New Toy for Baking

あなた這兩個禮拜看我很努力地嘗試跟小烤箱做好朋友，但結果都不如預期，可能還要承擔協助處理掉可怕作品的可能性，所以上週六到北京朝陽門外大街的百腦匯跟蘇寧電器買多功能印表機的時候，就說我們應該買個比較好的烤箱。我還有點遲疑是否真的要買，不過謝謝他的寵愛，就讓我又多了個玩具來嘗試作不同的麵包。

我上個禮拜過去看印表機的時候，就到蘇寧電器去看看，主要是想看看中國這可以跟國美相抗衡的電器通路，那天我只到他們在朝陽門外大街的那家店的一樓，因為電腦相關的產品(So-called Black Goods)是在一樓，我到沒上去二樓畢竟我沒想要看家電產品。所以當あなた問我那家店時，我的反應是店非常小，因為印表機的產品選擇不到15樣，價格又比對面的百腦匯商家高出許多，但周六我們兩就走上二樓看看時，我才知道他二樓的賣場很大，生意也比我想像的好。逛了逛我們就相中ACA電器這台18L的烤箱，畢竟兩個人而已，18L應該是足夠了。

所以今天就開始了我玩新玩具的一天，過兩天就要回台灣一趟，所以一直想把冰箱裡的東西清一清。我一直對紅豆有著莫名的愛好，從紅豆湯到義美小羊羹，吃到紅豆就讓我有很幸福的感覺。雖然あなた常拿這個取笑我，不過他還真的會到處幫我注意在北京有沒有好吃的紅豆湯，之前在"麵愛麵"試過他們的日式紅豆湯，口味比較相近但對我來說還是太甜，她們剛好也有賣紅豆餡，所以就買了包想回家自己煮。所以這次就來嘗試我最愛的紅豆麵包，參考了Yummy's 3 Step Cooking，食譜上是用平底鍋烘烤，但既然我有烤箱，當然要讓我新玩具好好發揮一下，成果出來外型還頗讓人滿意，至少不再有焦黑的表面，但總覺得麵包太扎實不夠有彈性，剛烤好吃還不錯，但放久了之後就變硬了。

所以我愛實驗又不服輸的個性就出來了，我開始在網路上尋找不同的做法，我猜想應該是我的發酵做的不夠。Yummy's 食譜基本上是比較簡單，大多沒有太多揉麵的部分。第二次想做點鹹的，而冰箱裡還剩火腿片及起司，就參考了新婚小女人的帕馬森燻雞麵包，這次我就真的花了點時間揉麵團，一開始是把所有粉料及液體揉均勻再加上奶油，這時才想起之前麵包課老師講的"三光-盆光，手光，麵光"，然後我再加長第一次發酵時間到50分鐘，出來的麵團就真的很不一樣，表面很光滑還亮亮的，包好現在整形好之後的第二次發酵我也拉長到30分鐘，其實這個時間都不是絕對的，還是要看天氣及麵團的大小，像我這種沒磅秤就隨性的人，只好慢慢從經驗中學習，這次出來的成果就很不錯。第二次發酵完的麵團就膨脹不少也比較有彈性，當然烤出來的結果也很不一樣，真的有"ㄉㄨㄞ ㄉㄨㄞ"的感覺。明天早上就可以讓あなた享受一下他付錢的成果，希望有所好評嚕!

大董烤鴨

說到北京的美食，北京烤鴨應該是大家第一個想到的，再加上之前全聚德到台灣弄得轟轟烈烈的，大家應該更好奇。我前前後後來了北京好幾次都沒機會去試試這有名的佳餚，老實說王府井旁邊就有家全聚德，不過樓下排隊的觀光客人潮再加上之前在前門感受過他們的服務，讓我沒有很想把我北京烤鴨的第一次獻給他們。

週末是あなた真的可以陪我的時間，接近中午時他就問我今天中午想吃什麼，我第一個想到就是北京烤鴨，而之前他提到在君悅飯店前面遇到以前的同事要去吃金寶匯"大董"，讓我也想去試試。第一是"金寶匯"，這是北京新開的一個高檔商場，進去看了一下店家還真是不太一樣，周六剛好是裡面一家"定製服"店家開張，從一樓大門口就搭上晚上launching及走秀的舞台。再來就是"大董"，之前也在雜誌上看到介紹他們有名的海參及烤鴨料理。一進店面就是很時尚的感覺，あなた嚇了一跳，因為這跟他之前在辦公室旁邊吃過的團結湖店很不一樣，老店就是北京"老店"那種一堆圓桌一字排開的擺設，但這邊就很不同了，再跟服務生確定所有分店的價格都一樣只是裝潢不同，那就更要來這家嚐嚐，あなた也嚷嚷著說以後外國朋友來的話可以帶他們來這邊品嘗。

兩個人而已，我們就點了半隻烤鴨, 一份青菜及魚湯，あなた知道我對魚的新鮮度很挑剔，所以來到好點的餐廳就會點道"魚"的料理，畢竟大招牌的食材品質應該會比較好，但重頭戲還是在烤鴨。座位旁邊就是他們的烤爐，可以看到師傅們一一把鴨子放入爐中燒烤，然後"片鴨"又是北京烤鴨一個很重要的技巧，師傅會直接在我們座位旁邊處理，可以看到他精細的刀工，先把北京烤鴨有名的"皮"先片下來，再來就是肉的部分。而一開始就讓我很好奇的是這有著眾多配菜及沾醬的盤子，當肉處理好之後。服務員就會一一講解北京烤鴨幾個不同的吃法，第一個是"烤鴨皮沾白糖"，口感很特殊，脆脆的鴨皮加上白糖直接的甜味, 一放進口中就一起溶化了，雖然只是皮但卻不會有油膩的感覺。再來就是較常見的麵皮，放上沾了醬的鴨肉及蒜白絲，一點也沒有蒜的嗆味，而是軟嫩的鴨肉加可口的醬料及很有彈性的麵皮，雖說這種吃法較常見，但好的材料還真的不太一樣。最後一種聽說是大董特殊的烤餅吃法，在切開的烤餅中加入黃瓜絲，蘿蔔絲，蒜泥，及沾了醬的鴨肉，那烤餅脆脆的質地加上這些材料吃起來味道還真不錯。最後才發覺在照片右下角的兩樣小菜沒吃到，一問支下才知道那是醃的泡菜，是用來在品嘗了鴨肉之後清口中的味道來品嘗下一道菜的。

整體來說，這是我到北京之後評價蠻高的一家店，但價格上也蠻高。半隻烤鴨要價RMB198，兩個人吃下來也花了RMB400多，幸好一開始就決定あなた來點菜，要是我點的話我應該會遲疑頗久。但這還是我很推薦的一家餐廳，有機會爸媽來北京的話我也一定會帶他們去試試的呢!

大董金寶匯店

北京東城區金寶街88號金寶匯購物中心五樓

(5th Floor, Jinbaohui Shopping Center, No. 88 Jinbao Street Dongcheng Dis. Beijing)

Tel: 010-85221111

北京故宮

紫禁城-北京故宮-應該也是北京一個必去的景點，去年待在北京的時候，其中一個週末從天安門西一直往東走到王府井，途中有進去紫禁城，但只走到午門，當時故宮因為奧運還在整修，天氣也頗炎熱，我就想等天氣涼爽一點再進去好好走走， 誰知道我去年九月底之後就沒再過去北京。

這幾個禮拜週末也因大太陽沒打算長時間在戶外曝曬，所以一直沒去紫禁城，上週末北京天氣開始變涼爽， 因為溫度慢慢降低，有太陽照到的時候反而變的溫暖，あなた 決定帶我去紫禁城走走。

北京從元朝以來就是首都，而紫禁城也是皇城所在地，算是中國歷史上非常重要的建築群，在北京我真的感受到”數大就是美”，所以當走近數丈高牆時更感受到他的氣派雄偉。整個紫禁城主要分外庭與內庭，外庭就是重要儀式舉辦的三大殿，一走入端門眼前就是太和殿及殿前的大廣場，這景色應該是大部分清朝古裝劇中大家最熟悉的一景，掿大的宮殿在一片淨白的廣場襯托下更顯高大雄偉，這外庭三大殿是最讓我感受到皇城巨大的氛圍，再進去便是內庭主要是皇室家族真正生活起居的地方，當然規模及格局變相對小很多。

老實說，走到內庭，後花園到從神武門走出紫禁城時，我還真有點感嘆，大與小真的是相對的。這真的是座大城但若要我終其一生只能在這城牆裡生活，我想我不會願意的，雖然看起來好像真的是氣派唐皇，但不像是個家，或許是因為整座紫禁城看起來只剩下一個空殼，沒有可以讓我感受到生活的蛛絲馬跡，設想當年為了所謂榮華富貴及家庭責任而進入皇家的妃子們，真的像是所謂籠子裡的金絲雀。

最近我越發覺的”簡單”的生活是最令人滿足的，當我們有太多想要追求的東西或目標時，那令人眼花撩亂的種種可能讓我們更容易迷失及忽略的身邊最簡單但最為重要的寶藏。只能說我是非常幸運的，從小到大沒有太艱辛的路，一路平平順順地享受生活，對於我的幸運，我只能由衷地感激，也會更加地珍惜及儘可能地回報。Thank you!!

Miss my 容容

從12號離開台北到北京，也快三個禮拜了，有天あなた突然對我說他覺得我有點Home Sick，說不想家是假的，畢竟我也很久沒離開這麼長的時間，再加上之前家裡的狀況，感覺上情緒更容易起伏。那天在整理照片時看到之前幫容容照的照片，讓我更想家也更想他。

人跟人的緣分及相處真的很不一樣，現在一歳七個月的容容已經很懂事也聽的懂我們的話，畢竟我是唯一一個長時間跟他相處的阿姨，"阿姨"應該已經變成我的專有代號，其他姊妹們嘗試著要要一聲"姨"都不得其門而入。那天跟媽通電話時，他才提到容容在找我，一聽心就有點酸了，很難想像如果是自己十月懷胎的小孩，我能這麼久不見到他嗎? 我想答案是不可能的，那也是我為何堅決決定改變之前生活的原因，世事無常，我們得好好把握身邊的每一個人，每一個可以相處的時間及機會。

是的!! 我想家, 我想爸媽, 我想容容!! 陪あなた過完月底closing，我就要先回家一趟，一定可以讓我可以跟所有我心愛的人在一起!!

北京798藝術區

去年常來北京出差的時候就聽過柒玖捌藝術區的大名，這地方原本是之前德國援助中國建設的"北京華北無線電聯合器材廠"，之後因為當地的開發，將其有特色的"包浩斯建築"及閒置廠房改造成一個藝術特區，讓藝術家們來設置畫廊，工作室，文化公司或時尚店舖。

我一直想去看看，但都因為距離有點遠及時間不夠沒能拜訪，剛好上個禮拜五，あなだ晚上有應酬不會回家吃飯而且北京又是藍藍的天，就想趁那天好好出去走走。最近開始喜歡搭公車遊北京，雖然住的地方旁邊就有地鐵站，但總覺得在地面上可以看到更多有關這個城市的不同面貌，而且一趟公車才RMB0.4又可以不用在複雜的地道裡走動 ，讓我可以更喜歡搭公車。所以就從東方廣場到國貿轉車到大山子，這一趟讓我對北京東北地區有更好的方向感。

老實說，一到站下公車時，我還真的不知道園區在哪邊，後來問了一下才看到哪個小小的入口，開始走進去的時候還非常懷疑，因為旁邊都是公寓及工廠，走了一段路之後才慢慢開始看到畫廊及展覽的海報。整個地方跟我當初想的頗不一樣，原本以為是類似美術館的設計，但事實上是依著過去工廠的建築，讓不同的畫廊，店舖，咖啡館進駐，地方還頗零散，若手上沒張地圖我還真不知道該怎麼走。參觀了幾家畫廊，整體來說風格都比較現代畫畫風，所以我就開始挑一些有趣的店舖及書店看看有沒有些好玩的雜物或書籍，基本上店舖的東西可能跟外面一些時上的雜貨舖差不多，不過書店裡的東西就五花八門，從文學，藝術，建築，歷史，攝影都有，也讓我找到了季羨林先生的一些書。

有些咖啡館或餐廳設計也還不錯，若是想感受一下北京的藝術氣息又不嫌遠的話，我倒是建議可以來走走，要是交通方便的話這邊應該也是週末用餐或下午茶的好地方，可以遠離一下煩囂的城市感受一下不同的氣息。

3 Step Cooking - Bakery

I have been loving making things by myself. Cooking and baking are something I am pretty found of. Since young, I have seen daddy's cooking and because of my 5.5 years in Singapore, I have developed the cooking habit to firstly satisfy my eating desire for some specific dishes. As to Baking, I had been baking some cakes during my last year in uni since I got some free time after retiring from AIESEC. However, I didn't do much of baking since then because of the lack of equipments and tools.

During this long break, I did attend some Bread Baking session at CAKEDIY(飛訊) to pick up Break Baking as I used to make cakes instead. These two are pretty different in terms of the ingrediants and the methods applied.

So since I have much more free time in Beijing, I started to explore the Bread Bakery with this tiny and basic oven toaster provided by the service apartment. I firstly tried the 5 minutes bread receipt suggested by Jessica. She found it on tsui's blog - Anthoropologistin the kitchen 廚房的人類學家. However, it was very successful as it is too wet and difficult to make up the shape. So I decided to try another receipe book that I bought - 3 Step Cooking by Yummy. She started sharing her receipts with simple cooking method on blog and then published quite a number of cook books thereafter.

This time, I tried the Milk Bread and Crossoint. The result wasn't very good as the bread is very easy to get burn with the small oven like that. Besides, the bread wasn't raising properly as it may take longer than what I expected. However, the shape is almost there. Got to figure out some way to work together with this machine.

Jenny @ Yam Blog - 天空部落

I have arrived in Bejing last Thursday and have been trying to find a way to solve the website blocking problem here. However, I still can't access my Blogger blog from Beijing. Therefore, I've decided to have another site at http://blog.yam.com/jennyyang1218 so that I can still keep updating my blog and lifes in Beijing. Would try to update both at the same time if I find my way to manage them!

Sometimes, my blogger is working also. So would really try to write on whichever availabe first and update the other la!!

Happy Birthday

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

It is あなた's Birthday and also my first time really cooking for him after almost one year. It should be quite suprising for those people who know and taste my dishes before that I can hold on to it for so long. Actually, I just do not have my kitchen and tools so that I can not do anything. Now I have a wonderful OPEN KITCHEN. Because of this, I bought 2 Great Berndes pans so that I can cook without worrying about the smoke that may go all over the place.

I am really excited about the new place in Beijing and this wonderful kitchen. I have started my "housewife" life since arriving and kind of enjoying it. However, I still need to get back to working life. Wish me good luck on those applications I have send out!!

前門大街

前門大街是直接接到天安門及紫禁城的一條大道，在網上搜尋資料的時候，也看到了這個有趣的北京順口溜 “東四西單鼓樓前，王府井前門大柵欄”，也可見前門在北京過去的重要地位，不單只是地理位置，前門也是許多北京百年老店的據點。但也因為商業發展重心的轉移，前門失去了過去的風采，也因此開始了這個重整計畫，打算重現前門清末民初的"京味兒"。週末因為Grace工作的New Balance - 新百伦在前門開了全球首家新概念體驗店，我跟あなた決定一起去前門瞧瞧也順便捧捧場。

我們一走靠近前門大街的大牌舫就看到New Balance活動的宣傳，在這個"古色古香"的地方進駐了許多歐美的風行品牌，從Hagen Daze到ZARA都讓我驚訝不已，老實說，我還只在中國看過Hagen Daze的電視廣告，而且還是很localized的。除此之外，就是這些北京有名的百年老店像是全聚德的總店，門外排隊的人潮行我們兩為之怯步，其實他旁邊還有個較高級的店面提供一人$399的套餐，也因為相對高價所以沒那麼多人，但我真的不覺得需要吃到$399的烤鴨。

所以繼續走著走著看到"都一處"，之前常在台北仁愛路四段看到"北平都一處"也聽到不少好評，我們倆就決定進去給他光顧一下。"都一處"是因為乾隆皇帝當年微服出巡時在年三十晚上光顧，前門其他店家都已打烊，便光顧這家小店，一問之下竟知小店沒店名，就隨口下了個"都一處"的名字，回去也叫人搬了個虎頭匾，這小店才慢慢發展了起來。我們進門一看菜單，聽說有名的是現做的燒賣，就決定試試他們的兩人套餐有小菜、炒時蔬、醬爆雞丁、炸丸子及豬肉燒賣。口味上還是北方既有的重鹹重口味，而現做的燒賣是最後上，老實說，那跟我們習慣的燒賣不太一樣，皮較厚而收口處也因沒有肉餡而顯的過乾，感覺上像是在吃包子，不過那醬爆雞丁卻是很不錯。

對"都一處"的結論是，對觀光客來說可能可以試試百年老店的特色，不過長駐的話可能就不在再次拜訪的名單上了。

8th Aug 2009

首先，父親節快樂!! 還有新加坡生日快樂!!

這個八月八號對我來說是一個很不一樣的日子，這是我三年前決定由新加坡回台灣之後與我父親一起慶祝的第三個父親節，這也是我成為新加坡公民後的第一個新加坡國慶日，更重要的是今天是我外婆骨灰罈進塔的日子。

一直沒有提到這件事，因為這樣脆弱的情緒是我最不善於處理及面對的，從六月中外婆往生之後，我們的生活已漸漸回復正常，我也以為我已經收拾好我的心情繼續走下去。但今天下午一到禪寺拿起香祭拜外婆，眼淚及傷心的感覺立刻襲捲我，再上樓去請外婆住進"新家"，原本在眼框裡打轉的眼淚立刻掉了下來。這是我第一次真正面對也經歷失去親人的狀況，而外婆又是在祖父母中跟我最親近的，她往生的當晚其實我人在印尼，隔天得到消息，只能說是飛奔回台。

在あなた今年五月確定過去北京之後，我原本也打算八月後也一起過去，但因為外婆的事情及對媽媽的衝擊，讓我開始思考如何能夠兼顧あなた與父母親的生活模式。開始工作的話，我應該不太有可能有這樣的彈性可以經常往返，但現階段的我又還沒有清楚的方向可以開始自己的小生意可以讓我擁有時間及地點上的彈性，不過我相信我能夠找到方法去創造這個我想到的新生活模式。只願外婆在天堂每天快快樂樂也保佑爸媽身體健康，讓我無後顧之憂地開始繼續努力!

My 3 Little Babes

These are the pictures of our lovely 3 little babes. By now, I have 5 lovely nephews and niece. After the eldest 2 boys we welcomed 4 years ago. Now we have 3 more new members these 2 years. Other than my Ron Ron babe, we finally welcomed our first GIRL babe mid last year. Early this month, we have another new member joined our big family.

It's really interesting to have these kids around so that we can enjoy and witness the wonderful process of their growing-up. It's so amazing that they were just a LITTLE BABE about my arm tall but now they all grow up.

I have promised myself not to become over-aged pregnant woman and I hope to have 2 babes. That means I have 4 more years to deliver them. I really felt time is flying after welcoming more and more babes from my family and friends. I got to catch up then!!

Diving Again After 4 Years!!

My last dive was in May 2005 which was 4 years ago. I did not have the opportunity to go during my last year in Singapore and not to mention the recent 2 years back in Taipei. Therefore, at the beginning of my holiday, I've listed down all the things that I want to do during this break and "DIVING" is definitely one of them.

For my previous dives, I normally went with my instructor, Ying Kai, as I can rent all the equipments from him so that I don't need to buy any. Besides, there is certain trust level that I know I would be very safe while going with him. (For those interested in taking up Diving Courses, you may check out his website "the submersibles".)

Therefore when I started my holiday, I wrote to Ying Kai to ask for his diving trip schedules and finally I manage to make it for this wonderful Manado trip. Manado is located at the central of Indonesia Sulawesi island. It is a pretty famous diving spots because of its unique marine life and creatures. Other than those lovely fishes and creatures, we met those cute Dolphins also. It's really fund to have them chasing our boat and playing with us. It was an wonderful trip to get back to underwater world again to experience the beauty and peace of this amazing world.

I hope that I can go for diving at least once a year and let's go Green Island in Taiwan next year then!

蘇老師瑜珈斷食營 - 馬來西亞篇

這是我第四次參加蘇老師的瑜珈斷食營，一開始主要是因為需要紓解工作壓力及改善應該工作帶來不良生活習慣的問題，包括我長時間三餐不定時再加上吃的又急又快所造成的腸胃問題，每次回來總是覺得身體與精神都好非常多。基本上蘇老師提倡的瑜珈斷食是透過一段時間不進食來讓身體的精力專注在排毒功能上，至於詳細內容有興趣的可以參考"蘇老師瑜珈斷食營"。

我之前三次都是去老師在台南的中心，但這兩年來因為參加的人數太過踴躍，可能都需要提早三到四個月報名。我上次去的時候其實是今年的三月，但想趁我還再放假再去一次把身體作更好的調整，但從今年五月到九月都已經報名額滿，而我又剛好打算回新加坡一趟潛水去，就異想天開第問老師說有沒有可能去參加馬來西亞的梯次。應該也因為我這個異想天開的想法促成了幾位台灣學員也一同前往。

基本上課程的內容與在台灣是一樣的不同的是參與的大多是馬來西亞的學員，雖說我對馬來西亞還算熟悉，不過與這麼多馬來西亞學員一起渡過斷食營的七天倒還是頭一遭。除此之外另一個特色應該是最後一天的"大餐"吧!! 因為這次是由馬來西亞當地的老師主廚，第一次嘗到重口味的東南亞料理也可以走健康路線，應該是我其中一個大收穫吧!!

容容寶貝 - 16 months

Our dearest precious at home is my dearest nephew.  My mom has been helping take care of him for my sister since he was born and now he is 16 months old already.  It's so amazing to see a little baby growing up like this.  He now can walk, run and talk in a very cute way.  I finally understand why people always said that children between 1 to 3 years old are the cutest.  Yes, he is really very cute!!  I'm going to miss him a lot if not staying at Taipei that often.  :Q

天使野餐 de Angelos

This is a great place that I discovered lately. I have been there 3 times in the past 3 weeks. The first time we were there for dinner. We ordered a twin-sharing set which was fantastic with good taste, settings and good price performance as the set includes appetizer, soup, salad, 2 main course, spaghetti, chocolate pot and drinks. Surprisingly, it costs only NT$999. The 2nd I was there for my AIESEC MC team mate gathering as Jessica and Frank happened to be back for holiday at the same time. I ordered their brunch and this afternoon I had a Vegetable Set.

I like this place because they are offering healthy, delicious and beautiful food. They emphasized on low-salt, low-oil and organic. Other than that, I like the quiet environment in the afternoon with the nice music. It's just like a cozy home that I would like to have in the near future. However, sometimes it would be a bit noisy during lunch and dinner because there are always full-house during the peak hours. Even though, I would still recommend you to try their stuff. Really nice and it's all home-make or hand-make. Check it out then!!

天使野餐 de Angelos

四維路208巷10號, Taipei (just opposite 遠企)

Tokyo Trip

It seems that I have been having my long holiday since beginning of the year.  It is 100% true but guess I'm just used to have a packed schedule with all the different kinds of activities. So I have to say that I'm quite busy and therefore, I have not been writing much even though I'm actually on holiday! Sorry! :Q

Therefore, this one has been delayed for too long as I have returned from Tokyo for more than one month.  I decided to keep up with my work on the blog since I have confirmed most of the things other than planning my new life in Beijing.  

I was in Tokyo for 8 days this early April because of Sandy's wedding.  Because it's such a unique trip to gather all the friends from different parts of the world,  Sandy arranged 2 trips for us to enjoy the unique culture and beauty of Japan.  

Before the wedding, we went to Izu, a famous peninsula near Tokyo for its Hot Spring and Sakura.  I have been wondering why Jun choose April to be their wedding in Tokyo since the Taiwan one was held last Sep.  Right after I arrived at Tokyo, I realized it's the best weather and the most beautiful season in Japan because of SAKURA. 

 

I like Izu a lot as it's not so much a tourist place to me.  We took high speed train to Izu and then transfered to the local train.  That's the first time I really got in touch with the local local Japanese and experienced the great food, scenarios and beauty of Japan.  After the wedding, we went to Nikko, also another famous place in Japan because there are famous temples for two of the great leaders in Japan's history.  I can't really use words to describe all the nice parts I have experienced there but I believe you can see from my photos there (Jenny's Tokyo+Izu+Nikko Photo Set). 

The most important event of this trip is of course Sandy's wedding.  I'm really happy to see Sandy again in Tokyo because I can tell she really lives happily with the newly-wed husband.  Guess that's what most of the girls want; find a partner who can really share their lives, up and down and most importantly to take care of each other.

They have a small but very decent wedding, very cozy and warm to me.  It's held in a garden of a hotel in Japan.  After participating in more and more of my girlfriends' weddings, I started to think how I want to hold mine.  I do have some idea and hopefully, I would start this project soon.  : )

Fishmart 漁園海鮮

Fishmart - 漁園海鮮

去年決定辭職的時候，就想要趁這個機會嘗試不同的工作模式。主因是因為想要有自己可以自主的時間及做自己想做的事情，原本的想法是作有關於貿易的部分，畢竟我過去幾年的經驗都在行銷及進出口的部分。但做這樣的生意最重要的就是產品，要有unique的產品才能在這個競爭的市場中闖出一片天。

當時剛好有機會接觸到這個海鮮相關的公司，老實說，我對這個產品並沒有特別的感覺。但畢竟從小在海邊長大以及家族對水產事業的接觸，讓我覺得這可能也是個我嘗試新的事業模式的好機會。所以我從二月底開始這個網站的project，經過一開始概念的formulation，內容的準備到實際的上線及產品上架。其實execution對我來說，從來不是個問題，但之前都有同事或是agent作美工的動作，所以這次我倒是花了些時間去熟悉Photoshop及Dreaweaver。

海鮮因為其營養價值，一直被視為高級食材。漁園海鮮就是希望把健康及高品質的水產品推廣給在台灣的消費者，過去台灣好的海鮮大多是出口，留在台灣的大多是被B級的產品。再加上水產品其實是很複雜的食材，因為其高蛋白質的特性以及可能在產地或加工過程中被污染的可能性，要找到健康、衛生、無污染、無化學添加物的水產品，相對來講比較困難。所以魚園海鮮就在這樣的市場及其過去養殖、批發的經驗下，投入這個市場。如果大家對吃海鮮有興趣更對健康海鮮有需求，或許你可以考慮魚園海鮮的產品。

漁園海鮮將在5月16號網站正式開幕及五週年慶的活動，漁園海鮮系列產品全面九折，單筆消費滿兩千即可獲得價值NT$230的產品(低鹽鮭魚片or干貝花枝丸)!  

歡迎光臨!!  漁園海鮮，健康領先!!

Lifestyle

I have started my new lifestyle from the beginning of this year.  I have a whole list of things to do that I can't make it with the busy working life.  I traveled quite a bit to Singapore, Hong Kong, Macau, Japan and Taichung.  Next month, I should have a trip back to Singapore, Malaysia and "DIVING" in Manado, Indonesia.  I have taken quite a number of different courses including Japanese, Sketching, Bakery, Massage and my Makeup course would start soon in mid June.  On top of this, I'm involved in setting up the online shopping site for my cousin's seafood retail business.  To summarize my past 5 months of new life, I'm very happy, satisfied and feeling fulfilled.  Those are things I've been missing for long time.  

A lot of friends would ask why I make this decision as it really take some big courage to do different things from what most of the people are doing.  However, I'm really glad that I made this decision so that I can at least have a good time which I may not have the opportunity if I'm getting into a family and with kids.  

I'm planning to conitnue this until last the last quarter of this year and would start new one at another location!!

New Toy - Sony Cyber-Shot T90

I just bought the new Sony Cyber-shot T90 as my current one is about 5 years old and the battery can't really survive a few shoots already.  I have been surveying and trying to find one with good performance, features and also price.  I was thinking of T77 but by the time I decided, they have end that product line.  

Therefore, I decided to go for the next generation, T90.  There are 5 colors and I went for the Brown color one as that looks more elegent and sophisticated than the others to me.  The most interesting and useful function to me is the "Smile Detecting" so that I can take my own pictures nicely.

Just share some nice one with you and I would be taking more during my trip to Japan next week!

Macau & HK 5 Days Trip

I was on 30 days Landing Visa into Taiwan and that's to say I have to leave every 30 days.  So I have planned a few trips for this purpose.  The first one is Macau and HK.  I actually was planning for Angkor Wat but the direct flight schedule can not fit into our plan.  Therefore, we switch to Macau and HK as he needs to visit HK to arrange some banking stuff.  

We spend the first 2 days in Macau as I want to see Cirque Du Soleil's performance - ZAiA.  They actually have it now in Taiwan but the ticket is quite expensive and are almost sold out already. Because of this, we stayed at Venetian.  The room is really quite nice but the whole hotel/resort is too big and the managment isn't good enough to handle the huge demand.  Besies, there are a lot of PRC visitors and that makes that place like a market instead of a 5 star hotel.

Then we visited Macau Island itself to see the historical site Ruins of St. Paul's.  It's really a tourist site as there are tons of people around.  To be frank, I think Macau is really for Casino.  I might not have 2nd trip there soon unless there are some special arrangment. 

One of the important missions this trip is to get my Visitor Visa so that I don't have to be bond by the 30 days.  It's the same place that I got my working visa last time and therefore it's not easy for me.  Besides, we also spend 3 days on Hong Kong Island last trip and I've got to know the place quite well.  I requsted for Multiple Entry and valid for180 days.  Surprisingly, it's free of charge and they granted me 1 year.  It's actually 60 days for every entry but I can actually extend twice which makes up of 180 days.  Taiwan government is really friendly for people like us. : )

After that, I finaly got the chance to visit Pininsula Hotel for their famous Afternoon Tea. The portion is really for 2 people though I ordered the one for One person.  I just want to try the Traditional English Afternoon Tea.  I actually arrived about 30 minutes earlier and just sit down.  If not, I got to queue up for about 20 minutes as there are people starting to line up around 1:45pm.  The food isn't so fantastic and it's quite noisy because of the crowd.  However, it's a good expenrience to really try something which is recommended for long. 

The other important mission is to meet up with all my OLD Friends.  I haven't met up with Ceci after I left Singapore 2 years ago.  We had spend a good time together as Housemates.  We are just like family especially when we both are alone overseas.  It's realy great to know that she is going well also and really great to meet up with my whole gang in Hong Kong.  Thank you my Sis!!