Saturday, September 8, 2012

#003 - let the books flow

I love reading and I love buying books. But what you gonna do with the books that you won't read anymore? Also as many Hong Kong people do not live in big flats, we don't always have enough space to keep all of them.

I have started an initiative this year - "let the books flow", meaning that rather than simply throwing them into paper recycling bin or the waste bin, you can give them to someone else:

1. I post photos of books that I want to give away in facebook and see if any of my friends is interested in them. Set a deadline for response.

2. If no one shows his/her hand after the deadline, start considering an organisation which may want to take them.

3. Many youth centres have their own libraries so that's an option.

4. Another option would be university libraries. Email them and confirm whether they want the books. They don't usually take books that they already have, but there are many exceptions so please do ask. Below is the list of some of the libraries.

HKU: hkuacq@hku.hk
CUHK: libgift@lib.cuhk.edu.hk
CityU: lbacq@cityu.edu.hk
PolyU: ser.lib@polyu.edu.hk

5. Unfortunately public libraries is NOT an option. They said they only take books which are rare or written by donars themselves. Weird but that's that case.

Any other homes for books? Feel free to share!

Friday, September 7, 2012

Bottega Veneta


I was so worried 24 hours ago - for some stupid reasons, my newly bought Bottega Veneta purse was stained with ink of ink jet printer. I dared not to clean it myself.

I couldn't wait and go all the way to the shop in Tsim Sha Tsui yesterday afternoon to seek help. A saleslady called Cherry was so patient in helping me remove the stain with specialised leather cleaner. She not only removed the stain but also cleaned the WHOLE wallet!

I am deeply impressed by the service - I was not there to make a purchase and Cherry was very helpful! Who said luxury shops in TST only take good care of the shoppers from mainland China?

Thursday, September 6, 2012

The Lady Godiva Legend

Many of us know about the chocolate brand Godiva, but how many of you know about who Godiva is? Do you know why the logo of Godiva is a woman riding a horse?

I learnt about the story when I was studying in University of Warwick which is situated in Coventry, a city where the legend originated.

Excerpt from the website of Godiva on the legend,

The Lady Godiva Legend

Many hundreds of years ago, a woman of great generosity and beauty left an indelible impression upon the people she reigned over in Coventry. Known for her lustrous hair and bountiful nature, she dedicated her life to the impoverished and stricken.

Her husband, Lord Leofric, was a powerful ruler, unsympathetic to the citizens of his kingdom. When he imposed a heavy burden of taxation upon his subjects, Lady Godiva protested. Lord Leofric boomed forth a challenge: If Lady Godiva rode naked through the streets, and if the people of the city remained inside, the taxation would be lifted.

Lady Godiva agreed to this bargain. Although she was demure in spirit, she was always most generous in action. Then finally, it was the morning of the event. Dawn rose, and the clock struck seven, ringing through the cobbled streets. The people closed their shutters, as promised. Lady Godiva's velvet gown dropped to the ground, her luminous skin shimmering.

The ride began.

Throughout the streets echoed the foreign sound of hooves galloping, yet not a single glance flew her way.

Upon her finish, the thunderous cheers were heard throughout the town. Lady Godiva had braved modesty and convention to win the hearts of all who knew her. As promised, Leofric eased his taxation of the poor, and her place in history was immortalized.

The legend of Lady Godiva has not diminished, but instead has grown and deepened. Centuries later, Joseph Draps, a renowned Belgian chocolatier, created a line of chocolates with extraordinary richness and design, a collection of passion and purity. He sought a name that embodied the timeless qualities of passion, style, sensuality and modern boldness. His choice?

Godiva.

It's a touching story, wasn't it? Bear in mind that women at that time didn't have high social status and they were supposed to stay home, raise kids and keep quiet. It was a brave and unusual move for Lady Godiva to protest against her husband for the benefits of the others.

Monday, September 3, 2012

2012年的暑假

孩子們,今天就是新學年的開課日。暑假本來是讓老師和同學們休息和輕鬆一下的,但是今個暑假來得有點特別,不是嗎?您們錯過了多少奧運比賽節目?有碰過遊戲機嗎?這個暑假,您們把自己的娛樂放在一旁,不為自己,而是為了香港的未來。

路,不易走,但我們會一起走到終點。

今天三時,政府總部再見。


延伸閱讀:
譚蕙芸專訪馬詩慧:烈女媽媽 從天橋走入人間
9.1不是反國民教育的結束,而是另一場曠日持久抗戰的開始
學民的思潮
德育組合