Graphically, the English word ‘Big’ is a pictogram in Chinese as 大, pronounced as ‘dà’.
I’m showing you how this Chinese character 大 (Big; dà) has been transformed to its modern form: 大. (I do apologise for my drawing. I do make an effort though.)
Transformation of the character for BIG (大) : from oracle bone writing, bronze writing to its modern form.
I started collecting new British stamps 10 years ago. I arrived in the cold suburbs of England from London, heavily pregnant, without a friend. Dark hair, yellow skin and speaking English with a funny accent. Continue reading
Weekly Photo Challenge: Free Spirit
Free spirit
A surprised overseas trip to a Kelong (floating house) in Indonesia in August defined free spirit: late night fishing, sampan travelling, swimming and snorkelling in the glistening sea. Continue reading
Weekly Photo Challenge – Urban
You can’t get a more urban country than Singapore.
I was in Singapore the past few weeks. I liked looking out of the windows from the 5th floor for secrets. Beautifully aligned flats nestle comfortably. I saw an old Chinese man in a white vest picking his nose. A tiny Indonesian maid opposite took out heavy laundry on the bamboo poles at 7.30am. I saw people brushing teeth in their kitchen. Continue reading
At the Traidcraft Roadshow a few weeks ago, we tasted new chocolate.
These new Traidcraft chocolates are branded More Than Just Chocolate.
I don’t eat chocolate normally, so I wasn’t able to taste chocolate like a connoisseur. Tasting chocolate, however, was fun, as it somehow made me look important. I did make an effort to pretend I knew chocolate and I hovered around the table for quite a while. Continue reading
Weekly Photo Challenge – Purple
Two weeks ago, I attended a Traidcraft Roadshow in Andover with my friend Tricia. Tricia has been promoting Traidcraft for many years, especially in the Eastleigh and Chandler’s Ford area in the southeast of England, and she didn’t mind me being a tag along, on a glorious summer day.
We previewed new items for the new season to be marketed from August. We tasted new chocolate too — but chocolate-tasting will be in another post.
I love the beautiful handmade glitzy items, such as pens, notebooks and mirrors. These gifts are delicately made by real people with fine skills and a bit of patience.
Weekly Photo Challenge: Inside
Today we celebrated my mother in law‘s birthday in a serene English village called Pirbright. It was a glorious summer day. Summer has finally arrived in England.
I made mum this gift. What’s inside of it?
What’s INSIDE this gift?
An attractive side view
2 hidden tea bags: high quality Ahmad Tea for a lovely English summer day
It’s a beautiful hand-made tea bag holder. It holds 2 tea bags. I added dazzling rhinestone jewels and striped grosgrain ribbon on the cover of the tea bag holder.
I also made mum a hand-stitched notebook. Hugh bought a handsome bay tree from Brambridge Park garden centre to adorn mum’s garden and for cooking. At our barbecue lunch, we discussed about pruning the bay tree into a lollipop shape. Continue reading
Weekly Photo Challenge: Movement
Two weeks ago, in Winchester, I captured the movement of Winchester high street, from the top of the hill.
I was at the top of The Westgate Museum in Winchester with my son Ben. The Westgate is one of the two surviving defensible gateways of the original five that stood along Winchester’s city walls.
I could see the stunning view of the city. Winchester was still donning the Union Jack flags and bunting, and everyone was seen wearing a jacket on a British summer day. The high street market was bursting with colour, joy and personality.
Winchester: view from the top of the Westgate Museum
Weekly Photo Challenge: Fleeting Moment
I’ve been bogged down with work recently, so my Weekly Photo Challenge is late this week. Very late indeed. Just a few hours before the deadline ends.
Juggler with 3 fire batons in Oxford
It’s better late than never, however.
I was in Oxford on June 30. The high street was heaving with people. Various religious people popped out in the street to shout out about their gods. In the same street, a fire juggler and musicians were busking.
That was the only English summer day we have had this year with some sunshine.
Weekly Photo Challenge: Create
Last Wednesday, I made all these origami cranes on a coach trip to Wales. It was a school trip with 30 children, and I was unwinding with these cranes. (Origami paper from Muji.) I always keep a pack of origami papers in my bag.
Origami Cranes: symbol of peace
When I was putting the cranes on the grass in the front garden to photograph them this evening, my neighbour’s lovely girl, Ffion, came over and told me she loved them. I gave her a few after I’d taken the photos. Continue reading
