With the summer months upon us, everything looks so vibrant and colourful under the sun and the beautiful weather.
Some of the colours that have sparked joy in my life are captured here:
Places I Like
Great San Francisco Food Streets
As visitors are coming to town to San Francisco, there are a couple of streets here that offer a great variety of eateries without hurting your purses or wallets too much.
Enter the graffiti-filled Polk Street, which has a great variety of ethnic and international food ranging from Mexican cocktails, Moroccan food, Indian buffets, super cheat groceries, to fine diners including Michelin-starred La Folie and the romantic Italian Aquerello.
Next is Kearny Street, which links up the financial district and Chinatown to the Union Square.
Here choices include Greek eateries, Japanese curry and ramen, Thai food, International Food Court, American Classics, Cantonese flagship (R&G), and many popular boba tea places. There is an EscapeSF outfit now, which visitors should try. It is rated the top 2 most fun games in SF by Trip Advisors.
Beauty, Wisdom, and Peace
Still can’t believe I spent three years in this university studying – forever inspiring and beautiful Cambridge!
A Little European Flaire and Hygge
European flaire and the Denmark’s popular lifestyle – hygge (“cozy” or “enjoyment”) can be found in an unexpected part of Hong Kong called Wan Chai, which is famous for its night clubs, restaurants, and markets.
This is Lee Tung Avenue, which used to be the famous street of book/news publishing and wedding cards printing in Hong Kong. It has been redeveloped into a shopping arcade with plenty of European pleasure, shopping, eating, and sweet indulgence in the midst of busy Wan Chai.
What do San Franciscans Do on a Beautiful Sunday
A couple of weeks ago during Sunday lunch, I attended a University alumni function at the St. Francis Yacht Club in the Marina district, described as the most prestigious yacht club in the Western U.S.
While the club is no doubt very nice, what captured me the most that day was the surroundings and the leisurely San Franciscans on a sunny, beautiful afternoon by the Bay in San Francisco. I ended up walking back home from the marina – about an hour of leisurely walk! What a feast for the eyes and goodness for the body!
Happy New Year of the Fire Rooster
The first day of the Chinese New Year of the Rooster will be on January 28 when you will hear “Gong Xi Fa Cai” or “Gong Hey Fat Choi” well wishes (they both mean wishing you abundance of wealth.)
This year is one for the fire Rooster; the last time this occurred was in 1957. For each zodiac sign, there are five types – gold, wood, water, fire, and earth. Each type has a different personality.
Everything is celebrated in red – you will see children wearing red jackets, adults giving red packets to the younger ones, good tidings written on red paper, etc.
San Francisco and London have apparently the largest celebrations outside Asia.
Let us celebrate the Chinese New Year with some scenes from the flower markets last weekend in The San Francisco Chinatown – lots of red!
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy, and energetic year of the Rooster!!
First, a beautiful red Rooster from Guangdong, China!
Wishing you abundance every year!
All sorts of Rooster ornaments!
The sound of the mandarin orange in Chinese resembles luck and blessings.
The most popular surnames in China:
Amazing human flexibility and strength!
Some Kung Fu movements!
And sharing this beautiful rainbow photo shot by a neighbour during our stormy weekend!
