Stamps...

"Make sure to have enough postage "...
"Mail it, why?"
"Can't find a mail box"
"Make sure you email to me, no better yet just text me."

Stamps, to most people, are something they almost cannot relate to. Honestly, when was the last time I mailed something out. However, I still love stamps, especially the old ones with a mail chop on it. With this in mind, I have decided to send a note to someone, somewhere each week.

My passion for stamp collecting started at a very young age. I remember I was about eight years old, with tremendous curiosity and love for almost everything around me - except for piano practice and porridge for breakfast. Being the youngest, you would think I would have had everybody's attention. Not quite, since all my siblings were at least ten years older than me and were busy with their school work. My time was mainly spent among my late parents and my nanny. My memories about them are very clear.

Mom, a principal, was all about discipline and responsibility; how to have a good posture, how to study, and to never eat on the street.

Nanny was the most important person in my life other than my late parents. We may not be related, yet she was like a grandma to me. She took care of my well being, from breakfast to dinner ( She would put an poached egg at the bottom of my porridge every morning so I would finish it before my Mom asked any questions).

Dad, he was my best friend, the only man I have ever loved whole heartedly other than Kinny, my husband. He showed me all kinds of toys and hobbies, from sword to tea sets. Once a week he would take up the responsibility to pick up items from the pharmacy, with me tagging along. That was when I began to see a lot of Hong Kong. We tried all kinds of food that Mom would say no to. (He would secretly eat on the streets with me.)

Dad also passed on his favourite hobby to me. He loved collecting stamps, and he taught me how to prepare them with care. After all these years, I still love to collect stamps. I find the used ones are so much more meaningful. They embrace culture, art, history, feelings, emotions... Now at the age of 56, I've started to fall in love with my past in Hong Kong again. The tram, ferries, foods, markets... all these are episodes of my childhood. To illustrate all these memories and feelings through pencil crayons and a stamp about old Hong Kong are the passion I wish to share with everyone at this point of my life. It is a blessing if my passion can touch someone's heart.

Colourful pencil crayons and stamps allow me to be on the bright side.

May 29, 2015  

Stamp Art

Looking back at childhood memories in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong. Victoria Park is where I spent every Sunday morning with my dad and his tennis buddy; I was their ball-girl. It may not be a Grand Stand, yet to me, dad was as good as Agassi or Federer. These were very precious moments.

           Memories of Hong Kong - old neon sign, dried sea food and traditional wedding pastries remind me of west side of Hong Kong island.

 

I was born in Hong Kong when we still live on Canton Street, Kowloon. Ferry between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon was my favourite form of transportation. Red-bean with ice cream and luncheon meat with fried egg and instant noodle was always my favourite choice.

Hong Kong Peak had the best view of the whole Victoria Harbour. My memories were clearly with the restaurant. It was a treat when my parents took me there for high tea. 

Every morning...

"Art  has no limit or boundary when you are given a blank piece of paper or a canvas just finished with a wash of gesso. Your passion for art should start to flow through every blood vessel and when it comes to what to draw, it should be your true feelings at that very moment; the sky is the limit." I learned this from my late mother when she taught me how to draw my first picture of Cinderella in her blue dress. Back then, my three favourite things, among others, were princesses, pencil crayons and eggs(over easy), lots of them.

Now, ten days to 2015, at the age of fifty - five, they are still my favourites. Today, I can say 

I am very blessed because I can still create art with my pencil crayons and enjoy the egg on toast prepared by my husband, Kinny, everyday. By the same token I know I have always been my mom's princess, and I keep her's and my father's blessing with me everyday.  

I treasure everything that they have taught me.

I will never stop my passion for putting simple and beautiful things around me on paper. 

As long as I can start my day with a smile to Kinny, my daily prayers and reading of the Bible, and carry on my day with tea and pencil crayons, I am happy. This is more than enough in life. This is what I live for.

Colourful pencil crayons allow me to be on the bright side.

December 21, 2014

Pin cushion, memories of my mother sewing 

Instant noodle, perfect snack for watching TV or on a cool rainy afternoon.

White Rabbit Milk Candy, a treat from my dad 

In my early childhood, I loved going to the market with my nanny everyday, despite the unique smell. There was so much to see from vendor to vendor. The groceries were wrapped in newspaper to take home. This is in memory of my late nanny Ms Lau King. She was as close as a mother to me. 

Pork Belly, perfect for Red-cooked Pork. All the girls in our family know how to prepare it.