Monterey and 17 Miles Drive vacation

https://photos.app.goo.gl/o7vnoa1uN3mZcfw28

https://photos.app.goo.gl/X3TqJHSv3AXMYmfHA

https://photos.app.goo.gl/DFLsPxTPse64VZFH7 (play slide show)

Ikenobo California Pacific Study Group Intensive Training Workshop

This is a very intensive 3 days training on Rikka, Shoka and Free Style flower arrangements. We had a very skillful and talented teacher Sensei Yu (余仲麒) leading us towards very detailed and complex ways of arranging flowers. The key event was the inauguration of the new Chapter: California Pacific Study Group, led by Joseph Lam. 

I learned a lot of the trivial aspect regarding how to treat fragile flowers, after breaking several branches while practicing Rikka. No wonder I just couldn't enjoy the cruel way of bending and wiring such natural plants. How sad! 

The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (Movie, 2008)

It proved to be a huge disappointment. Li looks absolutely bored in his role as the first Chinese emperor. He is underused and seems more a reinforcement of cliche than anything else. And the CGI quality is strictly middle-of-the-road and frankly, it's not enough to overcome the crumby dialogue and superficial story.

This third entry into the Mummy franchise is a complete waste of time. 

The Express (Movie, 2008)

TOUCHDOWN!! This is a Football movie with everything I expect. It tells a true inspiring story. The Express is based on a true story about the first African American, Ernie Davis, to win the Heisman trophy. 

Recruited into Syracause, Davis is coached by Ben Schwartzwalder. A legendary football hero, Davis well deserves a story about his life. 

Wonderful acting by all, a heartwarming story and a movie that will leave you inspired. 

The Greatest Showman (Movie, 2017)

It tells the romantic story of P. T Barnum, the poor son of a tailor, falling in love at an early age with an aristocratic girl. When I was young, I loved West Side Story. This movie is not on the same level though.

Don't expect historical accuracy.

Moribana

CIA: Exiled (Movie,1993)

Originally named “Curacao,” “CIA: Exiled” is an action thriller centered around a discredited CIA agent assigned to an island outpost. This was a made for TV movie based on a novel called 'The Prince of Malta' written by James David Buchanann. George C. Scott must have been hard up for a job when he made this low budget film. It's a boring one.

Taiwan Trip August 2018

One year (對年） for my father-in-law's anniversary (忌日)，there were some kind of formal activities plus religious pujas. We took this opportunity to have a little fun after such solemn events.

Sun-Moon Lake (日月潭) had changed ten folds ever since my childhood memory. Scenery is still astonishing though, except the crowds made me uncomfortable. Nonetheless, it's always been a rather unusual gathering for 4 families together!

新竹城隍廟(Temple in Hsin-Chu) is quite a place for night market. The good thing about traveling Taiwan is food and fruit. I don't want to miss those native dishes plus authentic semi-tropical fruits.

As a result of craving for all kinds of  exotic (to me) seafood, my stomach started protesting and ended up indigestion. What a bummer! I was fed on porridge for a whole week.

Taiwan was hit hard due to global warming. Here in Kaohsiung, not a single day during our stay was without rain. Right before we got ready to board the airplane, the thunder storm hit the area really bad. Luckily, we missed the potential typhoon. And sadly, A-Liang (阿亮) got really sick from catching cold in the rain.

Cannot wait to come back to our warm beds and rest....

Now, enjoy this short movie clip:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/Swirr7aZwuoQKA6W8

The Numbers Station (Movie, 2013)

It's a creative story, well told, and well acted which you will enjoy from beginning to end. However, how did the bad guys get into the Numbers Station? And why is there conveniently loads of explosives in the Numbers Station?  

It's an entertaining one.