Beowulf: Director's Cut (2007, Movie)

First, I did not know that it is computer-generated animation.  The characters looked too much like cartoon characters. The voice acting was very well done though. 

Half day at the Huntington Library

Return of an Icon  

The wait is over! After a year-long closure and a $6.8 million renovation, the historic Japanese Garden has reopened, marking its centennial as one of the most beloved and iconic landscapes at The Huntington. Completed in 1912, the nine-acre site, with its picture-postcard views of koi-filled ponds, distinctive moon bridge, and historic Japanese House, has attracted more than 20 million visitors since the institution opened to the public in 1928.

Now several new elements enhance this “magical place.” Among the new features visitors will see is an authentic ceremonial teahouse, situated on a ridge above the existing Japanese House and set within a traditionally landscaped tea garden. A newly created waterfall cascades down the slope, visually connecting the tea garden to the ponds below.

Restoration of the Japanese House, a structure built in Japan around 1904, showed elements such as the distinctive curves of the roof line, an elaborately carved ornament atop one of the gables, and original plaster and wood finishes have been restored, giving the house a dramatically different appearance, but one more authentic to the building’s past.

A Storied Past

The Japanese Garden is among the oldest and most elaborate of its kind in America. Begun in 1911, it was inspired by widespread Western fascination with Asian culture.  In 1968, The Huntington added the Zen Garden and a bonsai display that was expanded in 2010.

真 原 醫 21世紀的預防醫學 (楊定一博士 著)

身心靈的完整，人才會是健康的。楊博士不以西醫為侷限，能廣納多方醫學概念，好！

但此書統合性十足. 原創性則未如書名! 作者嘗試以整合性健康醫學概念. 創造一種養身新顯學. 只是讀罷後會發覺. 書中所論述的內容. 多年來已有許多書籍與作者分別論及. 本書並未顯示其獨特的原創性... 它的特色是較具統合性. 它將身心靈各層面的養身健康觀完整論及...  或該說. 本書較為重視東方心靈修持. 因全書約一半篇幅在講述情緒與內在平衡. 唯涉及心靈內層的所有學問(或心法). 其實是法門萬千. 不一而足. 以靜坐或宗教體驗等方式來安定心靈.也可說是其中之最.　　 

閉關三日誌

感謝林淑貞老師的提醒，利用國殤日三天之長週末，完成自己止語三天的訓練。 目的並非剋期取證，也無念頭要成就十萬遍咒語。僅憑一己之私，在無壓力情況下，實行大禮拜、加上交替默誦獻曼達咒、百字明咒、以及六字大明咒。 


三日下來，體驗到止語的精髓，使我根本無暇去妄語、綺語、兩舌、惡囗，天下本無事，庸人自擾之！一個無語的世界就是一個無紛擾的清淨國土。再者，連續數百次的五體投地大禮拜的確讓我腰肩勞損，真有力不從心、齒危髮禿之歎。最後也是挺重要的一環：準備一位負責任的護關者，照料飲食起居諸鎖事，以免心中雜念紛飛，不知所止。 


出關時，但覺身輕氣爽，雖然天空仍舊是藍的，世界依然如故運轉，我衷心祝願眾生離苦得樂，早生淨土。

We Bought a Zoo (2011, Movie)

"You know sometimes all you need is 20 seconds of insane courage. Just literally 20 seconds of embarrassing bravery. And I promise you something great will come of it."  


Based on a real story of, and adapted from the book by, Benjamin Mee, who actually bought the dilapidated Dartmoor Zoo in Devon, England, and turned it into a world acclaimed zoological park. The setting has been changed from the English countryside to California. 


Overall this is a fun and lighthearted film.

Showstopper Dance Performance Competition

We've done it! Competing in Showstopper looked like a big challenge for all of us, until we received a Platinum award for our dancing category. For better or worse, it's an experience. In stead of crying over for spilled milk, we shall continue to further our skills and teamwork. Kudos, my dear dancing mates!

Here is the video clip of 'Beautiful Season': http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7OL9lxQxYc

『故宮數位時代過去與未來』特展, 洛僑中心

中國字如何演變而來, 現場視覺聲光效果, 讓大家看見漢字構形的奇妙, 一筆一畫都蘊含豐厚的中華文化, 這是在國立故宮博物院, 臺灣書院及洛僑中心共同主辦的「故宮數位畫時代 過去與未來」展示故宮數位典藏新風貌.


包括毛公鼎漢字互動裝置, 翰逸神飛影片, 唐宮狂想曲, 互動裝置等動態展區與動畫作品, 讓人充分感受互動體驗的魅力. 主要是著重在書畫藝術的部分, 就是傳統中國繪畫藝術, 包括唐人宮樂圖, 郎世寧的百駿圖, 都用數位化的方式, 能夠認識中國繪畫藝術之美.

也有播放故宮最新製作的「國寶娃娃入寶山」的一個卡通影片, 用比較有趣 童趣的方式, 直接欣賞這個具有卡通化效果趣味的電影, 對於故宮整體幾個重要代表性文物, 都有出現在這個電影裡面, 透過古代美術與現代科技, 完美結合.