Fiona, the mini Pinky

Free Burma

Freedom is not free... Add oil!

Photo: AFP

BLANK

I tell stories with images. I need space to breathe, moments to live, time to think. Found the botton quote on an empty billboard.






































"The Beauty of not being sold anything"

Chonsak Nick Parsatsak
www.chonsak.com
----------------------------------------------------

Sahara and I look thourgh the Catalogue from graduates of CSM- BA (Hons) Graphic Design 2007. Above is one of the best words that we have both agreed.

Let's recycle the Moon Cake Tin after the Moon Festival

Great idea with nice graphic design. Love it!

Old Trafford Stadium

Date: Aug 18, 2007 (Saturday)
Address: Sir Matt Busby Way, Old Trafford, Manchester, M16 0RA, England
Website: http://www.manutd.com
Fee: Daily guided stadium tours & the museum £7 (Student Price)

People don’t have to be a football fans in order to visit Manchester United Football Club, the best well-known football clubs in the World. David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Wayne Rooney and many talented football stars have been discovered from this magnificent football ground. Besides, die hard fans ranged from 3 to 80 years old, local to overseas, pupils to postgraduates, working class to famous and rich who could always fill up the whole stadium or enjoy the game at home or restaurant.

Although I do not know much about football, joining an hour and half guided stadium tour and the museum visit with the locals have motivated me to watch the game. Here are a few interesting findings upon my visit.

1) Fans do not only view football as a sport, but also a dream, enjoyment and collective memory. Whenever talking about the players, games, scores and golden goals, they could locate exactly where they watched the game and had personal viewpoint. The most important they seldom miss the game.
2) Parents are happy to bring their children to the stadium and motivate them to pursue dreams. They are open mind and supportive.
3) The friendly staffs are pleased to share about football and the club history with visitors.
4) The gifts shop is huge from football kits to fashion items, foods to home decorations and many more. I am shock with the astonishing range of merchandise and believe that people could live on the supplies in the store for age.

Manchester Art Gallery

Date: Aug 17, 2007 (Friday)
Address: Mosley Street, Manchester M2 3JL, England
Website: http://www.manchestergalleries.org/
Fee: Free

Manchester Art Gallery is a free-to-view municipally-owned public art gallery at Manchester City Centre in the North West of England. Their collection is made up of fine art and decorative art from ancient pottery to 21st century furniture.

As Manchester was at the heart of the industrial revolution transforming fashion, generating power, developing transport and instigating radical social and political reform, visiting this beautiful gallery could provide a genuine overview of the local lifestyle to foreigners who are not familiar with their background and history.

The Piccadilly Gardens (1954) by Laurence Stephen Lowry (1887- 1976) is one of the impressive art works. The color tone of oil on canvas is mainly blue and grey which could show the social atmosphere as the urban area were laid out after the Second World War following heavy bombing. The Mancunians walked their dogs, hung out near the water fountain and buses were popular transportation at that time.

Comparing to the Piccadilly Gardens nowadays upon my on-site observation, it has become more international with modern favor. There are more non-native English to use the gardens, local musicians love to play variety styles of music and policemen are on guard in case of the emergency or terrorist attack. Although the architecture remains the same with new recreational facilities, I could still imagine how the local English gentleman in black woven suit passing by the gardens with a cigar in his mouth and a fresh printed newspaper under his arm in the early morning, a middle age woman in her dark blue collar uniform carried the daily grocery after work and a young couple enjoyed the moonlight fifty years ago.

On the other hand, the Gallery is actively promoting art and attracting new audiences to appreciate arts. Their staffs bring in new collections; host regular art workshops, expert seminar and temporary exhibition. Beside, its award winning café has attracted non-art lovers to have meal in the museum. As a Hong Kong art lover, I am amazed with the way English appreciate arts and treat the collection in professional manner.

Reference:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manchester_Art_Gallery
http://www.manchestergalleries.org
http://www.visitmanchester.com/

Set back and relax

“Don't get so busy or live so fast that we can't listen to the music of the meadow or the symphony that glorifies the forest.”

- Dale Carnegie

Dear Candy:

Embrace things that drive you to achieve. Start recognizing the things that fail to sponsor your success, and start the empowering process of letting those things go. Consider the following techniques to minimize and eliminate unnecessary distress:

- Keep busy
- Don't fuss about trifles
- Use the law of averages to outlaw your worries
- Cooperate with the inevitable
- Decide just how much anxiety a thing may be worth and refuse to give it more
- Don't worry about the past

Source:
The Dale Carnegie Course®
©2007 Dale Carnegie & Associates, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Welcome to Year One Classmates

Dear Year One Classmates,

How are you? This is Candy, your year two classmate of ASIIA. It's my pleasure to meet you all. If you have any concern regarding our program, internship and more, please feel free to contact me. Hope to see you in the MN108- our headquater, library, party or canteen.

Cheers,

Candy

Thank you, friends!

I feel great today!

Not because of what I have or what I am... my Hong Kong friends are very nice to me.

They took time to visit the "fun" muesums, "creative" art galleries, "open space" parks... and some of them even sang K, hiked, went jogging and danced with me like nobody watching.

Thank you very much for the friendships!

隨想曲 - Song of Random Thoughts

隨想曲　　詞：鄭國江　唱：徐小鳳

前望我不愛獨懷舊　名利我可以輕放手
是我的雖失去他日總會有　不慣全力尋求

難辨你的愛真與否　緣盡我可以輕放手
若你的心想變怎樣都會變　想要留亦難留

渴望是心中富有　名和利不刻意追求
請收起溫馨的愛意　留在心中好像醇的酒

存著要經過春與秋　內心也經過喜與憂
讓我一生擁有輕鬆節奏
心裡無慾無求

After the study trip, I have appreciated my culture more than ever before. Above is a very meaningful chinese song from Paula Tsui. Enjoys!

Sick

Candy: Hello, Sammy! How are you?

Sammy: Fine. Thanks! And you?

Candy: I am sick and might catch some cold last night.

Sammy: Oh... I am sorry to hear that. Please take more rest.

Candy: I will. Bye!

Sammy: Bye!

Great scripts from Karwai Wong

王家衛（Karwai Wong）講話的方式，就是讓主人公平平淡淡的說出旁白，而你的心會剎那間失去所有的重負。

- 每個人都會堅持自己的信念，在別人看來是浪費時間。
- 一個人有煩惱是因為記性太好，如果什么都可以忘掉，以后的每一天都會是一個新的開始。
- 讓一個人最痛苦的方法是殺掉他最愛的女人。
- 如果你不想被拒絕，最好的方法是先拒絕別人。
- 一個人受了挫折或多或少都會找個借口來掩飾自己。
- 你越想知道自己是不是忘記反而記得越清楚，當你不能夠再擁有的時候，惟一可做的，就是讓自己不要忘記。
- 任何人都可以變得狠毒，只要你嘗試過什么叫忌妒。
- 知不知道飲酒和飲水有什么區別？酒越飲越暖，水越喝越寒。
- 有時候，耳朵比眼睛還重要，很多東西用耳朵聽比用眼睛看好，一個人可以假裝開心，但聲音就裝不了，細心一聽就知道了。
- 最好的拍檔是不該有感情的。
- 任何東西都會過期。
- 有的人是不適合太接近的。知道反不如不知道。
- 做拍檔，除了要了解她外，還要給機會讓她了解你。
- 每天你都會跟許多人擦肩而過，有些人可能會變成朋友，有些變成知已，所以我從不放過可以跟大家磨擦的機會。
- “你知不知道有一種鳥沒有腳的？他的一生只能在天上飛來飛去。一輩子只能落地一次，那就是他死的時候。”
- “每天你都會和許多人擦身而過，卻不一定發生什么事情。當時那個女孩子離我只有零點零一厘米，五分鐘之后，我將會愛上她。”
- “我以為有一種人是永遠不會嫉妒的，因為他太驕傲。”
- “醉生夢死不過是她跟我開的一個玩笑。有些事情你越想忘記，就會記得越牢。當有些事情你無法得到時，你惟一能做的，就是不要忘記。”
- “要想不被人拒絕，最好的辦法是先去拒絕別人。”
- “每次他都會回來跟我說，‘讓我們重新開始……’”
- “我以為我和他不一樣，原來寂寞的時候，每個人都一樣。”

《江南時報》 (2002年01月30日第八版)

To Carol and Alvin

Perhaps Love by John Denver & Lene Siel

Thank you very much for inviting me to our wedding next month!

A dream interview about my study trip

Date: Aug 17 – Sep 8, 2007 (Total 23 days)

Country: England, France and Monaco

Host: Hello, Candy! Welcome back to Hong Kong. I have heard that you had a wonderful study trip in Europe. Could you tell us what cities have you visited?

Candy: Sure. My study trip is amazing. I have traveled from Manchester, Leeds, Harrogate, Liverpool, Cambridge, Bath, Portsmouth, Eastbourne, Brighton, Bexhill, Southsea, London, Paris, Lyon, Vienne, Marseille, Cannes, Antibes, Monte Carlo to Nice… 20 cities in 23 days.

Host: Wow… that’s a lot of traveling. How did you cope with it?

Candy: Personally, I think traveling is fun. I woke around 7 o’clock in the morning, had my breakfast in hostel and took the train to the next destination everyday. Most of the cities I have visited were closed together in distance. Usually, I traveled less than two hours by train per day. I always spend my waiting time on reading travel guidebook, talking with passengers and taking nap. Therefore, I did not feel rush at all.

Host: You have mentioned about Hostel. What is it about?

Candy: Hostels1 provide accommodation where guests can rent a bed, sometimes a bunk bed in a dormitory and share a common bathroom, kitchen, and lounge. Rooms can be mixed or single-sex. Private rooms are increasingly available too. It is much cheaper than the hotels and people are very friendly there.

On the other hand, Pioneer Elastic Co. Ltd. granted the traveling scholarship to me before the trip. The money was sufficient for me to stay in a nice hotel, go shopping in department stores and ride on taxi for a week in Lyon. On the contrary, living in cheaper accommodation, going grocery shopping in the local supermarket, riding on the train and hanging out with the local could let me see the real Europe and experience their culture in a comparatively longer period.

Host: Great strategy. What was your goal of this trip?

Candy: The main goal of this trip was to observe the consumer behavior toward the intimate apparel products in Europe. Europe is a fascinating place and many fashion trends were started there. By pursuing this goal, I went lingerie shopping from the local boutiques to major department stores, attended the Harrogate Lingerie show and Lyon Fair… the most effective way was to talk with people about what they wore, their fitting issues and expectations to the future products. It’s very important to understand customer’s needs in order to design lingerie that could be suitable for them to purchase and wear.

Also, I wanted to share what I learned from ACE Style Institute of Intimate Apparel. It’s always interesting when I saw my new European friend’s feedback about my current studies and they felt quite shock at the beginning especially to guys.

Host: What type of people do you choose to talk? Do you just talk with people randomly?

Candy: As you know, starting a conversation with stranger is not easy. Especially, I was not the local and did not know if that person was nice with no harm. Therefore, I tried to talk with people that I was comfortable with and find topics which could relate to them.

I remember that there were three teenage girls with very cool looking waiting for friends in front of the Manchester Cathedral.

“How do teenagers shop for their first bra in Europe? When? With who?”

“What type of style do they like?
“How much could they afford?”

“What will they buy if money is not an issue?”

… a few questions were pop up in my head.

Therefore, I took a deep breath and introduced myself to them. They were shy at first, but slowly they opened up and were wiling to share their bra shopping experience. It was a sweet.

Host: How do they shop for underwear?

Candy: English teenagers go shopping with their mothers in specialty stores. The staffs always provide bra-fitting service to them before trying on the bras. However, teenagers do not like to hang out with parents in shopping centers nowadays. They usually ask their mothers to buy exact styles. Also, they prefer sports bra because they feel more comfortable with the soft fabric and the design without the wire. They do not really like the padded bra because they are worried to draw wrong attentions among their peers.

So, if I design bras for teenagers next time, their comments will be considered beside the technical and trend aspects.

Host: Their shopping style is quite different than the Hong Kong teens. Do you have any other interesting conversation?

Candy: Yes. This trip gave me a chance to visit my host family in Eastbourne. I stayed with them for a vacation night years ago. My host mom told me this time that she had a breast removal surgery fifteen years ago. I was surprised and did not notice that at all.

Besides, she complained that there were limited selections right after her surgery. Most of the mastectomy bras were made by white plain cotton with the patient look. They were very boring, not sexy and very hard to find. Comparing to this special market now, she said that there were more style, affordable and much more accessible to the public.

Host: You have attended two major lingerie trade shows during the trip. How were they?

Candy: Harrogate Lingerie & Swimwear Exhibition, Interfilliere and Lyon Mode City (a.k.a. Lyon Fair). They were great opportunities for me as a student to see the latest lingerie trend and meet the professionals.

Harrogate Lingerie & Swimwear Exhibition is one of the important trade events for intimate apparel & swimwear in UK. It is usually held during summer and before the Lyon fair. The target visitors are Lingerie buyers and distributors. The numbers of exhibition is comparatively smaller than Lyon Fair, but I have found that the exhibitors are approachable since they are seeking suitable distributors for their products. They are friendly to explain the product natures, marketing strategies and competitive edges.

Moreover, the fashion show was very lively and products were innovative. A few DeMonfort Graduates had presented their work in the fashion show along with other manufactures. The organizer allowed me to take photos during the fashion show after presenting the ASIIA student magazine.

Lyon Fair has been held for twenty years and become the global benchmark shows for people in the beachwear and lingerie industries. From trend forecast, material sourcing, machinery, manufacturing, product testing to distribution… it covers every aspect of the intimate apparel. People from all over to world come here to make new contact and discuss new business deal. On the other hand, there were seminars, workshops, fashion shows and conferences available to visitors to attend. Personally, I enjoyed the Lyon Fair very much.

Host: That sounds very interesting and I would like to attend both of them. What have you learnt after the study trip?

Candy: I have learnt more about myself. This study trip is not only about learning more about the intimate apparel industry and seeing new things and making new friends. It is a self-discovery. When I spent time alone, my memories of internship, classroom interaction, friend and family member’s faces, conversations and songs would pop up in my head… Then, I thought how could I do it in a better way. And sometimes, when people asked me about my past, studies, life and future plan… I thought through and answered. I realized I have grown this year.

Host: So, what is your future plan?

Candy: First, I have to focus on Foam of Sports Bra- my final year project. It’s a very meaningful topic and I hope to find out more characteristics of foam so that the performance of sports bra could be improved. Second, I am planning to find my dream job in another countries after graduation. I am still young and should take a challenge. Believe me, I am ready.

Host: Candy, I am so glad to spend this quality forty-five minute interview with you. Your adventure was remarkable and surely could benefit for the newcomers. Thank you very much!

Candy: You are welcome and it’s my pleasure to share. Goodbye.

Host: Goodbye and wish you every success in the intimate apparel industry.

Why should I believe you?

“If you have an important point to make, don't try to be subtle or clever. Use a pile driver. Hit the point once. Then comeback and hit it again. Then hit it again-a tremendous whack!”

- Winston Churchill

Dear Candy:

Using evidence is an essential part of an effective presentation. Questions often in the mind of audience members, even if seldom asked, are "why would I listen to you?" "Why should I believe you?" "Who besides you says this?" When we need to convince others of our view, one of our primary tools is the use of evidence.

Source:
High Impact Presentations
©2007 Dale Carnegie & Associates, Inc. All Rights Reserved

A message to Cow Cow, my best friend in Hong Kong

Dear Cow Cow,

How're you? I am glad to tell you "You are my best friend in Hong Kong." You always stand next to me and back me up.

As you know that I am quite lazy sometimes, you are like my sister to point out my fault directly. (Not many people correct me except my parents, boss and one person in another corner of the World nowadays.)

Add oil, let's work hard and have a fruitful semester together.

Thank you very much for the friendship and love!

Yours truly,

Candy

Real Love by The Beatles

Honestly, I still like this band very much!

Spinnaker Tower

Beside Space Needle in Seattle, there is Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth.

Photo: http://www.creamygoodness.co.uk

Karma

Many years ago, we met accidentally.

- I liked you alot...

A few months ago, we were talking in my dream.

- I never imagined to meet you in person.

A few weeks ago, we met again by chance because of a surprising reward.

- I thought I could get over you after all...

Now, I am sitting home alone and trying to quit thinking about you...

- Gosh, it's hard!

Umm... here are the plans...

Plan A - Work hard now, make plan and hope to see you next summer...
Plan B - Be in this "silly" condition endlessly and keep day dreaming

WAKE UP, CANDY!!!!!!!

Otherwise, you will not make it happen.

Pon De Replay by Rihanna

It goes 1 by 1 even 2 by 2
Everybody in the club gon be rockin when i'm through
Let the bass from the speakers run through ya sneakers
Move both ya feet and run to the beat...

My new favourite music artist... let's check her out!!!

One of my birthday wishes has come true

As I have shared my birthday wished to Jeremy earlier in office, providing a tutoring service to disadvantaged kids is one way to give back to the community.

My sister and I enrolled in the tutoring class at the local community centre every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday after school because my parents were not able to teach us how to finish the homework. Most of the tutors taught there were not for the money, but for making a difference and help kids to learn better.

Therefore, I will do my best to teach my 7 years old student and guide her to learn English probably.


Thank God for bringing this clever student to my door!

Luxury Lingerie

Myla has become one of my favorite lingerie brands after checking out the latest collection in Harrods couple weeks ago.

The lace bras are very delicate, soft and fashionable. Most of their design are classic and seductive. Women who wear Myla could lead her to be more sexy inside out.

Also, the sex toys look very classy since Myla has hired many brilliant product designers to develop the products.

Fresh Air

Factories are rushing for their Christmas order in China... I could surely tell from the Air Quality Objectives and the look of the Victoria Harbour.

HElP! Hong Kong people deserve to enjoy the fresh air so does everybody in the World. Let's switch it back as much as condition of the following link.

If you are interested in the air pollution issue, please feel free to check out the website as below.

Environmental Protection Department of Hong Kong
Air Pollution Index

Eastbourne 1998

Leader: Patrick Lam & Andrew Gadsden

Classmates: Angel Chan, Angel Lam, Candy Mok, Cecilia Wong, Connie Hon, Cindy Kong, Crystal Kong, Fanny Lai, Edith Ng, Elaine Chan, Emily Yiu, Joe Lee, Liza Lee, Neville Ho, Polly Tse, Ruby, Tracy Chan & Vendy Ho

Hope to meet you all again after nine years...

Praise vs. Yell

“Praise and attention may easily have a profound effect on an individual's entire life.”

- Dale Carnegie

Dear Candy:

Good professional behavior deserves to receive attention as much as bad behavior does. Both cases provide an opportunity for your company to foster progression. It is unfortunate that people often only take advantage of the latter scenario to better their company. Appealing to one's pride is actually much easier than trying to lead someone to change. People want to be recognized for the good work they've done. Positive feedback and appreciation will foster not only the personal bonds had between you and your coworkers, but between those people and the very work they are there to do. It is then made nearly inevitable that the worker's progressive measures will not only continue, but likely increase in their rate of implementation.

Remember to

- offer encouragement
- reassure people in their progress
- provide a feeling of victory
- be enthusiastic
- be grateful for all effort being put forth.

Source:
Dale Carnegie Course®
©2007 Dale Carnegie & Associates, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Thank you for blessing me on the road!

Photos of study trip 2007

1,640 photos have been taken throughout the trip... hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

20070817
Heathrow Airport, Manchester Art Gallery and the Down Town
Location: Manchester

20070818
The Imperial War Muesum, Manchester United Football Stadium, The Trafford Centre and party photos with Charlie Goodwin
Location: Manchester

20070819
Downtown Leeds & Harrogate Lingerie & Swimwear Exhibition
Location: Leeds & Harrogate

20070820
Hilton Chambers Hostel with friend, Piccadilly Garden, Liverpool, The Beatles Story, Magical Mystery Tour & one of the train stations in London
Location: Manchester, Liverpool & London

20070821
The University of Cambridge and Cambridge YHA
Location: Cambridge

20070822 Part 1 & 2
Paddington Train Station, Bath, Roman Spa & Fashion Muesum
Location: London & Bath

20070823
More Bath, Bath YMCA & Southsea
Location: Bath & Southsea

20070824
Beachy Head, Pier, Castle and my host family
Location: Eastbourne

20070825 Part 1 & 2
Brighton Muesum & Art Gallery, Brighton & Bexhill
Location: Brighton & Bexhill

20070826
Relax
Location: Southsea

20070827
Friend's home and London
Location: Southsea & London

20070828
Sightseeing & Central Saint Martins College Art & Design
Location: London

20070829 Part 1 & 2
Waterloo train station, Eurostar Terminal & Paris
Location: London & Paris

20070830
The Louvre & Moulin Rough
Location: Paris

20070831 Part 1 & 2
Château de Versailles, Paris Snap Shot & Lyon Hotel
Location: Versailles, Paris and Lyon

20070901 Part 1 & 2
Lyon Fair & Vienne
Location: Lyon & Vienne

20070902
Lyon Fair
Location: Lyon

20070903
Downtown Lyon
Location: Lyon

20070904 Part 1, 2 & 3
Cité radieuse de Marseille and major attractions
Location: Marseille

20070905
Nice
Location: Nice

20070906
Three cities in one day... can you believe that?
Location: Cannes, Antibes & Monte De Carlo

20070907
Flying home
Location: Nice

Be a Leader

“Life is truly a boomerang. What you give, you get back.”

- Dale Carnegie

Dear Candy:

Leadership is creating environments that influence others to achieve group goals. Here are some guidelines on how to create this type of atmosphere for your team:

- Develop an environment that encourages ideas
- Create opportunities for feedback to close the communication loop
- Be a good listener. Encourage others to talk about themselves
- Recognize human potential and reward the accomplishments of others

Source:
Leadership Training for Managers
©2007 Dale Carnegie & Associates, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Candy at Brighton

Saturday, 25 August, 2007, 9:51:14

Jet lag

Jet lag, also jetlag or jet-lag, is a physiological condition which is a consequence of alterations to the circadian rhythm. Such alterations result from shift work, daylight saving time, altered day length, or as the name implies, transmeridian travel as on a jet plane. They are known as desynchronosis, dysrhythmia, dyschrony, jet lag, or jet syndrome. The condition is generally believed to be the result of disruption of the "light/dark" cycle that entrains the body's circadian rhythm. It can be exacerbated by environmental factors.

HELP!! I can't sleep. What should I do beside laying on my bed with my eyes open?

Have something to say...

“Always have something to say. The man who has something to say and who is known never to speak unless he has, is sure to be listened to.”

- Dale Carnegie

Dear Candy:

The end result of giving a powerful presentation should be that your audience comes away with useful information. Here are some guidelines on communicating with greater impact:

- Have energetic body language and an upbeat tone of voice
- Maintain eye contact with your audience
- Avoid being tied to a script or lectern
- Get your audience involved by using examples and holding a Q&A session

Source:
High Impact Presentations
2-day seminar
©2007 Dale Carnegie & Associates, Inc. All Rights Reserved

See you again...

Lighthouse of Eastbourne and Beachy Head

Forgetting how many times I have dreamt about visiting my English host family, friends and special places... it takes me 9 years to come back. I wonder when I will meet all my new friends from the road again.

Thank you very much for those have been so helpful and sweet during my stay!

Extra thanks to the little bit rough one...

Summer Vacation in England, France and Monaco

Aug 17 Manchester Inner City
Aug 18 Manchester
Aug 19 Leeds & Lingerie Shows in Harrogate
Aug 20 Liverpool
Aug 21 Cambridge
Aug 22 Bath
Aug 23 Portsmouth
Aug 24 Eastbourne
Aug 25 Brighton & Bexhill
Aug 26 Fratton
Aug 27 London - Party with the Pakistan Family
Aug 28 London - Hang out with friends from Central Saint Martin
Aug 29 Euro Star from London to Paris
Aug 30 The Louvre
Aug 31 Photo snaps in Paris
Sept 1 Vienne
Sept 2 Lyon Fair & HKIAIA Dinner
Sept 3 Lyon
Sept 4 Marseilles
Sept 5 Nice
Sept 6 Cannes, Antibes & Monte De Carlo
Sept 7 Swim and sunbathing at one of the private beaches in Cannes
Sept 8 Home sweet home- Hong Kong