Toying Around with my EOS Kiss


This was taken @ Beijing airport.

Friday evening, I went to a house shochu party @ Berrima Road. Interesting crowd as there were many SLR lovers. I also had the chance to view some of the artistic pictures taken. The owner has made a $1,000 buck just from his photography (& that is only his hobby). He also gave me some tips on photography - think I am going to get a new lens soon!

Am I the only one feeling stressed out there? Shares of Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley continued to plunge on Friday. Now is the time where everyone's just trying to keep their heads low and to keep their jobs.

At a difficult time like this - here's a little poem to calm my nerves down..haahha

Berton Braley on "Opportunity"

For the best verse hasn't been rhymed yet,
The best house hasn't been planned,
The highest peak hasn't been climbed yet,
The mightiest rivers aren't spanned,
Don't worry and fret, faint hearted,
The chances have just begun,
For the Best jobs haven't been started,
The Best work hasn't been done.

I'm Still Searching

I had drinks with a banker today. We spoke a bit about different career paths and he told me that at the end of the day, its about "knowing what you want". So I asked him back, Do you know what you want? He replied, No actually I don't. He is in his early 40's, successful, earning v well, has two kids and a dog, and well-liked by people around him due to his humour, intelligence and wits. I told him you are kidding me - With such a successful track record, you don't know what you want? pause...

He's not the first. Another friend of mine in his mid 30's is already a millionaire. He laments. He says that he knows he can make money now, but where should he stop? Where does his draw the line between earning more, working non-stop and balancing the quality of life? He was frustrated.

What about me? I am getting tired. I am not earning a million, but I am getting tired. Tired with the politics I am fighting, which many has asked me to give up. My family however thinks otherwise. They think its an opportunity to right a wrong. I am truely tired though.

It is now 2am. I am still waiting for my hubby to return. Out at work at the moment. Do I really know what I want after all this education, and a fortunate life which many say I shouldnt lament about?

I doubt it.... ;(

Still in the Village!

Below are different compounds of the house. Looks interesting? It is really different to see and experience with your own eyes! Especially the toilet!

Of course, I couldn't or wouldn't even stop to take a picture of it. You basically go in, pinch your nose & run out quickly!

Before this trip, I was thinking between Paris, New Zealand or Maldives. The decision? I prefer a rough travel while still young, while Mr Gui prefers a relaxing by-the-pool trip. In the end, we decided on ChongQing which would be rough, and then round it up in Beijing which should be more relaxing. So scroll down for the rough part of the trip first.


So, today Barack Obama swept to victory as the nation's first black president! I remember we were stuck on CNN in Beijing, watching the Final debate in the room instead of heading straight to the Forbidden City as planned.

OK so this is the kitchen - but in a shophouse apartment. Not all homes look like this, this place just got renovated - I think my friend probably had to sponsor his in-laws in ChongQing.

And all these ladies cook a mean SzeChuan meal!

KJ's Grandmother Room - this is really In the Village


Classic! I just went whoaaaaa when I saw the room.

A Old & Healthy Couple

Out of the village photo collection, this was my favourite. Almost like a picture you will only see on TV probably back in the 70's.

Dining Room - with Cool Decoration


Just concrete - & some decorative infomative wallpaper stuck on the wall - not even aligned properly, but turns out to be a rather artistic corner.

Coal Powered Kitchen

Again another room where I couldnt believe my eyes. Check out the wok too.

A rare experience!

how about a simple life?

No lack of mahjong pals in the village.

Lets enjoy some nuts.

Lets get together and crack some nuts - again...

Fresh nuts grown from your own farm.

sometimes you have to think basic and simple. Life in the rural is so. Nut-cracking in ChongQing village seems like a national pastime to me. Delicious... as I cracked open each nut, although I was enjoying the moment - the cool air, staring into greens, I wonder how time can tick so slowly. I could almost notice the minutes that went by. At a workplace, you hardly have time to notice or appreciate how the hour flew by.

You know what? People in the rural look happy. They truely do. Never mind their clothings were not fanciful; nor the fact they look kinda dirty. They look worry-free, they dont care whether its going to be Obama or McCain, they have sufficient to eat just based on the vegetation and farm animals they have reared. My friend M gave S$50 to his father-in-law living in the village. His wife asked why so little. I thought M made a good point - "There's no need to be more since he will only spend it on beer and cigarettes." I mean - there isn't any other real wants that they needed.

Of course, life and pressure in the city is different. Anyway I have just learned about three other Wealth Buddhas.

Lakshmi - The Hindu Goddess of Prosperity.

Ganapati - widely revered as the Remover of Obstacles and more generally as Lord of Beginnings and Lord of Obstacles, patron of arts and sciences, and of intellect and wisdom.

Saraswati - Hindu Goddess of knowledge, music and all the creative arts. She is the mother of Manjurshri (Wisdom). Shifu says wisdom is very important. With wisdom, it brings about understanding.

Buddhism is based on the impermanence doctrine. Similarly, the economic prosperity is not permanent. Especially not permanent because F.I. comes up with innovative financial products that taps on people wanting more than they can afford to. I believe there are more damages to be witnessed...