The illness ‘atypical pneumonia’ has already caused all of Hong Kong people losing a sense of security. You can even hear thousands of rumors in the University. Last night, I was informed that there was a staff who works in Knowles Building has got the illness. My friends and I were quite worried at that moment because we work in Knowles Building day and night. However, we realized that it was just a rumor later. The situation in CU is even worse. My friend do not dare to go back home because she realizes that she is possibly infected and she doesn¡¦t want to infect her family members. My brother’s tutor said that he knows somebody who works in the Examination Authority and it seems that the Authority is considering delaying the A-Level examinations and CE examinations. If it really happens, the candidates will certainly suffer much more.

I hope that the condition will be under control as soon as possible.

There are many things Hong Kong people are doing differently now that the epedemic has set in. People now wash their hands after doing unsanitary activities such as going to the bathroom, shopping and sneezing; People now spit, pick their noses and cough less in public and most significantly, people have begun to wear masks. These masks range from simple surgical/conical masks to higher end gas-masks. The market for these items is huge. Shops have run out of stock in just a few hours and some are charging over $50 for $8 masks to rip the most from customers before they fall ill.

If brand names such as Gucci and Dior begin making designer masks, HK people will flock to them. There is no doubt. Perhaps this is all a conspiracy to force us to purchase masks; perhaps it is a terrorist attack, who knows? Who can tell the difference?

Laputa was produced by Hayao MIYAZAKI, whose ¡§Spirited Away” won the Best Animated Feature Film Academy Award (with Video Clip). Although it was made in the 1980¡¦s but I think it is very good anime (good films do not have time limit). I find one of the songs wonderful. The first time I have heard it was from the piano show my classmate participated when I was in primary 6. I still remember the whole class turning from noisy to completely silent as he played the beautiful melody.

The name of the song is Laputa ¡V [The Girl Who Fell From The Sky.]

It’s confirmed. Hong Kong and neighbouring regions are suffering an epedemic of unholy porportions. Singapore and Hong Kong have cancelled primary and secondary schooling for the duration of March to slow and possibly stop this ‘atypical pneumonia’. As more facts are released, as more people fall from health, more masks are bing sold and less people are out on the streets. The illness is spreading uncontrollably and has also been given a very sad name: SARS.
……

I have 3 midterm examinations this week. These exams are about 2 thirds of the real thing and are held at the most inopportune times. One was held at 08:30 and one was held at 18:30 after 6 hours of no class.

Have you ever noticed that the days seemed longer when you were younger? I certainly do. The reason is because every activity that we used to do took only a while and so, we could fit a lot of activities between getting up and sleeping time. When you are older, a single activity can take hours to complete so we must fit fewer activities into the day. The fewer activities in a day, the faster time flies. Perhaps we worked faster when we were younger. Perhaps the work now is more difficult. Who knows?…

I have been keeping myself politically neutral for a long time, but lately, Mr. Bush has been warmongering. Just today, Mr. Bush gave Mr. Hussein and his sons 2 days to leave Iraq so America ‘and their allies’ could move in smoothly. And many weeks ago, Mr. Bush told Mr. Hussein to disarm and render Iraq defenceless or in Bush’s terms: unable to wage war on other nations. I pose this senario:

Someone who lived opposite you committed robbery on his neighbour and you came to help. Now that ex-robber is put under house arrest, cannot earn any legal income and his relatives also in the same house don’t have enough to eat.
Today, actually since that robbery, you suspect he bought a rifle. What will you do? Will you fire a rocket into his window?

Today, I visited Soho (South of Hollywood Road) some 10 minutes down the escalator to take a few photographs (and reduce fat). Don’t worry, A gallery will pop up sooner or later.

a small set of that night’s shots

I think some of you may have watched this film. I am not going to write a film review here as you can find dozens of professional ones through search engines. What I want to share is the song of this film. I think the lyrics of this song quite fit parts of my situation.

Since I entered the university, I always thought about my future. Everyday I fight hard and leap hurdle after hurdle. However the road seems endless and I feel I cannot control my future. You have to compete with friends; fellows and strangers who stumble across your lives. You are afraid to lose your faith, family, friends, reputations, competitiveness, jobs, properties and life. This is an eternal marathon and only (the) God(s) knows where the destination lies.

¡§If one cannot control his/her own future, s/he may be more susceptible to psychological problems”
- – medical staff describing American soldiers who are preparing for the war in Iraq.

Today, the fourteenth of March, is called White Day in Japan. This is the day when men give women presents in return for their St. Valentine’s Day gifts.
I was in Japan on the White Day last year. There were many shops selling gifts especially designed for White Day and many gentlemen were trying to find the BEST presents for the girls they love. It is really impressive as I thought that Japanese men believed in male chauvinism. Anyway, it’s good to show someone special how much you care on this special day. ^0^”