A dedication......

Dearest friends,
Thanks for being a real friends to me, I sense the joy in getting to know you.
My life is like a moon, how bright it is depends on how much I shoot out my lights, and how much I'm getting the lights from......YOU!
You're my inspiration! Let's celebrate the life given to us!

From the heart beat of
Arts of life

Big Fish.....

Yesterday was a holiday...... I picked up this movie "Big Fish" directed by Tim Burton, it was inspiring and amazing to watch. How one man telling tales about his life, and his boy wouldn't believe a single words he said, because it sound like fairy tales.

I remember during the end of the movie, his father suffer a stroke and was reaching the end of his life. His father asked the son, "How will I end my life? ", the son just couldn't help but to make up a happy ending story of how his father's fanstasy, coming alive to greet him and saying farewell. He shed his tears, seeing his father rest in peace, and the fairy tales lives forever in that boy's life.

Life is a fairy tales, with our own imagination to create a fictional world, that inspire us, excite us, that keeps us from the cruelty of life......

My New Cooking Blog....

"What's cooking?"
Do visit my new cooking blog at the following link http://felixthechai.livejournal.com/
Enjoy a good life with good food! Have a great day! ^@^

Tree of life......

Imagine your life like a tree.....

A seed planted on the ground
(the sperm and ovum join)
The seed begin to grow
(tiny foetus swim around in mum's body)
Seed "pop" out from the ground
(baby deliver out from mum's vagina)
Seed open to meet the world
(little baby open his eyes to see the world)
Seed feeds by sun, waters and photosynthesis
(mum feeds his little baby from her breast)
The tiny seed turns into a little green plant
(baby grow taller everyday into a boy)
The little plant grow to have roots, trunks, branches, twigs and leaves
(the boy learn all the ways of life in moral, discipline, behaviour, talking, walking...)
Inch by inch the little plant errect to be a bigger tree
(little boy growing each day to be a bigger man)
Beautiful, proud and strong the tree standing on the ground
(handsome, confidence and vibrant the man standing on the world)
Birds, butterfly, animal greet the tree
(friends, family, relatives meet the man)
Fungus, worms, weeds attack the tree
(age, enemies, sickness destroy the man)
The tree turns into snag, lonely, old and dying
(the man turns into old man, solitary, retired and fighting breath)
Debris the tree has become, lying on the ground.....
(funeral was held for the man, lying on the coffin with no sign of life.....)
Written by Felix Chai 18th October 2006

Grieve over 100...

My word! This is my 100th post!? Never thought I could post that many stuff in my blog, time is sure speeding like anything......To be honest, who would have thought blogging would play such a big part in my life, with some of the friends I met along the way.
We share joy, we share burden, we share struggle...., life is dull without friends around, especially when the loneliness creeps into my mind and no single comments left in my blog. (But that isn't the main reason, my inspiration seems to be dried out, I have nothing to blog about!)
Well, I guess "life" taste better when I learn to endure the loneliness, and enjoy being with myself, switch my focus on the "Arts of life" that enrich my life deeply.
Let's celebrate then, I have "Pop" open the Champagne, while it's bubbles spill all over my kitchen table, "Cheers to Arts of life!......Cheers!".

Such relaxation.....

Yay! Finally someone got the photo develop! Few weeks ago, I went to Borneo Golf Resort for a time of relaxation with my sunday school teachers. Each of the teacher was allow to bring along their family for the retreat, since I'm the barchelor, so they arrange a boy to stay with me. My room was simply beautiful, such luxury with all the stuff I need for a cool holiday.
Well, it was a two day one night trip, mostly we were just swimming in the swimming pool, having bonquet, walk around the beach, unwind our stress in the world......

My Dinner (Part 4)

Eggs festival... great for finger food! Enjoy!

"Egg-licious Platter"

Ingredient:
4 Chicken Eggs
4 Salted Eggs
Some Mayonaise
Some Finely Chopped Parsley
Some Black Sesame
Bowl of water
Some Vinegar
Some Salt

1. Boiled the water in the pot, mixed some Vinegar and Salt, the mixture will sealed the eggs from breaking when boiling.
2. Hard-boiled all the eggs, pealed the shell, cut the eggs into small boat size, arrange it nicely in a plate.
3. Squeeze the Mayonaise lightly on the chicken eggs only and sprinkle the Parsley and Black Sesame on the top.
4. Lid a tealight candle in the center to delights the diners.

My Dinner (Part 3)

Haha... photo shoot my cooking again, hope you enjoy my recipe!

"Deep Fried Pork Chop in Curry Flavour"

Ingredient:
Five Teaspoon of Curry Powder
A small bowl of Milk
Two slice of Pork Chop
Two pieces of Onion
Three pieces of Garlic
Some Finely Chopped Parsley
Some mixed dried spice such as Cinnamon, Cloves, Nutmeg & etc.
A pinch of Salt
Some Waters
Some Cooking Oil

1. Slice the Pork Chop in even thin slice, heat the pan and deep fried the Pork Chop into goldren brown, slice the chop into matches even size.
2. Prepare the Curry Powder in a bowl and mixed with a bowlful of water, slice the onion in thin slice, chopped the garlic.
3. Heat the pan, pour some cooking oil. First put in the onion and garlic, stir-fry until the aroma arose, put in all the mixed dried spices.
4. Pour the Curry Powder mixture in the pan, continue to stir it, when it turn a bit dry, pour in the bowlful of milk.
5. When the mixture come to a boil, put the Pork Chop in the mixture, and sprinkle some salt and parsley.
6. Taste it and place your cooking in a beauiful plate, pamper your tummy with a bowlful of rice!

Moonlight......

I snapped this shot yesterday, when the moon are ready to finish off the night shift. Take a look at the warm light, the air is cool, with morning dews circulating everywhere. Have a nice day! ^@^

My Dinner (Part 2)

Here is my second dish, my girl friend's favourite food.

"Mince meat Egg Pancake"

Ingredient:
Three Eggs
A bowl of Pork Mince Meat (or beef, chicken)
Some Finely Chopped Parsley
A spoonful of White Sesame
Some Cooking Oil

Marinade:
A teaspoon of Black Soya Sauce
A spoonful of Sesame Oil
A teaspoon of Chinese Cooking Wine

Sauce:
Some Mayonaise or Tomato Sauce

1. Marinade the mince meats in a bowl, leave it for 15 minutes.
2. Beat the eggs in a small bowl and stir in finely.
3. Mix the marinade mince meat together with the stir eggs.
4. Heat the pan with some cooking oil, pour the mixture into the pan, as if you are making a pancake.
5. Sprinkle the finely chopped parsley on top the mixture, and continue to fry the "pancake".
6. Turn over when the "pancake" turns golden brown, continue to fry the other side.
7. Cut the "pancake" into small triangle serving size, place it on the serving plate, sprinkle some white sesame and chopped parsley as a finishing touch.
8. Place the mayonaise and tomato sauce at the side as dipping.

Pamper yourself with some good food and a tempting red wine! Let's get drunk!...... cheers!

My Dinner.....

Last night I was out of duty, so I gonna show off my cooking skill on the blog! Yay!
So, today I am going to make "Stir-fry green veggie with pork chop".

Ingredient:
Some Green Veggie (Anything)
Small portion of Pork Chop meat
One spoonful of Black Sesame
One spoonful of White Sesame
Some chopped Garlic

Marinade:
One teaspoon of Black Soya Sauce
One spoonful of Sesame Oil
One teaspoon of Chinese Cooking Wine
Some Corn Flour

Sauce:
One teaspoon of Salt
Some Cooking Oil
One spoonful of Water

1. First of all slice the green veggies in small even size. Chopped the garlic ready in a bowl.
2. Slice the Pork Chop meat in small even size, marinade it for 15 minutes.
3. Heat the fry pan, pour in some cooking oil, put the chopped garlic, stir it until you smell the garlic flavour.
4. Place in the pork chop and continue to stir-fry, when the meat turn slightly yellow brown, put in the green veggies.
5. Pour spoonful of water into the pan and let it simmer for about 10 min or whenever you think it's cook.
6. Before you scoop out, sprinkle one spoonful of salt and stir-fry.
7. Place the cooking on a beautiful plate, sprinkle the black & white sesame on the top, and you are ready to dine.
BON APPETITE.....Yummy! Enjoy cooking!

Taste of memory......

Doctor Felix enter the white painted room, I was lying down on the couch motionless. He took out a questionaire thing on his hand and start asking me all these question:

1. What is your fond memory of good taste, great food?


2. Are you fuzzy, simple, or whatever that being serve on your dining table it's fine for you?


3. How does it taste like? Do you think people will love it or hate it?


4. Are you addicted to it, or having it once in a while it's fine?


5. Was it home cooking, outdoor, or can be found in restaurant only?


6. Would you share it with friends, family, or prefer to dine alone?


7. Do you eat for survival, or survive to eat?


Me: "Ummm....Doc! Why are you asking me all this question?"
Doc: "Well, you have eating disorder don't you, it's recorded in your medical files."
Me: "No, I don't! I just have a large pineapple chicken pizza at Pizza Hut! Did you make some mistakes?"
Doc: "It's your name 'Arts of life'?"
Me: "That's correct!"
Doc: "It written clearly here that you have eating disorder. See for yourself!"
Me: (Looking at the file) "Oh my! You're right! But......but.....but......I don't have eating disorder!"
Doc: (He looks at my tummy) "Sure you have! You are eating like a fat cow! I have to prescribe you a diet plan! From now on no pizza, no cheese, no curry, no fried noodles, no lamb chop, no.......blah blah blah...."
Me: "Die......ah!" (Fainted on the couch)
(You can leave your answers for the questionaire in "comments", just for fun!^@^)

The Big Umbrella......

The Big Umbrella is trying to tell us a story today, enjoy "reading" it......What do you think The Big Umbrella is trying to tell us?...... (Read comments)

Crowded Arts......

Crowded - Come together, fill or occupy fully (Oxford Dictionary)

I guess that's us, definitely telling something about us, the life we got down here on earth...crowd, crowd, crowd......urghh....felt like stuck in a neck bottle! But hey! Let's stop for a while, look again at the crowd, the arts we place on our street!......
Did you see it yet?......"Crowded Arts" on our street!

An interview with the Author of Arts of life....

It was a lovely blue morning, shower of rain on the street, in a coffee shop, Earlgrey Tea with two drops of sugar, the conversation recorded with the Sony Mini Recorder, interviewer (marked as "&") and myself (Marked as "@")......

&: Hi! Arts of life! Thanks for taking your time out to meet up with me. (Shaking hands) My name is Felix Chai, and I'm the reporter from Blog Freaks Magazine. (Will be on the market soon...if you believe so)
@: You're welcome! I'm not that busy, I could use the opportunity to stretch my body, after spenting so much hours in front of a computer.
&: Here is my first question, how much time do you spent usually in blogging and surfing the net?
@: Ummm.....let me count! (Ticking his finger & murmur some numbers) I normally spent eight hours a day writing blogs, making interesting search on the net, edit my own design.
&: Wow! You could really use some fresh air today huh!
@: Yupe! I need to go out more!
&: What did you do for living?
@: I worked in a church as Worship Director, full time serving the Lord.
&: How about your previous work? I heard you've been trying out lots of other job.
@: You're right! When I left the school, I went to a Christian Mission Ship called "MV Doulos", serving there for two years visitng more than 12 countries. Then I returned to Sabah and worked in my home church for half a year as Youth Co-ordinator. Get bored, and move out to Kota Kinabalu to played piano in a Hotel Lounge for three month. And then move to another job selling books in a Christian Bookstore, I only manage to stay there for one year, and now landed in my church office. That's about it!
&: That's lot of shifting and changing of jobs huh...
@: Thats' what youngster normally do! Never stay put!
&: Let's talk about your blog. What's the main theme for your blog?
@: My theme for this blog is about arts, and how I relate arts in my life.
&: What's the main reason naming it "Arts of life"?
@:The reason I name it "Arts of life", because I believe Arts is life, of life, the life. My love, my passion, my whole life circled around the arts I see everywhere I go. I guess I just wanted to share my thoughts, my joy with the world.
&: What kind of materials did you use to build your blog?
@: Let me see......I got crafts, some creative idea, poems, short stories, some thoughts about life and my childhood, recipes, funny discovery on the net & etc.
&: That sound like a lot of stuff there! How do you relate all these in "Arts of life"?
@: Everything to me is arts. I often think of life in 4 words, L-eisure & pleasure, I-nner child, F-reedom in choices, of course E-at all you can! Ha......Arts play a big part in my life, being artistic is not only in paintings or dance, but in all the ways of life. It's a lifestyle to me!
&: Some of your written poems tends to express the darker side of life, why is that?
@: Often a time, I love to express how I really felt from the bad experience in life, and only in those moments, my inspiration seems to be overflowing. It's funny, but I tend to think negatively when something strike me. That's why I often remind myself to "Look at the bright side!", a lovely quotation shouted by one of my old friend Melanie Reed.
&: What's your favorite movies?
@: "Dancer in the dark" movie directed by Lars Von Trier and performed by Bjork. "Closer",
"Monalisa Smile", "Erin Brockovich" performed by Julia Roberts. "Shawshank's Redemption" performed by Tim Robbins. "Dead Man Walking" directed by Tim Robbins, performed by Susan Saradon & Sean Pean. "Bowling for colombine" directed by Michael Moore. These are a few of my all time favorites.
&: Oh my! Most of them are award-winner, I can see your preferences. So what's your favorite books then?
@: Some of the author I adore deeply. Amy Tan, Mo Yan, Anne Tyler, Gerald Stern, Sue Townsend, Adrian Plass, Jennifer Rees Larcombe, Chai Lan & etc. I could spent whole day reading and do nothing.
&: Some of them are my favorite author too! How about music preference?
@: Ummm... I love jazz, Grover Washinton Jr., Miles Davis, Chet Baker, Diana Krall, Norah Jones, Joe Sample & etc. I also love weird music like Bjork & Roberts Miles. It's a long list! I better stop!
&: Time sure run fast! Thanks for the interview, it will be running on the next issue of Blog Freaks Magazine. Nice talking to you! Have a great day!
@: You more than welcome! (Shaking hands and leave the coffee shop)

Blank.....

What a blank!? I was enjoying myself reading a book written by Mo Yan (Red Sorghum), an author from China. He is an outspoken, realism, a former farmer, an ex-soldier, a child suffer from hunger. His interpretation of his childhood, personal thoughts, daily life simply amaze me. Honesty is something that I honor in the books I read, or else I would chucked the book down the thrash bin.
Another author that I really adored, Michael Moore, he wrote the book "Bowling for columbine", "Fahrenheit 9/11", "Will they ever trust us again?" & etc. After reading the books, you should definitely watch his documentary movies, it's so cool and down to earth! I love his works!.....and Mo Yan's book was being make into a movie too, it's terrific! Highly recommended by Arts of life!......(I know it's outdated! But who cares!)

Trouble......

A bit of blues, cloud my days. I've got some depressing SMS from my friend, she said her family is driving her up the wall, everyone are mad with their troubles, she simply fed up with their never ending complaint.

What are troubles for? Why do we need to face it? Why we have to felt so helpless, so lonely, such failure to handles these troubles?

Life is unfair to us, if we tend to focus on these things. Let me share with you a dear song from Lizz Wright "Trouble"......

Trouble in the air
I don't want it
But I´ve to breathe
It´s coming through the door
Behind the shadows that surround me when I sleep
Somehow I know
that I can´t pray this away
I´ll keep my head down and get up on this train
This train
Ooo ...

I´m gonna ride this pain like a wave
Lord, make me over I don´t wann be afraid
And when my time is come and gone
I don´t wanna be the one who can´t let go

What if I get lost
I call out to you and you don´t save me?
The water comes too close
I don´t have the time to give
what you gave to me?
Well, as long as my name don´t change, I´ll be the same
I loved you more than time
Forever can´t take that away
Ooo ...
Can´t take that away

Just let me ride this pain like a wave
Lord, make me over I don't wanna be afraid
And when my time is come and gone
I don´t wanna be the one who can´t let go

Yeah, yeah, yeah

There is a river
Running by the train
It ain´t troubled
It´s just laying there, wading in the wind
Wading in the wind
Wading in the wind


Just let me ride this pain like a wave
Lord, make me over I don't wanna be afraid
And when my time is come and gone
I don´t wanna be the one who can´t let go

Let me ride this pain like a wave
Make me over I don't wanna be afraid
And when my time is come and gone
I don´t wanna be the one who can´t let go
Yeah, yeah
I´ll move on
Yeah, yeah
Ride
Yeah, yeah
Ooo, yeah ...

Arts of life said,
"I felt the loneliness, I felt the troubles, I felt the helplessness, but I also felt the need to let go!"