Wednesday 30 April 2008
Miss Austen Regret
Miss Austen Regret, a legendary English novelist written master pieces such as Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensitivity etc.
A fantastic drama displayed by BBC iplayer recently, Miss Austen Regret attract many eye-balls.
Fascinating Scripting
The traditionally elegent European costume from late 18 century, together with beautiful language, accompanyed by the emotional and passionate piano music, all of these elements describe us Lady Austen Regrets.
"Everyone should have the chance to marry love for once", "girls in 20s are so desperate in love","far too many beautiful young man here, Fany, how can you possibly choose one?"
I was surprised by these expressions to describe love. I can't believe that how Miss Austen Regrets stand by her own these years, to write down her true feelings in the novel, and shaped such a character as Mr. Dancing.
Up to date she will still shaking when meeting the man whom she loved before -- the original of Mr. Dancing -- Mr. Broke.
As herself proudly told her niece when she was young, she opened the dance at rather grand ball with Mr. Broke.
Love, is such a magical human nature.
A fantastic drama displayed by BBC iplayer recently, Miss Austen Regret attract many eye-balls.
Fascinating Scripting
The traditionally elegent European costume from late 18 century, together with beautiful language, accompanyed by the emotional and passionate piano music, all of these elements describe us Lady Austen Regrets.
"Everyone should have the chance to marry love for once", "girls in 20s are so desperate in love","far too many beautiful young man here, Fany, how can you possibly choose one?"
I was surprised by these expressions to describe love. I can't believe that how Miss Austen Regrets stand by her own these years, to write down her true feelings in the novel, and shaped such a character as Mr. Dancing.
Up to date she will still shaking when meeting the man whom she loved before -- the original of Mr. Dancing -- Mr. Broke.
As herself proudly told her niece when she was young, she opened the dance at rather grand ball with Mr. Broke.
Love, is such a magical human nature.
Austrian Man Confess 24 Years Guilt
A disgusting story happened in one of the richest Europe country Austria. Josef Fritzl, a man locked her own daughter Elizabeth in the underground dungeon, and sexually abused her for 24 years!
And Elizabeth is giving birth for 7 of her father's children during these years, however, nobody knows, Austria media is sleeping and Josef's neighbours aren't suspect anything at all.
What the story is about?
Josef is described as a person who is leading his double sex life perfectly according to Austrian media. Initially he's not willing to talk anything, after he opened the iron door (he is an electric engineer), he started to explain in details.
Out world never imagine that here, the underground dungeon is prisoning Josef's sexual slave, and the dungeon-liked celler is covered by dawn and wild flowers, he managed to kept Elizabeth and her three children in the small celler, which only include a tiny bed room and a small bathroom.
Elizabeth has 7 children, one is died after born for 3 days, and was burned by Josef afterwards, other three are found on the doorstep with Elizabath's note to sayg taking care of these children. The rest if the children are kept with herself.
Neighbours are never suspecting the family, they just feel the family is strange, but nothing much, however they do feel strange that the down and flowers are coved almost only in one night deliverd by Josef.
Why happened in Austria?
"Austria's house of horror" raise an hot debate that why happend in Austria? why not in England, France, Germany or somewhere else?
According to the guardian, Austria is described as the richest and self-satisfied society, and people are questioning how can such a awful case didn't discovered by Austria media and people.
And the outside world are also shocked by such an notorious incident, which Austrians should ask themselves what is fundamentally going wrong with Austrian society?
And Elizabeth is giving birth for 7 of her father's children during these years, however, nobody knows, Austria media is sleeping and Josef's neighbours aren't suspect anything at all.
What the story is about?
Josef is described as a person who is leading his double sex life perfectly according to Austrian media. Initially he's not willing to talk anything, after he opened the iron door (he is an electric engineer), he started to explain in details.
Out world never imagine that here, the underground dungeon is prisoning Josef's sexual slave, and the dungeon-liked celler is covered by dawn and wild flowers, he managed to kept Elizabeth and her three children in the small celler, which only include a tiny bed room and a small bathroom.
Elizabeth has 7 children, one is died after born for 3 days, and was burned by Josef afterwards, other three are found on the doorstep with Elizabath's note to sayg taking care of these children. The rest if the children are kept with herself.
Neighbours are never suspecting the family, they just feel the family is strange, but nothing much, however they do feel strange that the down and flowers are coved almost only in one night deliverd by Josef.
Why happened in Austria?
"Austria's house of horror" raise an hot debate that why happend in Austria? why not in England, France, Germany or somewhere else?
According to the guardian, Austria is described as the richest and self-satisfied society, and people are questioning how can such a awful case didn't discovered by Austria media and people.
And the outside world are also shocked by such an notorious incident, which Austrians should ask themselves what is fundamentally going wrong with Austrian society?
Monday 28 April 2008
Web Design Inspiration
Online final project is already on the coner, each individual need to produce a website which including different sessions, such as news, features, multimedia, blog, visual C.V. and contact.
Learning from scratch
I might take the risk! strictly speaking, I have no previous experience of web design, what I have is the desktop publising course from Uni. Malta which enables me own intermediate level understanding of graphic design, start from that point of time, Photoshop, Indesign, and Pakemaker begins make sense to me.
This year's course allows me own more understanding of using different programmes, such as final cut, cool editing etc, then dreamweavers 8 and flash.
The same, as Photoshop, and Indesign, start learning it from scrach. I have to say that there might be some percentage of risk, but,a big but here if I literally try to avoid it, there will never be a start to learn it!
This year's course is really an eye-opener for me, no matter from TV or Radio or Online, any perspective owns its particular triats, but all of them require technique skills.
Have a look of my blog, three weeks ago, only texts and a few pictures displayed on my sidebar, what does it mean? I think the most curcial point here is not how to paste the code into the sidebar.
How to change the video size in order to fit the sidebar, the crucial point is I need to try new things. If you're going to try, there might some positive outcome, if not, there's nothing to happen.
Be calm and enthusiastic in the meantime, be creative and professional in the meantime, I have come to another opportunity -- my knowledge opportunity -- web design.
Learning from scratch
I might take the risk! strictly speaking, I have no previous experience of web design, what I have is the desktop publising course from Uni. Malta which enables me own intermediate level understanding of graphic design, start from that point of time, Photoshop, Indesign, and Pakemaker begins make sense to me.
This year's course allows me own more understanding of using different programmes, such as final cut, cool editing etc, then dreamweavers 8 and flash.
The same, as Photoshop, and Indesign, start learning it from scrach. I have to say that there might be some percentage of risk, but,a big but here if I literally try to avoid it, there will never be a start to learn it!
This year's course is really an eye-opener for me, no matter from TV or Radio or Online, any perspective owns its particular triats, but all of them require technique skills.
Have a look of my blog, three weeks ago, only texts and a few pictures displayed on my sidebar, what does it mean? I think the most curcial point here is not how to paste the code into the sidebar.
How to change the video size in order to fit the sidebar, the crucial point is I need to try new things. If you're going to try, there might some positive outcome, if not, there's nothing to happen.
Be calm and enthusiastic in the meantime, be creative and professional in the meantime, I have come to another opportunity -- my knowledge opportunity -- web design.
Saturday 26 April 2008
Radio Feature/Documetary Making Review
This article together with TV documentary making review are my learning report, which I learnt from the scratch.
Second semester’s radio learning leave us more spaces to create, we are producing much longer piece than first semester’s broadcasting news, I really enjoy making feature and documentaries, as well listening various radio programmes gives me the broader perspective of how to make a wealth story.
I normally keep listening radio 4’s programmes, from feature programme such as women’s hour to current affairs. Very recently, a handful of big events are happening around the globe, such as 10p income tax abolition; Zimbabwe’s presidential election debate; China’s ship was refused to upload in South Africa, which is supposed to send to Zimbabwe, and seems other African leaders are also very unsatisfied to see these weapons been used by Mugabe to attack its people. Olympic torch relay crisis related with just yesterday’s news that China is willing to open the official talk with Dalai Lama; last week Gordon Brown visited US and call for new cooperation between EU and US; US is suspecting North Korean which assists Syria to build up nuclear reactor, London mayoral election etc.
All of these news are repeatedly broadcasted in various current affairs programmes on BBC Radio 4, besides every hour’s news headlines, Robin Lustig’s World Tonight, Eddie’s PM, weekdays the News at One. Comparing with these three programmes, I found Eddie’s PM using more treatment than World Tonight, for instance, the same reporting on the news story 10p income tax abolition, PM reporting from the experts panel debates (three experts plus the presentor) to the real people’s voice, such as the representative of pensioners who are under 65 and the young people without children, seems PM utilise more feature traits, and have more analysis, whereas from Robin’s World Tonight, the programme is more limited within the individual expert interviewee to explain what is going on from the same story.
As well, I found PM is more focus on domestic news story rather than from the globe, whereas World Tonight is reporting from London Mayoral Election to UN urges US to end its trade embargo on Cuba, from Kenya’s new coalition government formed by the newly joint Prime Minister Raila Odinga to Gaza food aid crisis which caused by no fuel distribution, seems World Tonight is more focus on global issues.
Other programmes related with culture, religion, ethics, arts, drama are fascinating as well, last Tuesday I listened a religion programme “Could I Stop Being a Muslim”? The programme’s characters are so powerful that the producer found very typical Muslim family, how they treat their so-called apostate children, who are questioning could I stop being a Muslim? And the main campaign figure Shiraz Maher asks whether the death penalty (those people who dare to leave Islam behind will be executed death penalty) is really justified to punish these people?
The programme totally lasts 40 minutes, including a wide range of experts, Muslim families, dramatizing elements (typing keyboard sound), actuality, etc. the programme at some time, even fade out the expert’s voice at a very low level (fade out first then stop, keep the sound very low as the background) and put presentor’s vocice-over above it, just create an atmosphere that this is the expert’s opinion. I think this is very good because there must be a necessity to re-scripting the expert’s answer, either too long or difficult to edit, and replace by voice over should be a better way to avoid these problems, and better delivering the meaning.
Other programmes such as women’s hours are more relaxed, very feature character driven, however, if want to learn more about society, want to learn more about what happened in the world. Current affairs and religion and ethics programmes will help more.
During radio feature/documentary making, I learnt most is from my partners, we did two feature making, I learnt some technique skills from Kheira, such as recording sound using Cool Editing etc. I found myself benefit mostly from working with Kheira and Daria is their western mentality to make radio programme, more specifically is how to connect these ideas and how to script.
Their language tend to be very flourishing and the approach of connecting ideas are so flexible and various, could say the first feature I did with Kheira on children’s reading habits is an eye-opener for me, I like the way she suggested to script, though maybe still a lot of things need to be improved, it is natural and readable, just like the interesting conversation between people, I think to be natural is very important, and good connection between different ideas are essential for script writing.
For the final radio documentary making, I realised afterwards that maybe some sentences of the script I wrote is a little bit repeating what the interviewee is saying. Maybe this is a problem. I try to keep the script living and vivid, and try to connect the ideas in a flow, be natural and easily understandable.
For both TV/Radio programme making, we all need to bear in mind that what kind of audience the programme is to be broadcasted, otherwise the content might go into improper track.
Second semester’s radio learning leave us more spaces to create, we are producing much longer piece than first semester’s broadcasting news, I really enjoy making feature and documentaries, as well listening various radio programmes gives me the broader perspective of how to make a wealth story.
I normally keep listening radio 4’s programmes, from feature programme such as women’s hour to current affairs. Very recently, a handful of big events are happening around the globe, such as 10p income tax abolition; Zimbabwe’s presidential election debate; China’s ship was refused to upload in South Africa, which is supposed to send to Zimbabwe, and seems other African leaders are also very unsatisfied to see these weapons been used by Mugabe to attack its people. Olympic torch relay crisis related with just yesterday’s news that China is willing to open the official talk with Dalai Lama; last week Gordon Brown visited US and call for new cooperation between EU and US; US is suspecting North Korean which assists Syria to build up nuclear reactor, London mayoral election etc.
All of these news are repeatedly broadcasted in various current affairs programmes on BBC Radio 4, besides every hour’s news headlines, Robin Lustig’s World Tonight, Eddie’s PM, weekdays the News at One. Comparing with these three programmes, I found Eddie’s PM using more treatment than World Tonight, for instance, the same reporting on the news story 10p income tax abolition, PM reporting from the experts panel debates (three experts plus the presentor) to the real people’s voice, such as the representative of pensioners who are under 65 and the young people without children, seems PM utilise more feature traits, and have more analysis, whereas from Robin’s World Tonight, the programme is more limited within the individual expert interviewee to explain what is going on from the same story.
As well, I found PM is more focus on domestic news story rather than from the globe, whereas World Tonight is reporting from London Mayoral Election to UN urges US to end its trade embargo on Cuba, from Kenya’s new coalition government formed by the newly joint Prime Minister Raila Odinga to Gaza food aid crisis which caused by no fuel distribution, seems World Tonight is more focus on global issues.
Other programmes related with culture, religion, ethics, arts, drama are fascinating as well, last Tuesday I listened a religion programme “Could I Stop Being a Muslim”? The programme’s characters are so powerful that the producer found very typical Muslim family, how they treat their so-called apostate children, who are questioning could I stop being a Muslim? And the main campaign figure Shiraz Maher asks whether the death penalty (those people who dare to leave Islam behind will be executed death penalty) is really justified to punish these people?
The programme totally lasts 40 minutes, including a wide range of experts, Muslim families, dramatizing elements (typing keyboard sound), actuality, etc. the programme at some time, even fade out the expert’s voice at a very low level (fade out first then stop, keep the sound very low as the background) and put presentor’s vocice-over above it, just create an atmosphere that this is the expert’s opinion. I think this is very good because there must be a necessity to re-scripting the expert’s answer, either too long or difficult to edit, and replace by voice over should be a better way to avoid these problems, and better delivering the meaning.
Other programmes such as women’s hours are more relaxed, very feature character driven, however, if want to learn more about society, want to learn more about what happened in the world. Current affairs and religion and ethics programmes will help more.
During radio feature/documentary making, I learnt most is from my partners, we did two feature making, I learnt some technique skills from Kheira, such as recording sound using Cool Editing etc. I found myself benefit mostly from working with Kheira and Daria is their western mentality to make radio programme, more specifically is how to connect these ideas and how to script.
Their language tend to be very flourishing and the approach of connecting ideas are so flexible and various, could say the first feature I did with Kheira on children’s reading habits is an eye-opener for me, I like the way she suggested to script, though maybe still a lot of things need to be improved, it is natural and readable, just like the interesting conversation between people, I think to be natural is very important, and good connection between different ideas are essential for script writing.
For the final radio documentary making, I realised afterwards that maybe some sentences of the script I wrote is a little bit repeating what the interviewee is saying. Maybe this is a problem. I try to keep the script living and vivid, and try to connect the ideas in a flow, be natural and easily understandable.
For both TV/Radio programme making, we all need to bear in mind that what kind of audience the programme is to be broadcasted, otherwise the content might go into improper track.
TV Documentary Making Review
This article together with Radio Learning Review is my learning report, which I learnt from scratch of RV/Radio feature/documentary making.
A year practical course on TV and Radio allows me understand many TV/Radio news/feature/document making skills, and plenty of techniques. It is a very useful course because it enables us to gain first hand experience of TV/Radio programme making. Every story we’re starting from scratch, and have gone through research, pitch the story, doing interviews, vox pops, filming, writing script, editing, using different treatment these processes etc.
TV Documentary Making
Working with a group for the TV Documentary taught me lots of things, we are literally learning how to hold video cam, how to use video cam, how to shoot. During the session, I understand that the basic shots should be wild shot, middle shot, and close up, and every shot should last 3 seconds, otherwise it will be too quick for audience to watch. During filming, no pans, no rooms, and no dirty short.
Different shot are indicating different meaning, for example close up indicates power, indicates the importance, wild shot is a geographic idea, gives people rough idea of the scene. Shot cut should elaborate the character, should as part of the background of the character which is been filming.
We need to practise hand-held as well, because practically some of the places it is impossible to use tripod, for instance, the opening scene of our documentary China Generation Next (with yinwang, luyang), we are filming inside the Chinese parade, and we have to move alongside with the parade. As well, for tracking people on streets hand held is essential.
For adjusting the camera, we need to make sure white balance, spot metre, no explosure, as well checking the status check to make sure sound quality, becareful not to loosing focus etc.
As a TV journalist, we cannot be afraid of camera, as well we cannot be afraid of going close to people and filming them. In fact, psychologically people are loving be on TV, they find it a different experience, and in the meantime, they get nervous easily, so we are the people to make sure these characters on TV looks relaxed and be natural.
Along the TV learning going on, I gradually understand more that how to make a story vibrant, a fascinating story should possess the following elements, human interest, conflict, treatment, accessibility, talent.
Particually, attractive story should have movement normally, let the characters to tell the story, very recently I watched a 60 minutes documentary from BBC iPlayer entitled Chinese School – the Young Pioneer. I found the story very interesting, not only because I’m Chinese and I literally understand what kind of picture the story intends to portray, but also because the whole story is formed by a series of stories which is driving by movement that the character lead, and I just feel the story telling is flowing and vibrant.
But in some special case, the story doesn’t have movement, even doesn’t have voice over, the whole story is purely interviewees driven, which I watched very recently as well, the story is on how teenagers are caring about their physical appearance. So I think the some exceptions are still existable.
Teamwork is essential for TV documentary making, TV makers should love people, should know how to deal with his/her buddies. Friendly and harmonious atmosphere will positively influence teamwork. To achieve friendliness and solidarity within a team, good communication, tolerance and understanding are essential.
From our documentary making process, I realise that we should write the script first, then matching with the images, if the other way round, will be much difficult. For script writing, I come to learn that the sentence which connecting the former and the latter ideas are extremely important, because it is a time to guide audience where we are, and this script writing technique is even more important for radio, because radio is entirely depending on the words to guide listeners.
From editing point of view, I feel much more familiar with Final Cut in the second semester, especially besides editing documentary, I also got some chances to edit the video podcast for the website, I come to learn using colour correction to change the unsatisfied colours, key frame to edit the movement of pictures, technically I feel much better than first semester.
A year practical course on TV and Radio allows me understand many TV/Radio news/feature/document making skills, and plenty of techniques. It is a very useful course because it enables us to gain first hand experience of TV/Radio programme making. Every story we’re starting from scratch, and have gone through research, pitch the story, doing interviews, vox pops, filming, writing script, editing, using different treatment these processes etc.
TV Documentary Making
Working with a group for the TV Documentary taught me lots of things, we are literally learning how to hold video cam, how to use video cam, how to shoot. During the session, I understand that the basic shots should be wild shot, middle shot, and close up, and every shot should last 3 seconds, otherwise it will be too quick for audience to watch. During filming, no pans, no rooms, and no dirty short.
Different shot are indicating different meaning, for example close up indicates power, indicates the importance, wild shot is a geographic idea, gives people rough idea of the scene. Shot cut should elaborate the character, should as part of the background of the character which is been filming.
We need to practise hand-held as well, because practically some of the places it is impossible to use tripod, for instance, the opening scene of our documentary China Generation Next (with yinwang, luyang), we are filming inside the Chinese parade, and we have to move alongside with the parade. As well, for tracking people on streets hand held is essential.
For adjusting the camera, we need to make sure white balance, spot metre, no explosure, as well checking the status check to make sure sound quality, becareful not to loosing focus etc.
As a TV journalist, we cannot be afraid of camera, as well we cannot be afraid of going close to people and filming them. In fact, psychologically people are loving be on TV, they find it a different experience, and in the meantime, they get nervous easily, so we are the people to make sure these characters on TV looks relaxed and be natural.
Along the TV learning going on, I gradually understand more that how to make a story vibrant, a fascinating story should possess the following elements, human interest, conflict, treatment, accessibility, talent.
Particually, attractive story should have movement normally, let the characters to tell the story, very recently I watched a 60 minutes documentary from BBC iPlayer entitled Chinese School – the Young Pioneer. I found the story very interesting, not only because I’m Chinese and I literally understand what kind of picture the story intends to portray, but also because the whole story is formed by a series of stories which is driving by movement that the character lead, and I just feel the story telling is flowing and vibrant.
But in some special case, the story doesn’t have movement, even doesn’t have voice over, the whole story is purely interviewees driven, which I watched very recently as well, the story is on how teenagers are caring about their physical appearance. So I think the some exceptions are still existable.
Teamwork is essential for TV documentary making, TV makers should love people, should know how to deal with his/her buddies. Friendly and harmonious atmosphere will positively influence teamwork. To achieve friendliness and solidarity within a team, good communication, tolerance and understanding are essential.
From our documentary making process, I realise that we should write the script first, then matching with the images, if the other way round, will be much difficult. For script writing, I come to learn that the sentence which connecting the former and the latter ideas are extremely important, because it is a time to guide audience where we are, and this script writing technique is even more important for radio, because radio is entirely depending on the words to guide listeners.
From editing point of view, I feel much more familiar with Final Cut in the second semester, especially besides editing documentary, I also got some chances to edit the video podcast for the website, I come to learn using colour correction to change the unsatisfied colours, key frame to edit the movement of pictures, technically I feel much better than first semester.
Thursday 24 April 2008
China Generation Next
China, the rising dragon’s attracting world’s attention, the 21st cencury’s considered as the Golden Age of China. Plenty of Chinese’re going abroad & studying in the prestigious universities, such as LSE, Imperial.
British Born Chinese, another shinning spot among the Chinese who’re search better life abroad.
We’re asking do they leave their cultural identity behind? Do they keep their emotional feeling of getting close touch as Chinese?
Produced by:
Yinwang, luyang & Yixiang Zeng
Experience Mediterranean Pearl – Malta
This article is a piece for my travel journalism module from Uni. Westminster.
But I also wish to dedicate it to all of my Maltese friends, for the beautiful time I have spent there, as well for the kindly people I have shared my laughters with.
Have you ever asked yourself how are you going to spend your upcoming summer holiday? Just staying with old friends, hanging out to the park near your home, and unchangeably drinking your local beer? That is surely not interesting enough!
Why not go to a place that you can enjoy the typical Mediterranean summer Feast, taste the exotic Fenek, Timpana, and drink the cisk, learning a foreign language in one of the Language centers, experience the August Golden Bay Barbeque, and live as locals in the farmhouse?
If sounds interesting to you, then a good news for you!
Malta, such a small place surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea will be the ideal place for you to spend your summer holiday! It is just an archipelago of islands located at southern Europe, more specifically 90 km south of Sicily (Italy), and 290 km from the northern coast of Africa, the nearest African country is Tunisia. The Maltese islands are the most southerly European country.
Along walking on the seaside of golden Bay, probably you will be surprised with the relaxed atmosphere, and the friendly interaction between human beings and nature. Just overlook ahead, you will find that it is so difficult to identify where is the cloud and where is the water, they are mixed with each other, overlapping and merging. Lying down on the beach, the tide sound mixed with wind seems welcome tourists like you from all over the world.
Wait, if you think coming to Golden Bay just for swimming and enjoying the Mediterranean weather, that is surely not enough! Be preparing yourself to have an enjoyable and tasty barbeque.
Every August, Golden Bay is organising summer barbeque party that more than a thousand people can attend, only around 7 sterling you can have plenty of Maltese sausages, baked tomatoes, potatoes etc and the lovely fruit desert!
The local bands, such as Rising Sunset, Maltese Pride will perform throughout the whole party, you will be surprising by their stunning performance and the pure excitement that truly reflected the energetic mood of the audiences.
After enjoying the sandy beach, better reward yourself a cup of Cisk Lager or Hop Leaf in Paceville – the famous Maltese night clubs town.
Paceville is a suburb area of St Julian’s, which located on North-East Peninsular of Maltese island. It is a place full of vibrant, energetic and lively music.
August’s Paceville is more interesting and entertaining. You will see a lot of European youngsters celebrating their summer holiday there, the hospitable DJ is delightfully announcing: Welcome all of you, my dear friends. Oh, we have Polish friends here, Romanian friends, Hungarian friends, Austrains, Germany, French…Guided by the enthusiastic DJ, people are dancing rhythmically and joyfully along with jazz, rock etc pop music, the excitement is obvious and continuously throughout the whole night!
Different nightclubs have various styles, if you want to dance with a group and guided by the DJ, Furgo is the best choice; if you want to dance individually and enjoy more personalized style, Empire, Bamboo, Harvana can all satisfy your interest.
The Alley bar is the oldest bar among all of the other bars in Paceville, Maltese all love it, it is even more popular during summers, because the special theme nights are organized, such as beer night, live band are performed during the summer in the bar as well.
Got yourself a bit drunk with the cool sea breeze touching your face, it is unbelievable enjoyment and feeling which could lead you plan tomorrow’s Paceivelle fun hunting.
Beer, rock music, sandy beach, barbeque, Mediterranean weather, are there anything else you can enjoy? Of course, as a tourist visits Malta, obviously you are going to visit the capital city Valletta, the old city Mdina, the Mosta Dome situated in the middle heart of Malta, and Slima, the most posh area in Malta.
However, if you do want to experience something different, no wonder Marsaxslokk is a place that full of traditional Maltese feature, and every tourist is curious about it. Why not visit Marshxslokk in an afternoon and experience the exotic Mediterranean romance?
August’s Marsaxslokk will bring you lots of surprise, in this traditional fishing village, which located in the south-eastern part of Malta, you will see lots of traditional Maltese eyed boats, which mainly pictured in the various calendars and souvenirs.
Marsaxslokk markets in summer are much busier than the rest of the year, just because hawkers have more different kinds of fish to sell, such as Swordfish, Tuna, and the most popular Lampuki are caught in abundance between late autumn and throughout the whole summer. If you are keen on tasting delicious fish, plenty of fish restaurants have opened to meet the sever-increasing demand.
Drive Inn Restaurant is just around the corner along the main street of Marsaxslokk, it is a family restaurant runned by a pure Maltese Michael and his wife. Michael is also the cook, and specialising in fish dishes.
He is so friendly and enthusiastic trying to accommodate your individual requirement, for instance, when you are trying the fresh crab, which will be caught at the same day, you could ask for a extra table set all of the side dishes, and a special crab outlary.
Accompanying the deslicous food with the locally produced red, white, or rose wine, such as Marsovin or Lachryma Vitis, you will never forget the wonderful moment, and almostly probably already prepare yourself go back to the restaurant next day again!
Malta is such a multi-cultural place and mixed with different languages, Maltese are so pround of “showing off” their lative English and fluent Italian, if you are ever fed up with all of these eating out and fun-making, and expecting to experience some spiritual enhancement, why not go for a couple of languages lessons in the cool breeze morning!
Plenty of high quality and well-organised language schools, such as EC, ESE, Bilingual School, GEOS, or Chamber College of Commerce etc all provide you various levels of language teachings, from beginner to advanced level, from a group of students class to individual tutorials.
Normally the language class will start from 9:00 a.m. and finishes at 12:30p.m., the minimum course duration will be 5 week days, up to couple of months or a year as you want. All of the schools are offering English language teaching, most of them are providing Spanish and French as well.
Since Malta is an archipelago of islands, tourists are also curious about her sister island Gozo and Comino. The interesting thing to be aware is during the coolest summer every year, most probably you will find more tourists like you rather than the local Maltese in the main island Malta, so where are the local Maltese then? Surprised right?
Let me first make it clear that they are not the people who are living in the cave or inside the tree trunk, in fact most of the Maltese moved their whole family to live in Gozo during the summer holiday, this is the reason you find more tourists than Maltese in the island of Malta.
Bring yourself to Gozo, not for visiting the Parish Church of the Immaculate Conception, also not for appreciating the Azure Window in this tiny island, forget all of the tourists attraction places, just for gaining first hand experience of being a local Maltese! Interesting enough, isn't it?
You could easily find a farmhouse to rent in Gozo, they are all well decorated, and the materials of house construction are the traditional Maltese stone, the house owners provide all family facilities, the rent days start from 1 day up to couple of weeks or whatever you want.
The exciting thing is every farmhouse has its own mini swimming pool, so you could easily stay in your house, but experience the friendly interaction with Mediterranean weather and clean water.
Gozo feast is a spectacular event that tourists cannot miss it. It happens frequently during summer holiday since each village has its own Saint, every local Gozotan is celebrating the Saint that belongs to his/her village. It seems becoming kind of competition, and the villages are trying to compete with each other. You can easily find out the crazy young Gozotans are screaming, and blowing the whistle in the street along the marching parade. Fireworks, traditional dancing, local bands are all mixing with each other, probably it is the best way for Gozotans to express their exciting and delightful mood!
Getting there
Prestige Holidays offers the whole package of visiting Malta and her sister island Gozo, on the whole cost £1,750, including flight by British Airway, hotels, breakfast, farmhouses, excursions, and all the admission. Not include: travel insurance, single room supplement £250. http://www.prestigeholidays.co.uk/malta
Where to Stay
Corinthia Palace, Hilton Malta, Hotel Phoenicia are all ready to welcome your visit, you can choose anyone you like, we will tailor-made to satisfy your need. http://www.prestigeholidays.co.uk/malta
Where to Eat
We will eat breakfast at the hotel you have booked already (all of the choices are provided in our website above), not including lunch and dinner.
But I also wish to dedicate it to all of my Maltese friends, for the beautiful time I have spent there, as well for the kindly people I have shared my laughters with.
Have you ever asked yourself how are you going to spend your upcoming summer holiday? Just staying with old friends, hanging out to the park near your home, and unchangeably drinking your local beer? That is surely not interesting enough!
Why not go to a place that you can enjoy the typical Mediterranean summer Feast, taste the exotic Fenek, Timpana, and drink the cisk, learning a foreign language in one of the Language centers, experience the August Golden Bay Barbeque, and live as locals in the farmhouse?
If sounds interesting to you, then a good news for you!
Malta, such a small place surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea will be the ideal place for you to spend your summer holiday! It is just an archipelago of islands located at southern Europe, more specifically 90 km south of Sicily (Italy), and 290 km from the northern coast of Africa, the nearest African country is Tunisia. The Maltese islands are the most southerly European country.
Along walking on the seaside of golden Bay, probably you will be surprised with the relaxed atmosphere, and the friendly interaction between human beings and nature. Just overlook ahead, you will find that it is so difficult to identify where is the cloud and where is the water, they are mixed with each other, overlapping and merging. Lying down on the beach, the tide sound mixed with wind seems welcome tourists like you from all over the world.
Wait, if you think coming to Golden Bay just for swimming and enjoying the Mediterranean weather, that is surely not enough! Be preparing yourself to have an enjoyable and tasty barbeque.
Every August, Golden Bay is organising summer barbeque party that more than a thousand people can attend, only around 7 sterling you can have plenty of Maltese sausages, baked tomatoes, potatoes etc and the lovely fruit desert!
The local bands, such as Rising Sunset, Maltese Pride will perform throughout the whole party, you will be surprising by their stunning performance and the pure excitement that truly reflected the energetic mood of the audiences.
After enjoying the sandy beach, better reward yourself a cup of Cisk Lager or Hop Leaf in Paceville – the famous Maltese night clubs town.
Paceville is a suburb area of St Julian’s, which located on North-East Peninsular of Maltese island. It is a place full of vibrant, energetic and lively music.
August’s Paceville is more interesting and entertaining. You will see a lot of European youngsters celebrating their summer holiday there, the hospitable DJ is delightfully announcing: Welcome all of you, my dear friends. Oh, we have Polish friends here, Romanian friends, Hungarian friends, Austrains, Germany, French…Guided by the enthusiastic DJ, people are dancing rhythmically and joyfully along with jazz, rock etc pop music, the excitement is obvious and continuously throughout the whole night!
Different nightclubs have various styles, if you want to dance with a group and guided by the DJ, Furgo is the best choice; if you want to dance individually and enjoy more personalized style, Empire, Bamboo, Harvana can all satisfy your interest.
The Alley bar is the oldest bar among all of the other bars in Paceville, Maltese all love it, it is even more popular during summers, because the special theme nights are organized, such as beer night, live band are performed during the summer in the bar as well.
Got yourself a bit drunk with the cool sea breeze touching your face, it is unbelievable enjoyment and feeling which could lead you plan tomorrow’s Paceivelle fun hunting.
Beer, rock music, sandy beach, barbeque, Mediterranean weather, are there anything else you can enjoy? Of course, as a tourist visits Malta, obviously you are going to visit the capital city Valletta, the old city Mdina, the Mosta Dome situated in the middle heart of Malta, and Slima, the most posh area in Malta.
However, if you do want to experience something different, no wonder Marsaxslokk is a place that full of traditional Maltese feature, and every tourist is curious about it. Why not visit Marshxslokk in an afternoon and experience the exotic Mediterranean romance?
August’s Marsaxslokk will bring you lots of surprise, in this traditional fishing village, which located in the south-eastern part of Malta, you will see lots of traditional Maltese eyed boats, which mainly pictured in the various calendars and souvenirs.
Marsaxslokk markets in summer are much busier than the rest of the year, just because hawkers have more different kinds of fish to sell, such as Swordfish, Tuna, and the most popular Lampuki are caught in abundance between late autumn and throughout the whole summer. If you are keen on tasting delicious fish, plenty of fish restaurants have opened to meet the sever-increasing demand.
Drive Inn Restaurant is just around the corner along the main street of Marsaxslokk, it is a family restaurant runned by a pure Maltese Michael and his wife. Michael is also the cook, and specialising in fish dishes.
He is so friendly and enthusiastic trying to accommodate your individual requirement, for instance, when you are trying the fresh crab, which will be caught at the same day, you could ask for a extra table set all of the side dishes, and a special crab outlary.
Accompanying the deslicous food with the locally produced red, white, or rose wine, such as Marsovin or Lachryma Vitis, you will never forget the wonderful moment, and almostly probably already prepare yourself go back to the restaurant next day again!
Malta is such a multi-cultural place and mixed with different languages, Maltese are so pround of “showing off” their lative English and fluent Italian, if you are ever fed up with all of these eating out and fun-making, and expecting to experience some spiritual enhancement, why not go for a couple of languages lessons in the cool breeze morning!
Plenty of high quality and well-organised language schools, such as EC, ESE, Bilingual School, GEOS, or Chamber College of Commerce etc all provide you various levels of language teachings, from beginner to advanced level, from a group of students class to individual tutorials.
Normally the language class will start from 9:00 a.m. and finishes at 12:30p.m., the minimum course duration will be 5 week days, up to couple of months or a year as you want. All of the schools are offering English language teaching, most of them are providing Spanish and French as well.
Since Malta is an archipelago of islands, tourists are also curious about her sister island Gozo and Comino. The interesting thing to be aware is during the coolest summer every year, most probably you will find more tourists like you rather than the local Maltese in the main island Malta, so where are the local Maltese then? Surprised right?
Let me first make it clear that they are not the people who are living in the cave or inside the tree trunk, in fact most of the Maltese moved their whole family to live in Gozo during the summer holiday, this is the reason you find more tourists than Maltese in the island of Malta.
Bring yourself to Gozo, not for visiting the Parish Church of the Immaculate Conception, also not for appreciating the Azure Window in this tiny island, forget all of the tourists attraction places, just for gaining first hand experience of being a local Maltese! Interesting enough, isn't it?
You could easily find a farmhouse to rent in Gozo, they are all well decorated, and the materials of house construction are the traditional Maltese stone, the house owners provide all family facilities, the rent days start from 1 day up to couple of weeks or whatever you want.
The exciting thing is every farmhouse has its own mini swimming pool, so you could easily stay in your house, but experience the friendly interaction with Mediterranean weather and clean water.
Gozo feast is a spectacular event that tourists cannot miss it. It happens frequently during summer holiday since each village has its own Saint, every local Gozotan is celebrating the Saint that belongs to his/her village. It seems becoming kind of competition, and the villages are trying to compete with each other. You can easily find out the crazy young Gozotans are screaming, and blowing the whistle in the street along the marching parade. Fireworks, traditional dancing, local bands are all mixing with each other, probably it is the best way for Gozotans to express their exciting and delightful mood!
Getting there
Prestige Holidays offers the whole package of visiting Malta and her sister island Gozo, on the whole cost £1,750, including flight by British Airway, hotels, breakfast, farmhouses, excursions, and all the admission. Not include: travel insurance, single room supplement £250. http://www.prestigeholidays.co.uk/malta
Where to Stay
Corinthia Palace, Hilton Malta, Hotel Phoenicia are all ready to welcome your visit, you can choose anyone you like, we will tailor-made to satisfy your need. http://www.prestigeholidays.co.uk/malta
Where to Eat
We will eat breakfast at the hotel you have booked already (all of the choices are provided in our website above), not including lunch and dinner.
Saturday 19 April 2008
10p Income Tax Crisis
Labour MPs are urging Gordon Brown to rethink the tax policy reform. since it will harm the lowest income receivers,who get paid below £18,500 a year.
What the new tax policy all about?
The new change means that people who would paid income tax at the lowest 10%, how have to pay up to 20%.
And these people are normally got paid under £18,500 a year, they will lose up to £232 a year.
A government official said that Labour party can't make poor people more poor.
Gordon Brown's react
Gordon's visit to US is shadowed by the tax crisis, as one of the critic comment that when the cat is away, mice will play.
Many labours MPs are condemn' Brown's tax changes and urged him to rethink the policy.
During Brown's visit to US, he took time out to telephone ministerial aide Ms Angela Smith,and persuade her to quit over the issue.
Ironically, Brown decide to basic the basic rate from 22p to 20p, critics're commenting it's just for the news headlines!
What the new tax policy all about?
The new change means that people who would paid income tax at the lowest 10%, how have to pay up to 20%.
And these people are normally got paid under £18,500 a year, they will lose up to £232 a year.
A government official said that Labour party can't make poor people more poor.
Gordon Brown's react
Gordon's visit to US is shadowed by the tax crisis, as one of the critic comment that when the cat is away, mice will play.
Many labours MPs are condemn' Brown's tax changes and urged him to rethink the policy.
During Brown's visit to US, he took time out to telephone ministerial aide Ms Angela Smith,and persuade her to quit over the issue.
Ironically, Brown decide to basic the basic rate from 22p to 20p, critics're commenting it's just for the news headlines!
kenya's New Coalition Cabinet
The newly elected Prime Minister from Kenya sworn in fron of dignitaries, including the former UN secretary-General Kofi Annan.
His oath not only began a new phase of his political career, but also the new era of Kenya.
The Coalition Cabinet
As suggested by the former UN chief Kofi Annan, the power-sharing deal between president Mwai Kibaki,and the newly elected Prime Minister Raila Odinga,is the major trait for today's Kenyan's politics.
However, it's no secret that the imbanlance between the power distribute of the conbinet.
As Mwai Kibaki's side still occupy the key sectors in the conbinet,such as finance, security, justice, and foreign affairs.
Some critics're worrying about the imbalance might harm Odinga's pary in the future.
The bitter memory between president and prime minster
The coalition between president and prime minister needs to overcome 2005' disagreement of power-sharing.
As well, in 2002, Mr. Mwai Kibaki didn't keep his promise of naming Mr. Raila Odinga as the prime minister after taking office.
Many people're concerned about the bitter memory might halt the power-sharing practice.
Pushy Prime Minister
Mr. Raila Odinga as considered to be pushy for his political career, his out-spoken manner has earned him a reputation as Kenya's justice crusader.
Kenyans're expecting his policy of eradicating the corruption,or at least reduce it in a lowest level.
His oath not only began a new phase of his political career, but also the new era of Kenya.
The Coalition Cabinet
As suggested by the former UN chief Kofi Annan, the power-sharing deal between president Mwai Kibaki,and the newly elected Prime Minister Raila Odinga,is the major trait for today's Kenyan's politics.
However, it's no secret that the imbanlance between the power distribute of the conbinet.
As Mwai Kibaki's side still occupy the key sectors in the conbinet,such as finance, security, justice, and foreign affairs.
Some critics're worrying about the imbalance might harm Odinga's pary in the future.
The bitter memory between president and prime minster
The coalition between president and prime minister needs to overcome 2005' disagreement of power-sharing.
As well, in 2002, Mr. Mwai Kibaki didn't keep his promise of naming Mr. Raila Odinga as the prime minister after taking office.
Many people're concerned about the bitter memory might halt the power-sharing practice.
Pushy Prime Minister
Mr. Raila Odinga as considered to be pushy for his political career, his out-spoken manner has earned him a reputation as Kenya's justice crusader.
Kenyans're expecting his policy of eradicating the corruption,or at least reduce it in a lowest level.
Zimbabwe Election Crisis
The delay of releasing election result escalates Zimbabwe election Crisis. the opposition party Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) has won the parlimentary election victory.
It's the first time after 1970s' independence, Zimbabwe's leader Robert Mugabe has lost the parliamentary election.
Call for democracy
Western countries are condemning Zimbabwe's democracy practice, from western point of view, president Robert Mugabe as an arrogant dictator and easy to be blamed.
According to Robert Mugabe's react, there's no way for westerners to shout about Zimbabwe's democracy.
As before 1970s, even Zimbabwe wasn't an independent country, and colonised by Britain.
Regional solidarity
It's very relunctant for other African leader to critise Robert Mugabe publicly.
As the tradition in Africa leave crisis within African's hands,and resolve African problem in African way.
Southern Africa countries're painfully aware how Zimbabwe's collapse could bring them chaos.
So far some countries're already in a embarrased situation to host three million Zimbabeweans, and can't bear any more Zimbabeweans any more
Therefore, regional solidarity is still a obvious theme within African reigional diplomacy.
It's the first time after 1970s' independence, Zimbabwe's leader Robert Mugabe has lost the parliamentary election.
Call for democracy
Western countries are condemning Zimbabwe's democracy practice, from western point of view, president Robert Mugabe as an arrogant dictator and easy to be blamed.
According to Robert Mugabe's react, there's no way for westerners to shout about Zimbabwe's democracy.
As before 1970s, even Zimbabwe wasn't an independent country, and colonised by Britain.
Regional solidarity
It's very relunctant for other African leader to critise Robert Mugabe publicly.
As the tradition in Africa leave crisis within African's hands,and resolve African problem in African way.
Southern Africa countries're painfully aware how Zimbabwe's collapse could bring them chaos.
So far some countries're already in a embarrased situation to host three million Zimbabeweans, and can't bear any more Zimbabeweans any more
Therefore, regional solidarity is still a obvious theme within African reigional diplomacy.
Gordon Brown's visit to US
PM Gordon Brown visited states recently urging new policy between EU and US cooperation, he called for it's the time for both EU and America holding hand to hand,to promote world stability and prosperity.
Instutional reformation
Prime Minister emphasized the reformation of institution such UN, World Bank and International Monetary fund.
UN should be more efficient in conflict provention and resolution.
IMF needs to develop an warning system that could prevent problems such as global credit crunch.
The WB to aquire a new environmental emphasis.
Reframe the new international architecture
Gordon Brown appealled for strong regional organisations, build up the African Union, as like europeans build up Euorpean Union.
Finally he urged to bring the tourbled world the humanitarian and peacekeeping,and the support for stability and reconstruction that has been absent for too long.
The rising powers such China, South Africa, India, and Brazil should have more influence in organisations such as G8, the IMF and the WB.
Some media comment Brown's states visit was shadowed by the Pope Benedict XVI.
Instutional reformation
Prime Minister emphasized the reformation of institution such UN, World Bank and International Monetary fund.
UN should be more efficient in conflict provention and resolution.
IMF needs to develop an warning system that could prevent problems such as global credit crunch.
The WB to aquire a new environmental emphasis.
Reframe the new international architecture
Gordon Brown appealled for strong regional organisations, build up the African Union, as like europeans build up Euorpean Union.
Finally he urged to bring the tourbled world the humanitarian and peacekeeping,and the support for stability and reconstruction that has been absent for too long.
The rising powers such China, South Africa, India, and Brazil should have more influence in organisations such as G8, the IMF and the WB.
Some media comment Brown's states visit was shadowed by the Pope Benedict XVI.
Friday 18 April 2008
Before the Fall -- Memorising Mark Speight
I could admit that when I read this article, by Jay Burridge, just feel a great sadness, and even let the tears flow.
The sadness coming from the loss of an excellent children's TV presentor, from Jay's lyric style of memorising his best friend, from the clearest awareness of how drag could kill a talented individual.
Who's Mark?
Jay remembered that when he first saw Mark, a muscular chap with peroxide hair, dressed to impress in a tight-fitting, three-piece pinstripe suit.
The funniest thing that Jay describes is one of Mark's trait, if he didn't know what to do or say, he'd just laugh and fumble about for comic effect.
After meeting Natasha Collins, also a children's TV presentor, Tasha replaced Jay becoming Mark's cloest friend.They were forever clowning about.
Death of Mark
The tragedy begins from Tasha's death, police suspects Mark and arrested him for further questioning, Jay and other concerned friends only got Mark's news from press.
Ultimately knowing that Tasha's death is drug-related.
...
Roughly 3 months later, Mark died just around the corner from Jay's family home to Paddington.
The contemplate that Jay and Mark's other concerned friends made is he had decided enough was ENOUGH.
Behind the death
For a person who lived his life in the spotlight, he couldn't manage to rebuild his life, and literally he lost everything.
Not only the love of his life, but his career,house,money and reputation.
Though he hadn't charged with any offence, the simple assoociation with drugs would completely ruin his life, and stay with him forever.
The word that I got a big shock from Jay's narration is what Mark told him: he had now understood what was meant by a living nightmare.
The sadness coming from the loss of an excellent children's TV presentor, from Jay's lyric style of memorising his best friend, from the clearest awareness of how drag could kill a talented individual.
Who's Mark?
Jay remembered that when he first saw Mark, a muscular chap with peroxide hair, dressed to impress in a tight-fitting, three-piece pinstripe suit.
The funniest thing that Jay describes is one of Mark's trait, if he didn't know what to do or say, he'd just laugh and fumble about for comic effect.
After meeting Natasha Collins, also a children's TV presentor, Tasha replaced Jay becoming Mark's cloest friend.They were forever clowning about.
Death of Mark
The tragedy begins from Tasha's death, police suspects Mark and arrested him for further questioning, Jay and other concerned friends only got Mark's news from press.
Ultimately knowing that Tasha's death is drug-related.
...
Roughly 3 months later, Mark died just around the corner from Jay's family home to Paddington.
The contemplate that Jay and Mark's other concerned friends made is he had decided enough was ENOUGH.
Behind the death
For a person who lived his life in the spotlight, he couldn't manage to rebuild his life, and literally he lost everything.
Not only the love of his life, but his career,house,money and reputation.
Though he hadn't charged with any offence, the simple assoociation with drugs would completely ruin his life, and stay with him forever.
The word that I got a big shock from Jay's narration is what Mark told him: he had now understood what was meant by a living nightmare.
A Tour at BBC Television Centre
Me and my colleagues from "BBC London Step Up Training Scheme '08" spent a afternoon on 16th of April, visiting BBC television centre.
We visited the TV studio, tour guide explained us how to broadcast weather; as well as afterwards we did a short TV quiz show trial. An interesting experience!
the Tour in TV studio
the tour guide firstly led us to see the big roundabout within BBC, and she explained that the roundabout is exactly in the centre of BBC buildings.
BBC originally started from 1920s, beginning of a group of leading manufacturers, such as the great radio pioneer Guglielmo Marconi.
In our group Mr. Colin Paddy's quite familiar with the BBC history.
The guide's joking with him, do you want to take my place? No worries,let's give some opportunities to our children (because besides the Step Up group, there're some other public joined our group).
How to broadcast weather
the weather forecast, is quite interesting, we did a simple trial on the corridor inside the building.
The lady explained us that the presenters better to wear colours like red, when she is presenting, as we see such as wearing blue,dark these colours even disappear in the screen.
She also pointed out that the canvas behind the presentors normally should be blue or green, can anyone guess the reason?
Because there is no people's skin is blue or green in this earth!
TV quiz show trial
the TV quiz show is a trial for us how the TV studio operate, indeed it's quite similar as what we learn from uni. Westminster,I volunteered to work in the gallery.
And as the visional control panel operator, I followed the guide's instruction, and in the meantime, there's a girl coming from sound background, we're working together to operate the TV show.
Tuesday 15 April 2008
Sakulsri Srisaracam -- My Talented Master Classmate (1)
Online module journalism offers us the opportunity to create a multimedia website. www.londonalternative.co.uk & www.londonoutloud.co.uk. At end of the term, all of us create about me page according to personal wishes.
yixiang is bringing you to have a look of some of the talents' about me page!!
Here featuring Londonoutloud's web designer in chief -- Sakulri Srisaracam.
Sakulsri Srisaracam
An easy-going girl from Far East,Thai,her "about me page" is so attractive and organised.
Featuring many fascinating pictures, which memorising her education and journalism career.
I really enjoy her slide show, all of the images're the strong tool of stories telling.
A lucky girl who's always opening up with new opportunities
Momerising the one year Master course, which gives me many chances to be familiar with Sakulsri.
She's enthusiastic, helpful, easy-going, and of course talented!
Such a sweet character and a charming personality should bring her many opportunities, seems exactly reflects the saying: personality decides fate!
I'm glad to have such a talented classmate and wish her all the best!
Watch series "Chinese School -- Young Pioneers" on BBC iPlayer
A very touchable and moved TV documentary was displayed on BBC iPlayer. The story describes 5 young Chinese's different life, all of them are living in rural China.
A convinent tool to what TV programme via PC
BBC iPlayer is a very convinent tool to watch TV Online, audience could download the TV programme.
He/she can start to watch it within 30 days, and finish to watch it within 7 days, afterwards the programme will be deleted automatically.
The newly developed technology is pretty useful for young people, like us who don't own TV, and the programmes are free for UK licence fee payers.
Back to the Chinese series
Watching carefully about the TV series,it reflects China's one child policy; the most pressureful and serious "gaokao" exam; children's "young pioneers" dream.
China's domestic immigrants phenomenon; Chinese youngsters' english learning and open to see the world.
The way BBC combining the story are excellent, I enjoy watch from the very beginning, though some of the details I feel funny, still an pretty interesting story.
Just few doubt
How BBC choose the main character? for instance, the girl who come first during the gaokao examination, the young boy who got hurt for his arms?
Because when BBC start to shoot the story, it's one week before the girl's gaokao examination, and before the boy got hurt with his arm.
Imagine if both of them nothing happen at the end? Does the story still attractive enough?
A convinent tool to what TV programme via PC
BBC iPlayer is a very convinent tool to watch TV Online, audience could download the TV programme.
He/she can start to watch it within 30 days, and finish to watch it within 7 days, afterwards the programme will be deleted automatically.
The newly developed technology is pretty useful for young people, like us who don't own TV, and the programmes are free for UK licence fee payers.
Back to the Chinese series
Watching carefully about the TV series,it reflects China's one child policy; the most pressureful and serious "gaokao" exam; children's "young pioneers" dream.
China's domestic immigrants phenomenon; Chinese youngsters' english learning and open to see the world.
The way BBC combining the story are excellent, I enjoy watch from the very beginning, though some of the details I feel funny, still an pretty interesting story.
Just few doubt
How BBC choose the main character? for instance, the girl who come first during the gaokao examination, the young boy who got hurt for his arms?
Because when BBC start to shoot the story, it's one week before the girl's gaokao examination, and before the boy got hurt with his arm.
Imagine if both of them nothing happen at the end? Does the story still attractive enough?
UK Digital TV Switchover
My mentor Joanne Moore is working in BBC new media sector, she introduced me to the Interactive TV concept, which is the main feature of digital TV, After searching online, more or less I have some ideas of digital TV.
Digital TV switchover from '08 towards '12 within UK
UK government decided to plan the digital TV switchover from '08 towards '12. people will be informed when the switchover's coming.
All of the people need to switchover, otherwise he/she won't receive any TV channels.
If someone's TV is already able to receive more than 5 TV channels, that means most probably the TV is digital already.
All he/she needs is to connect the TV with a set-top box with an extra lead (scart connnector).
Why Digital TV
couple of benefits people will gain:
1. More channels people can receive
2. Better image quality than analogue TV
3. Interactive feature, which is essentially connected with Interative TV
4. Elctronic programme guide, which's the on-screen information about what's on
5. Better accessibility, which means the recordable subtitles on many programmes, such as audio description
Digital TV switchover from '08 towards '12 within UK
UK government decided to plan the digital TV switchover from '08 towards '12. people will be informed when the switchover's coming.
All of the people need to switchover, otherwise he/she won't receive any TV channels.
If someone's TV is already able to receive more than 5 TV channels, that means most probably the TV is digital already.
All he/she needs is to connect the TV with a set-top box with an extra lead (scart connnector).
Why Digital TV
couple of benefits people will gain:
1. More channels people can receive
2. Better image quality than analogue TV
3. Interactive feature, which is essentially connected with Interative TV
4. Elctronic programme guide, which's the on-screen information about what's on
5. Better accessibility, which means the recordable subtitles on many programmes, such as audio description
Meeting BBC Mentor Joanne Moore
It's so exciting that I had the first meeting with my "BBC Step Up Training Scheme" mentor,Joanne Moore,who is an practising artist and web site designer living in London.
Joanne Moore
A born and breed Londoner, whose mother coming from London and father coming from Barbado, a place let me think of many pirates, since the Hollywood film Pirates of the Garibbean.
She lives in east London,a famous place which's full of cultural events,I found she's so enthusiastic, easy-going and helpful .
She introduced me the concept of Interactive TV, since she's the specialist in Interactive TV Design, and currently she's working with user test team.
Interactive TV
After researching online, I find out that interactive TV is the main feature of digital TV, which will be in use within the whole UK till '12.
It allows us to do more things rather than only watching TV, for instance, you can easily see extra news stories and sports coverage, check sports results and weather forecasts.
Even play games, go shopping, place bets and use email.
How to go interactive and Why?
Every time when people press the red button on the TV remote control pannel, the feature will display, then continously press up or down to choose the programme you want to watch.
So it's no longer for you to wait for the programme to be broadcasted, you simply choose the programme you want to watch whenever you want.
For instance, if you want to watch football news, just choose sports, then choose football afterwards, the particular news that matches your interest will appear.
Interesting, isn't it?
Joanne Moore
A born and breed Londoner, whose mother coming from London and father coming from Barbado, a place let me think of many pirates, since the Hollywood film Pirates of the Garibbean.
She lives in east London,a famous place which's full of cultural events,I found she's so enthusiastic, easy-going and helpful .
She introduced me the concept of Interactive TV, since she's the specialist in Interactive TV Design, and currently she's working with user test team.
Interactive TV
After researching online, I find out that interactive TV is the main feature of digital TV, which will be in use within the whole UK till '12.
It allows us to do more things rather than only watching TV, for instance, you can easily see extra news stories and sports coverage, check sports results and weather forecasts.
Even play games, go shopping, place bets and use email.
How to go interactive and Why?
Every time when people press the red button on the TV remote control pannel, the feature will display, then continously press up or down to choose the programme you want to watch.
So it's no longer for you to wait for the programme to be broadcasted, you simply choose the programme you want to watch whenever you want.
For instance, if you want to watch football news, just choose sports, then choose football afterwards, the particular news that matches your interest will appear.
Interesting, isn't it?
Beijing Olympic Torch Relay in London
A pro-Tibet protesters tried to snatch the torch from Ms. Konnie Huq, who is sorrounded by 10 mighty and handsome fluorescent-jacketed Chinese police officers during the torch relay in London. Troubled Relay
Many planned torchbearers, such as BBC's deputy director general Mark Byford, Radio Five Presenter Gabby Logan have found some reasons to dropped out from the relay.
Some of the UK celebrities spoken out about China's human rights issue, especially regarding China's policy on Tibet.
The major concern is since the Olympic value is to bring people together around the world, in order to promote peace and harmony, it's very controversial and ironic that the host nation's doings in the last few weeks.
Should sports be involved into politics?
Some critics are questioning should sports be involved into politics? Does Olympic game is a platform for people to raise related political issues towards host nation, such as China?
From the dropped torch carriers point of view, though the boycott does bring pressures to host country, it's also a chance to raise debate, and then changes can follow.
However, Sharron Davies, a Olympic swimmer who had confronted the dilemma before during the 1980's Moscow Olympic.
There won't be any difference the boycott could made, the only people will get hurt is the athlete, who have to wait for 4 years long to compete in Olympic.
Birthday Party after Cambridge Trip
Planned a birthday party after Cambridge trip, sounds perfect!11th of April, after getting off from King's Cross train station, I travelled to China town, and bought all of the Chinese food that needed for the evening party.
Counting precisely, suddenly find out that this is my 6th birthday after being abroad! Can't imagine it!
Party comers
I invited most of my secondary/high school classmates who're currently staying in London.
The ultimate comers are Max (Shuangsong), Eric (Yangwang), Jingluo(Lucy) and her Iranian boyfriend, however.
Vivian (Wenting Pi) and her boyfriend didn't make it at the end. Jenny (Yijing Hu) told me she had already arranged to meet someone on 11th night.
Karen (Kechen) didn't turn out after leaving her voice msg, later get to know she's enjoying her Euro trip!
It's amazing that we have nearly 10 people from the same class finally end up in London, and have such a incredible gathering.
As me and Vivian said before that it's very interesting to discover how we're after 5 years didn't see each other.
And after another 5 years, probaly we are all very different from what we see each other now.
A nice birthday surrounded with friendship
In such a special accasion, friendship seems more touchable, we were talking many things related with our secondary/high school classmates, and laugh all the way along the conversation.
Lucy's still keep her naivety, even much more easy-going than before.
Her boyfriend filmed the most important part of my birthday -- the moment I blowed out the candel.
After the dinner, we watched the documentary that based on Lucy, Karen and another British Born Chinese's personal experiences.
I enjoy a birthday with warm-hearted friendship!
Youngster's Killed at Hammersmiths
Last week, a schoolboy Kodjo Yenga was killed by 5 crazy teenagers at Hammersmiths, London. They shouted at him and screamed "killed him", however, none of the guilty youngsters can be named because of their age.
More than a hundred people attended Kodjo's funeral.
He is a brilliant teen
"Yeah, he is great, he is very popular among his peers, and everybody likes him, he is a brilliant teen." Kojir's school teacher said.
One of the teenagers who found guilty was just released from the court couple of hours before his manslaughter, according to BBC London news.
Before the death happened, Kojir's 15 years old girlfriend persuaded him not to go, and meet the guy who was trying to challenge him.
Kodjo's mother said she wants to tell these 5 guilty youngsters, that no matter how many times they're trying to wash their hands, but Kodjo's blood will stay on them forever.
More than a hundred people attended Kodjo's funeral.
He is a brilliant teen
"Yeah, he is great, he is very popular among his peers, and everybody likes him, he is a brilliant teen." Kojir's school teacher said.
One of the teenagers who found guilty was just released from the court couple of hours before his manslaughter, according to BBC London news.
Before the death happened, Kojir's 15 years old girlfriend persuaded him not to go, and meet the guy who was trying to challenge him.
Kodjo's mother said she wants to tell these 5 guilty youngsters, that no matter how many times they're trying to wash their hands, but Kodjo's blood will stay on them forever.
yixiang playing Chopin Nocturne in E Flat
I recorded it in 2006 summer, during my 2nd year at Uni. Malta for my Bachelor of Communications.
In the meantime, I'm preparing for my ALCM Music Diploma in piano perfoming from London College of Music.
At that moment, I'm studying with Miss Maria Blanco,who's currently based in Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester.
Indeed this performance is for accompanying a presentation I did at Uni.Malta, the course module is presentation techniques,under Dr.Gorg Mallia.
I have a deep interest and passion in Chopin's music,therefore combining this Nocturne as the background music, and explaining audience the story about the most greatest polish composer Fryderyk Chopin.
Filiming: Yu Jin
@ Gzira, Malta
Monday 14 April 2008
Birthday Trip to Cambridge!
10th of April, a sunnny day I went to cambridge for a short birthday trip, and just feel so free in this small but delicate city of england.
Cambridge has very hight reputation around world, for chinese, more probably the reputation came from the most romantic poet Zhimo Xu's River Cam Oncemore.
Never imagine I'll go to cambridge in such a special occasion!
Fed up with all kinds of camera
It's funny that I prepared all the different type cameras, video cam and my digital cam, but at the last min, I decide touring cambridge without any one!
I just feel too much of taking photos, filming cities, festivals, why not just be free and be as relaxed as I want in such a delicate city, and just enjoy my birthday!
I'm deserved for one day off!!
River Cam punting
It's a fanscinating punting experience, the architectures are amazingly attractive, the people are friendly and gentle, the river is quite, calm and romantic.
I enjoyed river trip, and naturally my old memory was appearing, oh, it's '06 Bruee Trip, it's a beautiful city near Brussels, so similar as Cambridge near London.
Both of these two small towns are surrounded by famous rivers, both of these two cities are famous for it's elegent architecture styles, both of them have many small streets, and delicate shops.
A walk to remember
I did lots of walk in the small town, I discovered king's, St. John's, Trinity, etc all of these colleges are just near each other.
Only looking outside of the colleges, you'll find yourself suddenly become serious because you want to behave properly in this holy place.
I was surprised by its organised and green areas, old and profound buildings, educated and gental students. Absolutely an amazing place!
Cambridge has very hight reputation around world, for chinese, more probably the reputation came from the most romantic poet Zhimo Xu's River Cam Oncemore.
Never imagine I'll go to cambridge in such a special occasion!
Fed up with all kinds of camera
It's funny that I prepared all the different type cameras, video cam and my digital cam, but at the last min, I decide touring cambridge without any one!
I just feel too much of taking photos, filming cities, festivals, why not just be free and be as relaxed as I want in such a delicate city, and just enjoy my birthday!
I'm deserved for one day off!!
River Cam punting
It's a fanscinating punting experience, the architectures are amazingly attractive, the people are friendly and gentle, the river is quite, calm and romantic.
I enjoyed river trip, and naturally my old memory was appearing, oh, it's '06 Bruee Trip, it's a beautiful city near Brussels, so similar as Cambridge near London.
Both of these two small towns are surrounded by famous rivers, both of these two cities are famous for it's elegent architecture styles, both of them have many small streets, and delicate shops.
A walk to remember
I did lots of walk in the small town, I discovered king's, St. John's, Trinity, etc all of these colleges are just near each other.
Only looking outside of the colleges, you'll find yourself suddenly become serious because you want to behave properly in this holy place.
I was surprised by its organised and green areas, old and profound buildings, educated and gental students. Absolutely an amazing place!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)