A. B.

New site launched!

noreply@blogger.com (Alan) — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 22:38:00 +0000

Hi guys,

I'll be using http://hkalan.com for publishing my work re-lated stories.

Oh, yea, I'm still alive!

30 - Finally I'm here

noreply@blogger.com (Alan) — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 16:17:00 +0000

It's been a very long time since I wrote here. I'm still alive - yes lots happened, ups and downs.... what didn't change is that I grow old, physically.

Perhaps hitting 30 is one of the biggest marker in life, like I have just passed 50m mark in a 100m race. Honestly, who care if you have passed the 50m mark in a 100m race?

What matter is that your loyal fans cheer and support you during your race. None of us know when the race will finish, some runs longer, some fall down before the finishing lines. Perhaps what matter is that we are on the runway - not many can be there.

Ok, too much of these non-senses - perhaps it's because I have just turned 30.

Taipei Slideshow

noreply@blogger.com (Alan) — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 01:10:00 +0000

My UK life... was...

noreply@blogger.com (Alan) — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 04:12:00 +0000

View Larger Map

A Theory..... inspired by Derran Brown

noreply@blogger.com (Alan) — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 05:24:00 +0000

Ok... Perhaps no so much credit to Derren Brown, but perhaps he does deserve it.

One thing I have been thinking recently. Web design is a really tricky business. There is one most difficult problem all designers/studio always face.

PROBLEM:
Client has fantastic ideas of what they want but they may not really know what they want and will never settle until the very deadline.

CAUSE OF PROBLEM:
Human nature. When you spend money on something, you always want it to be the best on earth. If you are buying something that does not exists yet, your expectation could beyond what could be offered. Very often.

SOLUTION:
You do magic tricks. Like Derren Brown. Show them it's their free choice but at the end, they will chose what you expected them to choose while they still think it's their free choice.

HOW?:
Check my next post!

Happy new year!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Alan) — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 16:06:00 +0000

2009... can't believe how time flies...

Wish all those read this message - a very happy new year and may the world be a better place for everyone of us. May God look after us, our body and our heart. May we will have a better life each day.

Got some nice photos from Korea

Tilt Shifts!

noreply@blogger.com (Alan) — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 03:23:00 +0000

It's been ages since my last post... I'm still alive~ SUPRPRISE!!!

just want to show you some photoshop work:

You can see them all in here, though it's not much - but nice :)

Photos, finally!

noreply@blogger.com (Alan) — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 18:02:00 +0000

Hey, yea! Finally I've put photos of my furnished home online!!!

I have a lovely aquarium too! Feel free to visit me! ^_^

Here's the photos http://www.flickr.com/photos/hkalan/sets/72157607888428171/

My new home design, finalised.

noreply@blogger.com (Alan) — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 21:13:00 +0000

Of course, I didn't draw the kitchen as it's pretty standard.

As you can see a bed is missing. I'm going to use my fav. sofa bed so that it turns to bed or sofa depends on my need.

Hope to get the renovation done soon. Lots to do and lots going on. HK is always exciting.

Let the crash begin

noreply@blogger.com (Alan) — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 06:03:00 +0000

It's obvious and it should happen 2 years ago. It happens at the end of 2007 and it makes it even worse.
From 1997 - 2007, average house price raised from £67 to £167 = 245%

Time to crash... God bless the UK.

From BBC Chinese:
經濟不景氣

今天的《泰晤士報》和《衛報》等都報道了英國經濟不景氣，房屋市場繼續疲軟，數千人失去飯碗的消息。
《衛報》的文章說在過去的六個月中，由於房屋市場的成交率下降了百分之45，導致建築行業的數千人失去了工作。

報道說這將進一步加深人們對英國經濟有可能面臨衰退的擔心。報道還說，分析人士認為這次的信貸緊縮所引起的房價下跌可能要比90年代初時期的還要糟。

《泰晤士報》的文章說，目前英國消費者的信心已經降到多年來的最低點。根據英國房屋協會所做的一項調查顯示，一半以上的家庭相信在未來的六個月，英國的經濟還會更加不景氣。

但《金融時報》的報道說，在房屋市場的一片低迷中，五月份的購房待款略有上升，但是續延房屋貸款，即轉按揭業務卻顯著下降。

My Apology, my love.

noreply@blogger.com (Alan) — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 15:12:00 +0000

I always feel I'm the luckiest person, when I know you besides me.

I'm in heaven when I see your smile.

I'm sorry to have you disappointed when you see my last post. I was trying to clarify my ideas. I do not mean I cannot take your opinion. I'm sorry for the sadness I brought to you.

I can't imagine if I don't have your support during my hard time. It's going to be tough this week!! One new project that needs to get done in a week and a very heretic renovation that I have to manage in a month! Please don't leave me alone. I always want to have your smile and support to company with!

I wish I can keep being the luckiest person. I will do my best to make you feel the same way.

Everyone is pursuing happiness.. ?

noreply@blogger.com (Alan) — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 16:04:00 +0000

This is the idea that I have in mind for quite a long time. I think it is a truth. Not sure if it is difficult to accept this opinion:

Everyone wants to be happy. In everything they do, the goal is to satisfy their desire, and this satisfaction leads to happiness.

This idea is simple:

if one wants money/sex/power, means one thinks he will be happy if he has money/sex/power.

If one wants to sacrifice himself to help others, means one thinks he will be happy if others are happy for his sacrifice.

Sometimes, I wonder what is it like when I'm 60

noreply@blogger.com (Alan) — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 17:44:00 +0000

I do wonder because my dad had a great 60th birthday.

My mum helped to organise this wonderful party for him. She asked my dad to organise a dinner for a friend of his. So, my dad booked tables and made up the orders - so that he cannot complain the food.

He didn't know we organise this to celebrate his birthday until his friends came and congrats him.

I gave a little speech (though maybe no one was listening), and hand over 2 bunches of flowers to his friends' wife, 1 bunch to my dear aunt, and then my bro gave 1 present to another aunt to thank for her work at the restaurant, and finally, I gave the birthday present to my dad - it's a little gold statue which looks quite good. I'm sure he had enough "face" to see all the family of his brothers ( 4 of them) and sisters (2 of them).

When we present the cake and ask him to blow the candle, he was very happy and look like a child. Jumping and cheering. I nearly cry with my happy tears to see this moment.

It was the first time I present my girlfriend to my relatives and my parents should be very happy as both of their children (me and my bro) have a stable girlfriend to accompany with during the party.

I couldn't be happier to know everything went so smooth and I'm surprise to see the bill of the party is so cheap (about 10 times less than I expected).

Thank God that he gave me such a great family to raise from and to live with. I really can't wait to see my 60th birthday.

Thank you!

noreply@blogger.com (Alan) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 18:36:00 +0000

We had a very good day today. Shirley has taken a day off for me so that we can hang out.

We had a wonderful clear sky today, we went to the peak to catch the sunset. Yeaah , taken some photos and I really miss the time already.

Here are the photos have been await for so long! Shirley and I, and a photo taken from the peak! It's Hong Kong! YEAH!

It's been long

noreply@blogger.com (Alan) — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 17:16:00 +0000

It's been very long since I (plan to) write anything on my blog.

I didn't have any space in my heart to think about writing anything.

It is because I'm in love.

Yes. First time I have ever mentioned I'm in love in my blog.

I'm sorry that I can't public her photos yet. Perhaps some time soon I could let you (all) know how beautiful she is and how wonderful such a girl could ever be created.

I don't know what to say to express my thankfulness to both God and my girlfriend's love. We have been dating for a month but I feel like we have been together for a very long time - a very close feeling.

I hope our relationship will be developed stronger by each day and I truly hope one day she will turn to Christ.

Thank you for all your prayers and support. Also all your care and share in our lives. Those whom read my blog (till this line), I really want to give you a big thank you.

Lost and Found!

noreply@blogger.com (Alan) — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 19:01:00 +0000

I thought I'll lose something very important to my life.

However, I didn't.

I found it and I will treasure it a lot more.

Love from someone is a precious thing. Especially it is for me, such a bad person.

Water, Stone, Wine, and Bread

noreply@blogger.com (Alan) — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 17:32:00 +0000

Why would Jesus turn water into wine and made it as the first miraculous sign while he refuse to turn stone into bread to satisfy his basic needs?

"Man does not live on bread alone".

Does man live on wine alone?

Jesus sets an example not to turn stone into bread because it would be using his power (authority) to satisfy his own need.

Jesus sets another example to turn water into wine to shows how much grace and joy he wants to give to people.

I had a deep reflection this Sunday, sit and listen to the sermon and keep on thinking what God has done for me. It's too difficult to understand why he would perform miracles on us to make us happy while he would not use this power to produce food for his basic need and desire.

Tonight is a really really dazing evening. I have made a big decision in a very short time. I bought a flat. After I wrote a cheque for deposit then I just thought - ah, I'm going to be in a huge debt!~

I should be thankful. I really wanted to have my own home, since about 2 years ago when I was in Cambridge. The house price in the UK have been blooming and I have been paying so much rent! However the P/E ratio of buying a house is too high in the UK.... also I cannot afford one at all.

Thank God.... My mum has sold an old flat and now she has extra cash to make up a deposit for my first property. I really don't know what lies ahead, I'm excited to see how things unfold. Thank God.

It is so blessed

noreply@blogger.com (Alan) — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 10:07:00 +0000

I could not imagine that my family is so united. Together to work on a project so seriously. None of us care who does more work, none of use care who does less work. We all care about each other, and the restaurant like a baby.

It is really really touching when I see my parents are working so hard to do many trivial work. My brother has been working very hard in kitchen and keep thinking about how to improve the food we sell. I think I'm the person is doing the least, but I'm the person looking over it from sky and feel this little shop is a real blessing and bringing my family together.

I really want to thanks to all of you care about this little shop and have came to the opening. I also want to thanks for those are planning to come in the future. I hope you all liked the effort we put and enjoyed the food.

One good news I want to share is that on the first lunch business, we have sold out all the rice, soft drinks and tea!!! The business is better than we expect - even it was a typhoon day.

Thank God and thanks everyone who's tagged in this post!

Do not underestimate the word of love

noreply@blogger.com (Alan) — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 09:55:00 +0000

I know I have to type a blog today, for today.

Today, big thing happened. I started the first step to have a good relationship with my father.

I think I have to tell a bit of the background. I always find it very difficult to communicate with my father. The way he thinks and talk are really difficult for me to get into his world. I do want to thank Gabe - who was in my fellowship in Shatin Church. He shared that he had a barrier to love his father. He finally found the barrier is himself, not his father. It really woke me up when I hear from his sharing.

Today, my dad gave me a call. I can tell he got very frustrated and very unhappy when I hear his voice. It is probably my mum was yet again didn't respect his ideas/opinions and yet again turned a trivial conversation into a meaningless argue. He called me and he's angry at me too. It's because he feels I'm not on his side and not being a good son. He thinks I'm biases to my mum and only listen to what I'm happy to listen to. He was angry because his son is not by his side and not care much about him.

Our conversation started from:

1. Dad said he is a person that does not care about auguring, right or wrong does not make a different in those trivial conversations. He's also very open to ideas and criticisms.

2. He repeats 1.

3. He starts telling me mum is arguing with him

4. He repeats 1 again.

5. I got really fed up, I then told him, if (1) is true, you should not pay so much attention to the argue and let go to what really bother you.

6. Dad thinks I'm not by his side and then start accusing me.

7. I got very angry, and tell him I care about him. I want to have a better relationship with him. I asked if he wants the same.

8. Dad was speechless.

9. We told each other that we love each other, and cried on the phone.

It is amazing. I cannot imagine how much different it could make when I tell I love my father, even on the phone.

I encourage you, who ever read this article to this far, tell your father you love him. This is probably the best thing your father would receive in his life. It also can boost relationship with him in a way exceed your imagination.

I know. It is difficult to say but it really worth the effort you make.

Thank God for listening to my prayer.

Blink!!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Alan) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 18:28:00 +0000

Another blink, 1/4 of 2008 has already gone! I also have been back to Hong Kong for 7 weeks!

It's really amazing t0 think how much things have happened in here. I've been: loss, depressed, being supported, hoped, found, encouraged, being look after, tried, failed, learnt, grown, enjoyed, fulfilled, loved... too much to document.

Almost everyday has something new and special happen in here. It made me feel life in the UK is really really slow and peaceful comparatively. On one hand I gain the time to be with my mum, o the other I really miss all my friends in Cambridge. It's really a great price I'm paying for.

All my dear friends in Cambridge, I really miss you all.

Learn from babies

noreply@blogger.com (Alan) — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 17:30:00 +0000

For some reasons... whenever I see a baby, I tend to learn things from them...

Here's one today.

I was shopping, and a mum was pushing her baby in a cart. Her baby was holding a packet of lovely colourful food. He was absolutely delighted!

It didn't last long. When his mum took the lovely packet away, he starts crying. Crying like it's the end of the world! He lifted up his arms and try to reach the packet, but of coz it's too high for him to reach. The packet is getting further and further apart, smaller and smaller, going to be disappeared in his eyes.

He scream the hardest he can. This is the best and only weapon against anyone as a baby. While I start being annoyed by this, I heard "Dooo" from the till. His mum says: "Here you are".

The packet was taken away because it has to be scanned for payment.

Of course the baby does not know. He only knew what he likes, what beauty in his eyes. If he can't get it, he cries.

---

This gets me in to a deep thinking about the relationship with God and me. My eyes are too "short-sighted". His knowledge and plans are way beyond I can comprehend. I've been really crying long enough, things are not getting the way I wanted. I keep on crying and complaining yet I didn't remember that God is the one that I can comfortable put my trust on. He will give the best to me at the right time.

In fact, I shall remember God himself has given the best to me. He has already paid the price for the best gift and yet sometimes I'm being distracted by other beautiful packets.

Please forgive me Father. I shall remember your love and great gifts you have already given to me. I did not put my full trust in you. I'm sorry.

Lost, Season 5

noreply@blogger.com (Alan) — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 14:25:00 +0000

Things are not happening in the way I expect, still, I think I'm not ready to face the facts. After the Sunday service last week with Vincent, I did feel better.

However, after a while, with some deep thoughts about what I'm going to do next, made me feel a bit upset. I really don't know what I'm going to do next. I don't see a direction yet.

Today, when I think back about my life so far... it's amazing. It seems nothing worked in the way I planned or hoped to be, yet, things turned out well. In some way God has lead me though different situations and I think he will do the same again this time.

Perhaps I should allow more time to let things to unfold. Allow me to understand the vision and direction what I should be heading to.

Thanks so much for people around me have been really encouraging and supportive. I especially want to thanks my mum who's been very positive and supportive by my side. I think my decision to stay longer in HK is right, I really should spend more time to company my parents than anything else. Nothing buys these moments back.

Thanks to you all who care about me, care about what I write in here. It's very warm to see any of you leave a comment.

A list of worries

noreply@blogger.com (Alan) — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 17:27:00 +0000

Honestly, I got back home for just a few days, I have been quite unhappy.

It's very odd. I should be very happy, but I was not. There were quite a lot of things that I worry about.

Perhaps that's my personality, I kept on thinking of all these worries and made it worse. I have convinced myself that all my worries are not worth it because for the past years, none of my worry could last long, and then other worries came in. That's life.

However, I got to a point that I can't bare all these worries and there were no one to share with. So, I wrote down a list of my worries, and I know, one day, all these will be crossed out and I will again witness how much God care about my life, my worries and my tears.

So, I wrote them down, there were 4 items last night. I have already crossed out 2. It is an amazing 50%!!!!

Cheer up Alan, it's not too long to know all the items will be crossed, and then other items will come in for me to witness the grace of God.

Thanks to YOU whom read this blog, because YOU cares about me and I have to document this.

Farewell me? NOOOOooo!

noreply@blogger.com (Alan) — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 01:41:00 +0000

Its a real surprise! I had my first farewell party in my life. I hope that is not official, at least I don't make it official. I refuse to admit that I'm leaving Cambridge.

However, its rather touching to hear from all of you - what you think about me. Even it was filtered - only good things and compliment will be spoken only. In the way, when I think back each of you, nothing "bad" I can remember. I can only remember how good you guys are.

Iris was really right, I am actually quite feminine. I consider myself as a thoughtful person. I may not as caring as others, but I'm rather sensitive and thoughtful, paying attention to details. However, maybe paying attention in details that is not very important and I missed the important bit. Therefore, quite a few people - including my mum feels I'm a careless person. Indeed, I am, because my thoughtfulness.

I didn't prepare nor imagine there would be a farewell party for me. But I know I will cry on that moment, especially if I have to talk about all my dear friends in Cambridge.

Again, I must say, I cannot imagine what I could be like if I was not a Christian. There is nothing more valuable on earth than to have friends like these. We call each other brothers and sisters because we have the same father. Without being a Christian, I would not have so many friends and they all being genuinely loving. God has changed my life dramatically. Without these changes, none of my friend would liked me in the same way as it is today.

Thank you everyone of you. You guys are real gem to me. May God always bless you and be with you.

I may go away for some time, but I will be back.

God, leading me?

noreply@blogger.com (Alan) — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 01:24:00 +0000

Some interesting thought (and memory) came in. Just want to share it in here.

In August 2007, I knew my contract with language centre is going to an end. I fully aware that I'll need to prepare for a new job. I wrote a post (ad) on "programmer meet designer . com" website, in search of jobs.

I wrote down what I can do and hoping someone will have client and let me do some programming jobs.

From the time I went back to HK in December, several friends have hinted that they will give me quite a lot of jobs. I have been looking for people to do some programming jobs because I know there will be too many jobs coming, and I cannot handle them.

About the ad I post on that website - There was no any response until about a week ago. I got an email from that website!

Interestingly, when I open the mail, I saw an ad posted says he can do the job which fits my requirements. He lives in the UK and looking for clients in both China and UK. All the technical skills he wrote makes him a perfect candidate. He is what I have been looking for!

I tried so hard to find his email address and contact on the ad, however I cannot find it. I really wonder how come I cannot find the contact of this person but I got this email. After like 30 mins, I found out that the ad is actually posted by myself - in August 2007. The mail I got was just a junk and it made me click to see my own profile (and the AD) which I have forgotten I posted.

Isn't it amazing? Myself in a couple of months ago is the person I want to work with now. I love myself.

Thank God.