The Tree of Horror in Norwegian Woods

From a distance it looks like a tree coated with frost, however it is a tree totally covered by a giant silk web which is made by the spindle ermines. It is my first time to feel the horror power of the moths. It really scares me, as the scene is so bizarre.

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Norwegian Beetles

It is not very cold during August in Norway, but still cockroaches cannot survive in this weather; at least I have not seen any in these few years. Instead, I can find all kinds of little beetles: green, golden, red, polka dots, or stripes, clumsily flying around. Very often, I have to put them back to the bushes myself. All insects, please forgive my brutal behaviour when I was a little kid. I did not understand that I had no right to determine your faiths and lives.

Chalk Graffiti – Kid Style

Always happy to see kids use chalk to draw freely on the ground. Cannot believe what was done in the past is still going on nowadays. Let’s keep it going, let’s keep drawing: using chalk only. Although I have a positive attitude towards the arts of graffiti, it is sad to see too many meaningless, spray-painted ones in the city. They just like ringworm scabies, which are difficult to get rid of, on the walls and wooden doors. You can say I lack of the rebellious spirit of graffiti culture. However, not everyone would appreciate even it is the most beautiful tattoo on earth.

A little bit of Brutalism

To bring new design to old building is always a thankless job. It easily falls into sole innovation which people just despise. That’s why every time I pass by there, I would stop to gaze at the striking building. The texture of brick and geometrical figures form the architecture of Brutalism, the beauty of rigorous cruelty.

What to Eat Now at Ikea

One of the must-do-thing when going to Ikea is to have lunch there. It serves very common Northern European dishes: potato with meatballs or salmon. The annual sales from its restaurants contribute to about 5% of its revenue. I particularly like its Swedish meatballs which are smaller than Norwegian ones, reminding me of the Chinese dim-sum: beefball. With the traditional Lingonberry Jam, Lingonberry Jam，I can eat 16 pieces each time. If not enough, we would buy a bag home.

Salt Mountain

Never seen it before until now. There is a lake near the Spanish town Torrevieja. Near the lake stand several white mountains of salt. They look like snow mountains or piles of white cement. Some are bigger and taller; whereas some are tiny. I’d wonder what happen when it rains; or when someone buried by the salt. Are they really coarse salt crystals? Why did it only cost little for a big bag in the past and a lot for a little bottle now?

Oslo’s “short-legged” Summer

It is very strange that this year’s April is so warm but May is record-breaking cold. Early June, heat wave comes and everybody dress light to welcome the Sun. Suddenly now the temperature has dropped to the 10 degree and has become quite chilly. The best thing is I can still wear my brand new zip-up. The picture is taken from a high-angle, therefore my legs look few inches shorter. Haha, walking to the nearby hillside or valley: Look! This is Oslo’s Summer, a “short-legged” Summer.

The Taste of Mango

Brazilian mangoes are big but tasteless and tough, Thai mangoes are firm and sour. Therefore, I’d rather wait for the beginning of Summer when I can but boxes of Pakistan mangoes which are sweet and juicy. For about 100 Krone, there are about 7 to 8 pieces. I like to cut it into small pieces and eat with curry; or blend with cream to make fruit tart, cake, pudding, ice-cream, etc.

I have dreamt about fruit trees, every now and then, growing on Hong Kong street: leechi, pineapple, apple, etc.  Always crave for those when wake up.  Until recently, I rent a blog about mango tree on Hong Kong street; my dreams are real!  Then I talk to my friends and they all say they have seen fruit trees everywhere on Hong Kong, Kowloon, and the New Territories.  If you know any, please let me know.

Fish Maw Jelly

One must be a fish maw addict to create fish maw jello. Firstly, boil fish maws with crystal sugar, then let it cool down. Secondly, add dried longan and dried Chinese wolfberry into it; and freeze it until becomes jello.This is what my friend told me. And I am an absolute fish maw addict. I have fish maw soup, and fish maw steak. Then, to have healthy skin, I have a bowl of fish maw jello as dessert.

One Dollar Ring

Besides flip tabs, the most common material to be used to make a ring when I was a kid is bank notes. It was very fun. Saw this in Bijules NYC website. Only a USD 1 bank note plus a crystal, with a layer of protective material; and its value will become sky-rocking high. And there are fools in this world, like me, who would buy one.