Hong Kong Standard Chartered Marathon

The Hong Kong Standard Chartered Marathon 2009 will be held on 8th February, 2009. The online registration is available now.

I have taken part in the 10 km for once in my life (2007). I quite enjoyed the run although I had not prepared for it properly. Actually I was proud of myself because that was the longest run I had ever had and I could finish the route without stopping or walking. I could have done it when I was much younger if I had not made myself too many excuses.

My one and only one 10 km was quite an experience. I went there with my very good friend. It was the last time running through the western harbour tunnel for 10 km. People complained about it but I thought it was quite alright. No one can run through the tunnel except for special functions. Maybe it is interesting running through the tunnel for one time only. If I had to run every year, I would complain about it as well. Another special experience about it was waking up at four in the morning. Walked to the train station in the dark. Saw people waiting at the train station having the same purpose and going to the same destination. On the way to Tsim Sha Tsui, you could see all the people in sports wear, standing or sitting without making a noise in the compartment.

Last year I accompanied my nephew (in the photo) to the race. I could not run because I found something wrong with my heart. I dared not take risk because I didn't want to drop dead on the way :-) We went to Tin Hau last time because the route had been changed to the Eastern Corridor. I think it is a better route because it has a better view and there is not too much 'up and down'. And the air is fresh compare to the tunnel. I was proud of my nephew too because he was running on his own and that was the first time he ran. (And his time was better than mine, of course, he is much much younger)

I am going to take part in this year marathon. ( I do not have a heart problem, just my stomach, after consulting the doctor) And I am going to prepare for it in a more proper way. At least go running more regularly in the evening. I hope I will not be too tired after work during the week. ( or don't make it as an excuse :-)) I think after regular training, I can at least run 10 minutes faster than last time. That is my aim of the coming 10 km.

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Garfield

Cats are not my favourite animals. Actually I don't like cats because I have been attacked by my cat when I was a kid. To me, cats are sneaky because their claws will attack you without warning. Cats' feces smell disgustingly. Cats look arrogant. (It is just my personal feeling. Don't be offended, cats' owners :-)

But tonight I met a fat cat which I loved at first sight. It looked almost like Garfield. It was so so lovely. Garfield is one of my favourite cartoon figures. I like Garfield comic because I think the story is philosophical sometimes.

This fat cat was in a pet shop. Not in a cage but walked freely in the shop. I took photos of him/her. S/he turned to the left when I was on the right. S/he turned to the right when I moved to the left. So so arrogant...... BUT cute :-) By looking at the photos, do you like him/her?

I still don't like cats very much, sorry!

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China Free

'Sugar free, calorie free, caffeine free...China free' On 26th September, I have written about my favourite white rabbit creamy candy and Koala chocolate-filled biscuit which were tested positive for melamine .

One week later, melamine was found in products of Cadbury, Nestle, Mars, ... and plenty more. Countries such as Vietnam, the Philippine, Russia, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia... have found melamine in dairy products and biscuits. Every day there is the discovery of malemine in food. I worry, you worry, everybody worries if there is melamine in the food we are eating or have been eating. (I have a bottle of Nestle coffee mate in the cupboard that I don't know if I should throw it away or not)

Instead of spending time and money testing melamine, instead of worrying about if there is malemine in the food, people simply said why not just put 'China free' on the dairy product with the raw material not from China. The saying is sad, sarcastic but true :-(

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Halloween

'Do not join any Halloween activities.' This is what our religious teacher told the students in the morning assembly. Do not play with the devil, evil, whatsoever.

Is this what Halloween is about? I don't think she has read anything about the history of Halloween. It is not about human playing with the devil but human mimicking the devil so as to avoid the damage from the devil.

Nowadays, people in most parts of the world celebrate Halloween for fun. In Hong Kong, the young people have fun in Halloween. How many of them know about its history? They just enjoy the excitement of being frightened. Ocean Park and Disneyland use Halloween for commercial purposes. The exact day of the Halloween is on 31st October. But the two competitors have already started their business for Halloween night. So, why treat Halloween so seriously? Why give wrong information to the youngsters just to stop them from joining the activities? Hope the religious people have a sense of humour.
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1st October

Went to watch the fireworks tonight. Had fish & chips in Central first. Walked along the 'Ladder Street' feeling nostalgic :-) Then walked down the pier next to the Star Ferry. Didn't enjoy much of the fireworks because i) could not stay close to the pier, ii) too far from Wah Chai, and iii) too polluted tonight. Within the 23 minutes' display, could not hear too much 'WAAAAAAAH!' around. Nobody clapped in the end, just the sound of 'HUUUUUUUURRRR' and the polluted air left behind.

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Why can't teachers work happily?

I had a seminar yesterday morning. With a free afternoon, I went back to the school where I had been teaching for over ten years to visit my friends.

The first thing I saw was my old office. It has been changed into a language room. The room is newly and nicely decorated. It is completely different from the old one. There are no more desks but a few computers with high chairs for students to sit on to use the computers. A small stage for students to sit or stand on and a large 47" LCD TV for video meeting with the outsiders. The students are lucky to have a room like that for language purposes. BUT I MISSED MY OLD ROOM. I had lots of good memories there.

I met many of my old colleagues. They have been working very hard since the new principal came. When they saw me, they were very happy to talk to me. Actually not because of me personally, but because they seemed to find someone that understand their feelings. By talking to them, I could feel that there was a kind of grievance inside them. Everyone there was unhappy, not because they have to work hard. But because of ...... Why can't the teachers work happily? What is wrong with the school? I think the principal has the responsibility to deal with it seriously.
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Attitude of learning English

In the book 'A Language Lover's Guide to English' by Siu Sir, "attitude" is the first thing mentioned.

There are five main points to remember, i) to increase English Language ability, one has to read more English books and watch more English TV programmes instead of spending too much time on practising past exam paper.

ii) Avoid using difficult vocabulary; grammatical structures; and wrong use of memorized idioms. When learning a new word, one must learn to use the word in the right situation and the meaning behind it.

iii) To develop the feeling of English, how? To develop such feeling in two months intensely, one must read English books for one to two hours every day. Find one interesting book that suits your level. Besides reading, one must write in English every day. Write what is in your mind. If it is difficult to think of a theme, just write a diary. The main point is to express yourself.

iv) One difficult part of learning English is the great amount of vocabulary in English. How to use the right word for the right genre. Just memorize thousands of words is not that helpful. One must read more, read different genres; think more and ask more.

v) English is everywhere, you can get leaflets from fast food shops, banks or the government department, etc. Don't just read from text books or comprehensions in supplementary exercise books. Reading a large various of material helps you improve writing different genres.
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