Tuesday, April 10, 2007
New York MOMA
First, it was very crowded. Perhaps I picked the wrong Friday of the year to visit there. It is the Good Friday holiday where people from every corner of the world seem to gather in the gallery. Having just been to the Times Square, I believe it makes a perfect connection in terms of packing with people, although gallery and high street shopping does not always go hand in hand.
Second, American viewers seem to be rushing all the time. Not many of them stay in front of an exhibit for more than 3 seconds, if not for taking a picture. They are as efficient as an army, get in, get an impression, get out - Quick and speedily.
Third, people in the gallery like to take photos. Not only have they taken photos of the exhibits but also themselves in the picture. To think of it, it is being funny when they see their heads sticking out in the middle of a painting. What will go in their minds? Beauty or the beast interfering the beauty of an art piece.
Fourth, I was used to the idea of share viewpoints with other fellow viewers for the purpose of mutual learning. Eavedropping the conversations in front of paintings, I learnt that the topics are more often about who is going to Susan's party this weekend or alike, than about the art pieces. I could only puzzled how I could ever join in any of these conversations.
Fifth, pop arts are evidently more popular in the gallery. Don't get me wrong. I don't have prejudice against pop arts. It is just my own observation. Andy Warhol's Marilyn Monroe on a golden panel is the most popular picture among audiences. The crowd is similar to the Mona Lisa in the Luv Museum.
Sixth, MOMA is the noisiest gallery and holds the widest range of conversations I have ever visited. People talked on the phone and discussed their personal lives publicly as if everyone else are interested. Well, I have enough issues myself so I would lend my hand to open my ears to their conversations when I have finished worrying mine. Happy to help only when I am ready.
MOMA, a fantastic experience and I am planning to go again this Friday.
Thursday, May 11, 2006
Dear Ashley
Dear Ashley,
Daddy is in
I have also been busy looking for a house and more importantly school for you. For days I have to view properties, I would leave work earlier. However, it will be quite late when I get back to the hotel room.
I have been in central
Ashley, daddy is not sad or down or depress. In fact, I am living a happy life in
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Home searching
Home searching has been quite hectic since moving to the
It became better afterward when we moved to
We moved within
Moving from Wimbledon to
Now, we are moving back to
Having to work in the morning, and then to view properties in the evening, and to achieve these without having a car, is in fact extremely energy draining. To add to the complexity, we have to find a school for Ashley. So we have to find a location with good schools around. In
Finally, I have seen a few places today, relatively affordable, though at the high side. Nevertheless, there are a few options. Nothing is finalized yet. It will be soon, however. The next thing is to negotiate the rent. Hopefully the home searching will come to a conclusion in the coming few days. The next thing to struggle is finding a school for Ashley. Oh dear …
Saturday, May 06, 2006
Finally it is a Friday again. This is a short week, but still it only seems yesterday that I flew here from
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Is Daddy coming home?
For adults, we have easily taken things for granted. Then we forget to cherish what we have already had. It is something to learn from the younger ones. Ashley's simple wish is to ask parents to be around her and she treasures those moments. To think deeper about it, who said that daddy must be coming back home? There are so many things that may go wrong in the modern world, right?
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Long weekend at Cairngorm
We originally planned to take the Funicular up the mountain. However, by the time we settled in the Bed & Breakfast and arrived the funicular station, we have already been too late for the last ride. It has been a long day driving and it would have been disappointing if we had to go back to the hotel immediately. So we decided to walk a little bit. Looking out, Loch Morlick is far down the mountain. It is elegantly sitting between the breath-taking rolling mountains. We have been there once with Kar-Soen and Hedy. There is a stone path in water and one can literally walk on water away from the beach. I took Ashley there last time but she said she has forgotten about it.
For the spectacular sceneries in Scotland, the best is yet to come. So we walked alongside the mountain. Just turn around from a corner, we have the snow ridge right in front of us. It is majestic, grand, huge ... but surprising accessible. It is intimidating but yet welcoming. We feel we can get up there, even with a little girl. We didn't because the sun was starting to set. We had to return home. Bonnie, however, has gratefully decided that we should come back again the next day. Life is full of surprises and this is one of those :)
We went back the next day. Bonnie was leading. Yes, I can tell she is thoroughly enjoying the mountain and the weather. And it is quite a mild path for her. We did not go up to the submit for not having the right hiking gear to walk on snow. However, Ashley has remarkably walked for over 4 hours. She is a strong little girl. For the whole trip, she did not ask me to carry her at all. Wonderful girl she is! Sometimes it leaves me wondering why other parents would rather sit their children in a stroller, which is troublesome for parents and not healthy for children, than ask them to walk more often by themselves. The only economic reason for a stroller is probably for shopping. In the countryside, you do not need a stroller. It is probably why we do not use one anymore.
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Learn to get on with life
It is heart-broken having to be away from home and leave an adorable 4 years old girl for a week. It becomes worse, and probably the worst of all, when she has tears all over her face. Paying £40 to change to the next flight so that I can stay a few more minutes seems to be logical and sensible. It could also be a very sound financial investment as well. In the end, I did not. I left a crying child and a half asleep wife in bed, while I dashed off to the airport.
It is difficult for a 4 years-old little girl to learn to get on with her own life and understand that everyone has their work to do. We are still learning that, aren't we? Parents mean a lot to her in her life. It is a lot for her to take, sometimes perhaps too much. Instead of asking me when I will be home, she asked me whether I will be back at all. Of course I will, Ashley. I’m only off to work during the week and it is only for a short period of time. I promise!