Monday, November 7

Five things about Paul

Hello. I don't blog so I'm not really sure what to write. But here goes.

1. SA
I've been in St Andrews for my whole schooling life (not including now of course). Yup that's right. The whole way from kindergarten thru to JC. Weird right. Normally people would want a change in environment and all. But I guess I'm not really a true Saint cuz I didn't play rugby. Haha.
Oh here's something interesting: my secondary school principal was my aunt.


2. Anyway, it was in JC that I started climbing. But my interest really took off after going to the US at the end of J1. Here's why:

My addition to one of the many 'postcard' views of Yosemite valley. El capitan & Half dome.

After reading about the historic ascends made by all the big names, it's really inspiring when you see the magnificent rock faces for yourself. Well actually, Yosemite itself is already inspiring even if you weren't into climbing. That was what actually made me go back there.

The Royal arches, north dome, the Washington Column.

I'm no Ansel Adams so please pardon the bad photos. I was using a point and shoot cam.

Sentinel Rock

When I was near Yosemite falls, I remembing seeing 2 guys walking with lots of quickdraws. It was weird because it was winter (0-2degC)! I didn't think anyone would climb in that temperature.

Yosemite is one place everyone should visit at least once! :)

After Yosemite, I visited an aunt in Arizona.

Pinnacle Peak Park

Sports and trad climbing here. Anyone interested? Got free accom. Haha



3. Food
I love gourmet food. To me, it's one of the finer pleasures in life. But it's too expensive to eat out, so I just look forward to the weekends when my cousins cook (sometimes my sis too). Like just last night I had oxtail stew *slurp* :) Occasionally, we have a rich dessert - like my cousin's wife made an almond dacquoise (a kind of french cake) for his birthday. But I don't really have any pictures so I shall not elaborate.


Instead, since we're going to HK I thought it would be appropriate to whet your appetite with some food I had there.

This is from Butao Ramen. The chef, Ikuta Satoshi, is from Fukuoka so he serves the Tonkotsu style. Only 200 bowls a day. I'm not so much of a connoisseur on Japanese food, but I know enough to know that it is really good stuff.

It has been featured in the media many times like nytimes, etc... Here's the cnn one: http://www.cnngo.com/hong-kong/eat/hong-kong-hottest-hole-wall-ramen-shop-974723

I think I queued for 45min. Haha


This is from Tim Ho Wan. It's a one Michelin starred restaurant. Apparently, it's the cheapest Michelin starred restaurant in the world. And I won't be surprise. The dim sum here is priced similarly to any mid range restaurant here. Like $1.50 - $2.50 a plate?
Anyway, look at that char siew! The texture is just right. Also, notice how their bao is more of a cake consistency.


4. Ok so enough about food. Now say hello to Kate :)

She's a Shetland sheepdog.

*I love my bone*


5. Music

"Music is one of the most beautiful treasures of our life. It is the language of our soul, our heart. It is our spiritual nourishment."
Mariss Jansons

(It's said more eloquently in German but posting it in German would defeat the purpose since not everyone undersetands.)

In my iPod you'll find many genres of music. I've got music ranging from OneRepublic & Toni Braxton to John Coltrane & Ella Fitzgerald. I've also have everything from Beethoven to Rodgers & Hammerstein.

I play the piano too albeit very poorly. So normally I just leave it to the people who are more proficient to provide the music.


Alright, I think I've written enough(too much? haha). Hope it was an interesting read for ya'll.

Now, over to Si Hui.