what i did last asian holiday

New Home in the making...

It has been a long long time searching for the right one, signing the contract (so much money for the lawyer just for nothing), meetings with contractor, etc. Finally we will be able to move in by end of October earliest to March 2011 latest, although the contractor told us that it will be around December 2010! yay, We can then throw a X-mas party with a 4m high christmas tree!

a guy who captures forgotten cultures.. Phil Borges

A Social Documentary Photographer. For over twenty five years Phil Borges has documented indigenous and tribal cultures around the world, especially those which are disappearing. Through his exhibits, books and multimedia projects, he strives to create a heightened understanding of issues faced by people in the developing world.

改变近代中国史的120人 / 120 person who changed modern Chinese History

公元1872年8月11日，一批年龄在9岁到15岁的中国少年，从上海登船出发，目的港是旧金山。从1872年到1875年，大清王朝先后派出4批共120名官费留学生，远涉重洋，踏上美国的土地。这一批身穿锦袍，拖着长辫的孩子，是中国历史上最早的留美学生。他們是哈佛大学、耶鲁大学、哥伦比亚大学、麻省理工学院的学生。然而，這一史无前例的留学，卻被当时清廷的保守势力破坏，半途夭折。回国後的他们，亲身经历近代中国的风云激荡：

     他们中，出现了伟大的铁道工程師詹天佑。

     他们中，有清华大学最早的校长。

     他们中，有李鸿章和袁世凱的幕僚。

     他们中，有中华民国的第一位总理。

     他们中，有宋美龄的姨父，他把宋氏姐姐妹带到美国留学。

     他们的命运，离奇且曲折；

     他们的故事，美丽而忧伤。他们有一個永远的名字 ── “留美幼童”。

其中都是因为容闳，也被誉为“中国留学生之父”。

Born in Guangdong, Yung Wing (pinyin: Rong Hong) was the first Chinese student to graduate from Yale College in 1854; while first Japanese student to graduate from Yale College was Yamakawa Kenjiro 山川健次郎 in 1875. 

I watched a documentary film by CCTV about Yung Wing and his 16 hardworking years of convincing two of the most powerful ministers at the court of Peking, and executed the Chinese Educational Commission of Chinese Youth Program from 1872 to 1881. The project's aim was to educate a number of Chinese boys in America for future service at the government expense. Many of these 120 students eventually become very influential people in the modern Chinese History.

sakura** sakura**

Bald ist es Frühling und ist wieder Zeit für Kirschenblüten * * *  
Looking forward to the best time of the year!

Easter bonfires in Northern Germany

Long weekend for many who celebrate Easter. We were in Wilhelmshaven visiting families, and were invited later in the afternoon by friends to go to Easter Fire in a nearby farm meadow. It rained, but it didn't stop people from gathering for this annual practice. Even under outdoor temperature 4 degree celsius! Watching firemen trying hard to set the fire on the pile of old christmas trees and waste woods, which were dampened.. obviously not that fun for adults but surely is a great playground for the kids. Running around and stamping onto puddle of muddy with rubber boots.. 
Anyway, I was surprised that this century old practice is still being allowed in this environmental-conscious-Germany. In Malaysia, it would have been classified as "illegal burning". ha. I know it's for religion's sake but the pre-Christian meaning of Easter fires is hardly experienced anymore. Nowadays they are meant to bring the community together, with beer and grilled sausages.
They believe the fires help chase the darkness and winter away. And Voilà~! it's 17 degree celsius today, just 3 days later!! why don't they reschedule to beginning of January, right after new years! ha!

Lam Duc Hien, yet another amazing photographer.. breathtaking and powerful!! His exhibition "The Mekong, as far as the eye can see" will be displayed on the railings of the Jardins du Luxembourg in Paris from September 19, 2009 to January 5, 2010, in collaboration with the French Senate and UNESCO.