Regain the joy of Reading

I forgot how great it was when you were reading a book.

When I was in high school, I loved to read. (I hate all the must-read recommended from teacher though. Coz.. I'm a rebel ?! ) Later, when I got admitted in translation studies, it introduced me to a lot of great authors on earth. Most of the book I read at that time was contemporary Chinese literature and some popular English fictions. It's like open the gate to heaven. Translating them become one of my hobby. But this hobby didn't last long.

After finishing the diploma in translation, I got admit to Cultural Studies in the university. I find myself reading huge amount of academic readings. That was the time I stop reading any books. Reading to me at that time was so target-oriented. You gotta read these "materials" to get your essay done. Reading was not a enjoyable but stressful. Sorry books, I gave up on you. And I won't do that again.

So, now I am graduated from the university. 24 hours of spare time. You gotta spent it somehow. Book come back to my life.



Few weeks ago, the bookstore was on sale. And I was wandering at the fiction section. And I pick up this amazing book call Gargoyle. It's the cover that draws me in. I read a few pages and headed to the cashier right away.

I forgot the joy of reading, specially a fiction. A good book should be keeping you to turn page-by-page, chapter-by-chapter, and you really wish you could finish it straight away. The joy of reading is that you can imagine your own picture of the scene. The words can translate themselves into picture when you was reading it. This is the joy you won't gain when you are watching TV or a movie.

The way that Andrew Davidson arrange the chapter always keep me wondering what could happen next. I like the way of guessing till the end when I was reading. Especially when you are reading Gargoyle, it's more than a detective story, it keeps make you ponder is Marianne telling the truth or she just a crazy woman. I have no idea on how to write a review. So many people had already written about this book on GoodReads and other media. So, my book review should stop here.

So, I joined GoodReads. It keeps recommending me to read books that I may like.

Thank you book. I am back. Please do let me come back to you.

Dear book lovers,

Could you help me a lost-and-found book lover here?
In the ocean of million books,
How do you decide to pick up that particular book and read it till the end?
Could you recommending me some book review blog(s) that you like?
Any tips?

Sorry for asking too much questions. You know, I gave up on reading once. And I am trying my best not to make it happen again. That's why I ask those questions. To prevent tragedy from happening.

Love,
Vicky

Quote from Gargoyle.

Hell is a choice because salvation is available to anyone who seeks it. The damned choose their fates, by deliberately hardening their hearts.
~Andrew Davidson, Gargoyle (p. 390)

Envelope Adoption Programme (Yah, Free Envies!)

June 20th UPDATE: Sorry that I made a typpo mistake on my email address in this post for the past few weeks. Many thanks to Ana for correcting me. So if you send me an email and got no response, please do send it again at write2five[at]gmail[dot]com. A million sorry.

Introduction: Envie Adoption Programme is specially designed for anyone who want some free envies made from Hong Kong magazine pages.

Aim: The graphic and design in Hong Kong magazine is too pretty to toss away. In order to give them a second chance to live, I will turn them into envelopes. And send them to the kind people around the world. The aim of this programme is let the magazine envies to see the world. Also, they deserve a chance to be seen!

Quality of the envie: They are magazine pages after all. Soft and fragile. A piece of unwanted flyers/A4-size papar is sticked inside the magazine envie in order to support and strengthen the magazine envie. They are strong. They can travel long distance.

Graphic/Design of the envies: Mostly drawings or pictures from local artist. But sometime there will be photos of delicious dishes or travel destination. No, never, no advertisement.

Size: Around 3.5' X 5'. It depends on the size of the magazine pages.

How to Join? Send me email at write2five[at]gmail[dot]com with your postal address and please state "Envie Adoption Programme" in the subject line. Through the delicate care of the postman in Hong Kong and your area, 5 envies will arrive in your mail box. As simple as that.

Deadline? No. No deadline yet. It will run forever, I guess. Given the circumstance that this is not a popular blog and I am guessing there won't be a lot of requests. So, I am guessing this will last forever. =p

Repeat customer is welcome.

Spreading the words are more than welcome, by putting the button on your blog would be a nice idea~! Just copy and paste the following code and the Envie Adoption Programme button will be appear in your blog. Yayay

<a href="http://showonfire.blogspot.com/2010/06/yah-free-envies.html"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Adjd73ULOmRoC4sQCQgrleR4HiLYEyxS3a5dzlye3Qi_dF8gxsiEfN_Yc3E9MzGWTE3RmCltYoicEYZoVFhxlRShvyJQl7f1JcY_62IGPr2ZbnqKRfGf8r45mk0ET9ldB0IcdaSy0MQ/s144/circles_orange.jpg" /><alt="=" 0" /><a>

HappY Envelopes. Open for adoption.

As you can see, I made tons of envelopes from magazine pages. All those pictures in magazine are so pretty. They deserve a chance to see the world and be seen by the world! So here they are!




I made some small envie (4' X 5.5') for the swapbot handmade envies swap. Two partner, five envie for each. Of course I need a bigger envie to put them all in. So, yummy summer treat envie with other pretty one inside!



Don't you just love masking tape? It doesn't block the whole image of the envie. It put on some mysterious feeling to the envie. The color of the envie is being revealed in a subtle way. Oh, that is for handmade envies swap.



There is one artist/food-stylist/cook I really like. He is Mr.Au Yueng. So I made a series of envies by his magazine column. I hope he doesn't mind. (You know, those copyright issue is super scary! You have no idea when you crossed the line.. sigh)




Kaytd89 from Swap-bot came up with an amazing idea. I have made seven small envies each of those contain a notecard with either silly or witty quotes or graphic or poem that hopefully will put a smile on the receivers' face when the receiver is not having a good day. I have fun making all those small envies. That is just so kind and cheerful that something is there to encourage you when bad day happens.

It just because I made tons of envelopes. And they are all from Hong Kong magazine pages. And they are all pretty (in my prespective.. ). I guess they deserve a chance to meet people around the world.

So Adoption?
If you are kind enough to give them a chance to see the world, then write me a email at write2five[at]gmail[dot]com with the subject line "Adopting envies". Put your mailing address in the content. Through the delicate care by the postman in Hong Kong and also in your destinated area, 10 small envies will arrive in your mail box, hopefully safe and sound.

They're waiting for you!

Delicious! Homemade yogurt with homemade strawberry Jam!

CAUTIONS: THE BLOG POST YOU ARE GOING TO READ IS EXTREMELY DELICIOUS! Be prepared!

Who ever thought that yogurt could be made at home? It's just so normal for me to buy them in supermarket. Million thanks to Jennifer's brother-in-law's mom for this delicious homemade yogurt recipe! If I can make it in Hong Kong, so can you!



It's super simple. Just heat half gallon of milk. Cool it down. Mix with a small container of plain yogurt. Leave at the counter overnight. Put some tissue paper on top of the homemade yogurt. Pop it into the fridge. And Wow, here you go, delicious, super creamy, and inexpensive homemade yogurt! Don't follow my instruction here, do check out the wonderful and funny recipe at Jennifer's blog.

The pink thing in my yogurt is another great recipe find in p for perfection. It's Strawberry Jam. Take only 30 mins to make. Super simple, super Yum!

Russian Tea
Strawberry Jam not only could put on bread and yogurt. But also you could put a tablespoon or two of Strawberry Jam in your Darjeeling Tea, we call that the Russian Tea. Little bit sour (coz of the lemon juice in the jam recipe,), little bit sweet, plus the scent mix with the tea and fresh strawberry. De-Li-Ci-O-So!!!



I tried to spell YUM with my homemade strawberry Jam here..

The first thing I think of, when I was still in my bed, just open my eyes, is I gotta see what my yogurt become! I gotta eat them! I made them last Friday. It was about 2L of yogurt according to Jennifer's recipe, and only me and my mom were eating it. The yogurt went into our tummy in only three days! I just make a new batch and using my first yogurt as starter. They are now sleeping in my kitchen counter, hoping that everything will be delicious!

Give it a try! Easy to get addicted! Simple Gourmet make with your lovely hands!