,當天晚上才告訴我們。不過珠珠樓下的上海歷史館挺有看頭的。晚上到〝毛豆阿姨“吃本幫菜,小米累到不行,頭痛,嘔吐,又自導自演了一齣小強歷險記,I didn't get to eat anything that night, but Jimmy, 四嬸,奶奶,really enjoyed tha dinner, for detail see Jimmy's blog.

Thursday, October 13, 2005

T minus 1 day

One more day of work, and we are off on our long journey to China.
Haven't packed yet, haven't mail the package to Adi, haven't gone to
the bank for Dad, and haven't tie lots of loose ends.......Aiyaya!
Tomorrow will be a hectic day. Anyway, we are very excited. The
flight is around 10PM. The next post will probably be from Shanghai.

Our contacts in Asia are:
Shanghai Lei's Aunt +86 21 6288 5275
Taipei Lei's Dad +886 3398 7347

PS: Thanks Eueu and Agenila for taking care of our plants.

Tuesday, October 04, 2005

倒數計時

再過十天就要遠行了!
今天從工地回家的路上,聽著五月天,
天還亮著,打棒球的,接小孩的,趕路的,遛狗的,騎腳踏車的,
討錢的,賣藝的,黑的,白的,黃的,不黑不白的,
紐約的一切顯得特別的理所當然,自在,
突然覺得一陣......捨不得。

Wednesday, September 28, 2005

Backpack?!

Since Riceman and Leigo are planning to "back-pack" China. We started doing research on back-packs. We went to EMS yesterday. There are lots of different kinds and sizes of back-packs to choose from. The sales at EMS are usually expert outdoor gurus who know their shit. So we asked for some help. Summary of the conversation goes:

Leigo: Need some help with the backpacks.
Sales: How long is the trip?
Leigo: About 2/3 weeks.
Sales: Are you carrying your own sleeping bags and tent?
Leigo: No, we will be staying at hotels.
Sales: Are you carrying your own food for two weeks?
Leigo: Food?? Why?! We buy them as we go.
Sales: Are you carrying your own water for two weeks?
Leigo: Water?? We will be buying water.
Sales: Oh...so basically you will be carrying some clothes and some books.
Leigo: Basically, yeah.

Sales walks Leigo and Riceman over to the day pack section, and point to a typical school bag, "If you guys pack light, a day pack is all you need".......

本來想很隨性的流浪中原,
像李大哥一樣, 走到哪裡睡哪裡.
但習性難改, 擔心這個擔心那個,
怕苦,怕髒,怕被騙,
想瀟灑卻瀟灑不起,
真是哭笑不得.

停止成長

一個人如果停止成長或學習, 是一件很恐怖的事...

Tuesday, September 27, 2005

阿共的大使館

早上大米和小米到阿共的大使館辦簽證,
新的一棟樓,建築算不上高明,但夠氣派的,
加上外面坐著幾個很猛的oh-ba-san在練法輪功,
大法加持,更增添樓的氣勢!
進去填表,送件,服務態度,比想像中的有效率很多,
但............不知道為什麼,
大小米到了阿共的地盤,會不自覺的緊張,
好像有什麼不妥,卻又說不上來.

我們的路線做了一些調整:
紐約-上海-杭州-黃山-江南水鄉(同里 and more)-
上海五月天-成都小吃-九寨溝-稻城-中甸-麗江-
大理-上海-北京-上海-香港-台北-紐約

We took Xi-An and Hua Shan out of the picture to make room for the Mayday concert!

Adi's latest pics


Ba, here is Adi's latest pic. Looks pretty good, huh?! I think he gained some more weight.

Sunday, September 25, 2005

現世報? 小強?

前幾天在安排大陸行程時,
開始譏笑大米的胃,說他吃什麼就拉什麼。
昨天和果谷浩浩蕩蕩的一群人聚會,
突然頭痛,反胃,嘔吐,猛跑廁所。
大家很關心問是不是有了小強?
害我們也開始懷疑。
今天早上用科學實驗證明,
原來小米駁命演出的這齣戲
是叫”現世果報”
不是叫“小強歷險記“。

Tuesday, September 20, 2005

We booked our tickets, finally!

10/13 NYC - TPE
10/15 TPE - HKE
10/15 HKE - SH
OPEN SH - HKE
OPEN HKE - TPE
12/15 TPE - NYC

Need to start booking domastic flights within China. Places that we want to visit are: 上海, 成都, 九寨溝, 稻城(maybe), 西安, 華山, 徽州, 黃山, 江南小鎮s, 北京. If any of you guys have restaurant, hotel, or any suggestion, please ........... let us know. Feeling a little nervious and excited.

Sunday, September 18, 2005

世紀豪華婚禮

昨天參加了一個歎為觀止的婚禮,從名牌禮服,到結婚典禮放白鴿,晚宴的排場,舞獅,超厲害的樂團,入口即溶的雪魚,和巧可力噴泉,每個細節簡直都是一百分以上。對這一對新人實在佩服的五體投地。厲害厲害。一整天,Leigo, Eatgod and 娘娘, 好像每人拿著隱形的 price tag gun 很雞婆的幫人家計算價錢,用“財力雄厚“來形容這場婚禮應該是恰當的!

Wednesday, September 14, 2005

敗家行徑之一、二


In the past week, Riceman had his eyes on the newly released orange cell phone by Sony. Leigo had her eyes on the newly released Ipod nano. They granted each other's wishes recently. 真是敗家! Ha Ha! Riceman has been playing around with his cell phone for solid two days now..... can't hear anything Leigo was saying.......

Thursday, September 08, 2005

在東村的日子

人跟房子會有感情的.
大二那年搬進2K,一住就是七年。
在台北老家也不過只住了七年,
以時間來算,2K有足夠資格能做第二個老家。
很多長大的回憶都有東村和2K的影子。
當時搬進去,萬萬沒想到多年後會買下來,
當時買下時,萬萬沒想到多年後房價會暴漲,
昨天,奉父命,到律師樓簽約把2K賣了!
算是跟在東村的日子,正式的道別。

書原

Thanks to Wendy and Chien Chien, I went a great book store last weekend in Flushing - 書原. 種類很多, 有古典文學, 畫冊, 和線裝書. 重點是..........價錢是不可思異的便宜. 不過.... (there is always a catch to anything) 書的排列不整齊, 而且是簡體. 那天Chien Chien說是他多年來最快樂的一天, 感同身受, 我在書店笑的下巴都要掉下來. 快事一件.

這次買的書有.....
吳昌碩線裝畫冊
李敖回憶錄
李熬有話說
中國茶藝
中國飲食
于光中左手的掌紋

Saturday, September 03, 2005

7x7

人是善變的.......

Seven things you plan to do before you die:
1. Design and build our own house
2. Study architecture at GSD
3. Become a real estate developer
4. Get enlightened - live a liberated life
5. Have kids
6. Learn how to read / write classical Chinese
7. Live near a beach and surf all day long

Seven things you can't do:
1. Keep a secret
2. Keep quiet
3. Live by myself
4. Wake up early
5. 比手語
6. Stick with one thing for a long time, with the exception of Riceman
7. Live in the suburb

Seven things you can do:
1. Swim faster than Jimmy
2. Build big buildings
3. Have good eyes for real estate / architecture
4. Good at pushing
5. 隨喜他人的成就
6. Draw / paint / caligraphy / seal carving
7. Sleep for 24 hours or more

Seven things that attract you to the opposite sex:
1. Upright
2. Tall
3. Manly
4. Unpretentious
5. Caring
6. Athletic
7. Good father

Seven things you say most:
1, OK, Bye Bey.
2. Sh*t!
3. 要你管
4. 怎樣!
5. 為麼?
6. 然後ㄌㄟ
7. 我寧願….

Seven celebrity crushes / 崇拜的人:
1. 金城武
2. 李敖
3. Sean Connery
4. Clark Gable
5. 馬英九
6. 梁朝偉
7. 鍾鎮濤

Seven people you want to take this quiz:
1. Adi
2. Chris
3. Hiuyan
4. Yoyo
5. Anny
6. Little Friend
7. Baba

Monday, August 29, 2005

夢想起飛

衛斯理這個禮拜啟程到澳洲受訓,
為期一年的飛行員訓練.
替他高興同時也替他擔心.
老爸爸在阿弟的Blog
洋洋灑灑的寫了一篇語重心長的叮嚀.
蠻感動的, 頗有看頭.

Sunday, August 28, 2005

Eventful weekend

"村上說, 再不提筆, 那一段時光恐怕就此從我記憶中消失......" 在朋友的 blog 看到這句話......... 所以提筆,寫寫關於這個週末.

禮拜五的晚上,和大米去Yakitori Totto吃日本燒烤, 是一家值得推薦的地方,他們的烤雞翅是超美味的,如果用 Zagat 的標準來評分的話, Yakitori Totto: Food 22 / Deco 21 / Service 23 / Money $35. 吃飯之後,還發生一件好玩的事, 請參考大米的破..

禮拜六中午,又是飽餐一頓,萬嫂難的來紐約. 我們去文華的 Asiate 吃大早餐。食物,佈置,服務,景色,都沒話說。但貴了一點。只能說難得奢侈一次。大米不太喜歡, 大米覺得早餐太精緻,不像早餐. Asiate: Food 24 / Deco 27 / Service 24 / Money $60 (brunch).

禮拜天,去麗芬師姑家玩,又看電影,又游泳,又打球,又三溫暖,又八卦,白吃白喝的過了一天,不錯不錯..........

肉感照片provided by Chien Chien.

Wednesday, August 24, 2005

Tribeca Green

This is the site that I have been working on since January of 2004. It's in Battery Park City, and it's a green building. We are almost done right now, with the execption of one last interior floor. I can't wait to get it completed and start our long vacation.

More photos

福氣啦-----不必假笑

輯/殷登國

午休時間過後,總經理很興奮地回到辦公室,對職員們講了好幾則剛跟朋友在飯館吃飯時聽來的笑話;除了小莉,每個人都笑到不行。

「怎麼了?難道你聽不懂,還是一點幽默感也沒有?」總經理問她。

「我用不著笑,」小莉望著總經理說,「反正我只做到月底。」

龍應台

跟大家分享龍應台的文章,超欣賞他的.....
其中有篇文章 “城市文化---台北在發生中“,
講台北文化和公共空間,讓對台灣一度感到失望的我,
看到了------- 希望。

Good reads........

注:這幾天都有持續打坐,已經快成為一個習慣,感覺不錯。

Sunday, August 21, 2005

老三做臉

Our lao san was born with a silver spoon. We gave it a face lift right after its birth. This is a privilege that neither lao da nor lao er had. A lot were done over the past few days: we sanded the floor, grouted the bathroom, changed new base mouldings, fixed the broken cabinets, got new appliances, installed track lighting, and of course a fresh coat of (ORANGE) paint. Many thanks to Jimmy's mom who delivered 愛心便當 during construction, and to the two 溫州老鄉 who worked so hard in the past two days. Now, let's get it rented......

more pictures

Thursday, August 18, 2005

心情不好

這幾天為了老三,大米和小米有點勞碌.
早上趕到老三等工人,結果他們爽約.
急急忙忙的回公司,有一大堆要處理的東西等著.
晚上下班後,又衝到 home depot 買材料,
餓,餓,餓.....
後來又為了一件小事,和大米鬧彆扭.
人家 Peter 哥哥,今天被大瘋子襲擊,都能老神ㄗㄞㄗㄞ.
嗨........ Leigo 真是沒修行.

Monday, August 15, 2005

大雜燴

上上個週末用猛功,練了一套超長超感人的韓劇:大長今。通宵加 fast forward 的看,只能用一個字形容,爽!值得推薦,可媲美當年的日劇阿信。至於劇情請參考大米哥的破。已經很久沒通宵徹夜,除了當年在古柏唸物理,和在 GSD 做建築模型之外,這應該是破天慌的第三次。年紀大了,通宵還是少做為妙。

後來的幾天開始張羅老三裝潢和老爸房子的事,再加上公司特忙,沒辦法白天打混,部落一下就荒廢了。久違了!

比較值得提的一件事是,上個週末,大小米和幾個好朋友,浩浩蕩蕩的去法鼓山象岡道場打了禪三。時間比較短,沒太大期待。妄想蠻多,會打瞌睡,但也有短暫的清晰,不管狀況如何,這次比較能對好的不驕傲,對壞的不自責。沒什麼進步,但卻能放鬆很多。也發現修行ㄉ路上,有這麼多伴,是一個好大的福報,還好是人來瘋。一個人的話,大概也提不起勁報名,感恩大家!

這三天學到兩個特受用的方法,metta meditation 和 art of listening. 哈哈!今天上班都給他派上用場!痛快痛快!細節下回分曉........

Wednesday, August 03, 2005

老三

大小米的老三今天誕生了!謝謝一路上鼓勵和關心的朋友。
Painting party? Anyone?

Sunday, July 31, 2005

老女人小女人

小姑一家要搬回香港,
Leigo家ㄉ老女人小女人聚集一堂,
以集體頹廢做為這次告別的儀式
到中國街做臉,按摩,買東東,吃飯飯。
比較特別的是我們中午吃福州小館,
魚丸拌麵,一家子二十塊不到。

Friday, July 29, 2005

雜七雜八

這是一個沒主題的POST, 只想流水帳似的紀錄一些雜七雜八的事.....

前兩天, 工地的辦公室終於從鐵皮屋遷出, 搬進我們蓋好的樓. 受不了鐵皮屋已經很久了, 冬冷夏暖, 又潮又髒. 新的辦公室雖然不算豪華, 比起先前的處境, 好太多了.....

昨天買了兩樣貴重的東東. 幫康康買了一個叫藍天使的飛行手錶, 不用電池, 功能看起來很神的樣子, 這個週末準備玩玩看. 同一天, 在下班的路上,看到 Hugo Boss 換櫥窗,誤打誤撞得幫大米買了一套剛從櫥窗換下的西裝,打7折ㄡ!花了好多錢喔....不過....省錢就是賺錢啊!

除了敗家之外, 昨天晚上還跟慈X幫的眾姊妹們看了一場 PLAY, 實驗小劇場類型。劇場在 Tribeca Grand Hotel 的斜對面,小小的紅磚屋,小小的門,小小的場子,最多坐五十人左右。 晚上十點開始,共六十分鐘,分九個小品,細膩的描述大都會小人物掙扎的片段,沒劇情可言,以 immerse yourself in love 黑字白底ㄉ投影做結尾。劇場的網站有點陽春,但作品精彩,看得人投入,表演的人更投入。愛死紐約了! 還有,很喜歡沒事跟眾姊妹出去晃蕩江湖!

註:持續打坐的第四天

Thursday, July 28, 2005

公益廣告時間

在這邊跟大家推薦一個有氣質的專欄和兩本好書, 是我大學室友寫的, 喜歡的話, 寫書評鼓勵鼓勵喔!

註:持續打坐的第三天

Wednesday, July 27, 2005

體驗呼吸

今天早上有持續打坐,
主要還是體驗呼吸.
每呼吸五到十次會提起話頭,
發現提話頭時,
注意力會比較集中,
但身心會稍微緊張一些.
不知道這樣對不對啊?
該小參了!

Tuesday, July 26, 2005

打坐

今天早上有打坐,雖然妄念很多,但自我感覺不錯。發現時間短的時候,不太能用話頭, 會很自然的回到數息法。發願今天要好好的過,也希望打坐可持續。

P/S.... Jimmy's sabbatical was approved today. Lei's was approved a few weeks ago. Looks like our two month break is going to be a reality.

Monday, July 25, 2005

I am addicted to blogging

Recently I have become very addictive to blogging. Spend a lot of time
reading other blogs, leaving comments, replying to comments, uploading
picuture, learning HTML, and writing posts. The amount of attention
given to blog is getting out of hand, especially after we gave away our
TV this weekend. With no TV around, the original plan is to find more
time reading and meditating. Obviously, the original plan didn't
happen. Blogs is supposed to be a journal reporting happenings and
thoughts. With too much time spent in the virtual world, and not
living the present moment in real life, what else can one report?
Perhaps, it's time to cut back and start collecting "the copping
woods".

Sunday, July 24, 2005

小康斗 C3-17

米爸和米媽商量了很久很久
決定在米國生根落葉
到紐約的莊嚴寺預購靈骨塔
米媽給靈骨塔取了可愛的別名:小康斗
小米很為米爸和米媽高興
能欣然接受死亡,真是隨喜
尤其對於佛教徒
死亡不應該是件喪事
而是一個自然法則,是個過程
大小米考慮考慮
不如也一起買
擺著升值,又可底稅,何樂而不為
今天姊姊和三個小鬼
中國街才子和妹妹都有去
一路上吵吵鬧鬧的
大家很輕鬆的辦了這件有點嚴肅的事
還碰到李大哥,挖了很多寶





more photos....

Saturday, July 23, 2005

號外!號外!

大米哥的部落開張了!
歡迎光臨,多留言
替他打打氣加加油吧

又言:
今天禮拜六
很難得的一整天都沒事
和大米哥把廚房的鍋瓶碗筷搬出來
噴殺蟲劑清米蟲,阿彌陀佛!
晚上去 Menkuitei
大米吃飯 (how predictable)
小米吃拉麵
之後去中央公園散步
看到好多螢火蟲

Thursday, July 21, 2005

不喝了

該怎麼開始呢........ 先懺悔吧.....
其實我是不該喝酒的
大一那年受了五戒,酒是其中一戒
之後的幾年平安無事
直到看了一部叫 Sideway 的電影
電影把 Pinot Noir 講的像天泉
在大小米的十週年慶,小米決定試試天泉的滋味
結果呢.... 天泉也不過如此
然後呢.... 發現小米對天泉嚴重過敏
臉紅,眼紅,全身發紅,發癢
和大米在五星飯店
窗外,雪花紛飛,白茫茫的一片
窗內,小米癢到不行,這裡摳摳那裡摳摳
真是一副有節奏的畫面啊!

以後不喝了!

不過想和大家分享一個飯後酒,
上次和大表哥吃飯喝到的,甜甜,有氣泡!
Marenco-Pineto Brachetto d'Acqui 2004

Wednesday, July 20, 2005

Summer in New York

New York has a lot to offer in the summer. Endless concerts, plays, and fun things to do. The best part is that many of these events are FREE. Yeah, you hear me.... FREE. Here are some of the highlights:

Tuesday, July 19, 2005

About work.....












說說工作吧...... 最近對工作感到極不耐煩
吵著要離開好久了,也沒人阻止,就股不起勇氣單飛
其實現在ㄉ工作(有時候)也有好玩的一面
能在工地裡神氣活現,會是令人懷念的
不過繼續留下,未來的成長已經可以看見
是時候單飛了......
Where is Fido?

Monday, July 18, 2005

正式套牢









圓滿大合照









妹妹,不准看!哥哥帶你回家!

老天做美,周星星哥哥和彈鋼琴姊姊ㄉ婚禮圓滿!
作為他們的 "Chief Organizer",真是累扁了!
今天早上爬不起來,和老板請了個病假,在家恢復元氣!
大米哥倒是佷猛,早早起床,上班去了!


more photos.....
and more photos from Anny......
girls night out.....

Sunday, July 17, 2005

黃道吉日

黃道吉日
今天周星星哥哥和彈鋼琴姊姊要在哥大結婚
但好像紐約整天下雨耶
大家趕快詞咒
天放晴ㄚ





Saturday, July 16, 2005

寫寫中文吧!

寫寫中文吧!
這幾天打坐破功了,才一個禮拜就斷,早上老是起不來,真遭。
昨天跟阿弟MSN好久,拉拉咂咂說了一串,雖沒內容,其實心裡蠻高興。
阿弟八月會去袋鼠國學開飛機,祈禱一切順利。
今天和大米去慈濟中國街幫低收入老人煮飯,
到雙文學校附近看房子,
回家時在 Columbus Circle 看到張曼玉,極爽!
發現 Columbus Circle 常有名人出現,上次是碰到 Sex and City 的 Miranda.

Saturday, July 09, 2005

10 day zen retreat

It has been four days since we got back from the retreat. Four days have never felt this long before. Coming home to Manhattan from Pine Bush Retreat Center feels like a free fall. Really miss the simplicity. Mundane can feel so trivial sometimes. This is my first posting in blogger. Would like to keep up the effort.