Wanderlust of a literati scholar with a guqin on his back riding on his BMW

Gifted this picture (Scholar with a GuQin on his back riding a horse) which I anyhow doodled, to a Singaporean Professor who was one of my lecturers when I was studying for my PhD in Monash University. He has migrated to Australia and now teaches in University of Melbourne. It takes courage to venture overseas, and I admire that daring spirit. *smile*
This picture symbolizes the 'wanderlust of a literati.' My daughter asked me, 'Why is the horse so fat?' to which I wryly quipped, 'It is a 飽馬 bao ma (meaning 'full-stomached horse' which also sounds like 寶馬 bao ma 'treasure horse' which is what BMW is called in the Chinese-speaking world).' hahahaha *smile* (sorry, bad pun! hehe)

Singapore guqin performance by Maestro Gong Yi from PRC

Gong Yi Guqin Recital

25 Sep 2015 : 7.30pm 

26 Sep 2015 : 3pm

Venue: Esplanade Recital Studio

Tickets can be purchased at https://www.esplanade.com/festivals-and-series/moonfest-a-mid-autumn-celebration/2015/gong-yi-guqin-recital?FestivalNames=moonfest-a-mid-autumn-celebration&Start=20150703

Well, I don't know yet if I'd be going to his recitals, as I am not sure if I can make it at those two time slots due to work commitments. If you happen to see a wild-eyed crazy guy wearing a bowtie in the audience, that's most probably me. Please say hi to me! I promise to look around me in bewilderment, gesture "Who me?!" and then wave back at you. *smile*

Strengthening my guqin playing fingers using pull-ups

I used to have urges to seek out the loudest guqin silk strings or the loudest, best sounding guqin. Now I have flipped that the other way round. Instead of being a bad workman who blames his tools, I should just strengthen my fingers. That's right. I should tune up myself for the guqin instead. One of the ways of strengthening my fingers is to do pull-ups. Rock climbers also do that to strengthen their fingers. But there was a problem. One year ago in the previous Chinese New Year 2014, I was morbidly obese. I could do zero pull-ups. Now, one year later, I can finally do some pull-ups. My only regret was not starting to lose weight earlier. What a difference a year makes! Feeling tired? Instead of reaching for that starchy/oily food, or alcoholic beverage, or cigarette, do some exercises like push-ups, squats, or pull-ups. Exercising is fun! hahaha I also figured that if I want to use guqin playing for so-called "self-development," it would be downright ironic and hypocritical of me if I continue to neglect my health and indulge in sugary/starchy/oily unhealthy foods. hahaha (laughing at my silly self)

Happy 2015

Here's wishing you a very Happy 2015, and a Superb Lunar Chinese New Year! Keep Calm and sip hot chocolate in hipster cafes! I was in this particular nostalgia-themed cafe in Singapore's Lorong Kilat called Carpenter and Cook. Typewriters are sold there! I feel that hipster cafes might be best enjoyed being immersed in the ambience with the smartphone switched off, just like when I play the guqin. Smartphone switched off. Ironic, I doth concede, since my smartphone was used to take these pictures. hahaha