K S LO ENGLISH

When I first saw it, it was like a red rose which

blew my mind out back and forth.

I blindfolded myself with its thorns

even though I knew it would not go north.

I found stains on my hand; ‘fore I pulled them off again

Maybe that was too late ’cause the blue had poured in my vain

When I last held it, it became our orchid.

 

Cats are cute, aren’t they? Some claim that keeping a cat is easy as you just have to feed them and play with them. Cats are easy to pet. In reality, keeping a cat is always easier said than done.

1. Naughty cats can be troublesome

Some cats are naughty. They urinate furniture like sofas, especially male cats. They urinate everywhere when other cats are living with them. The reason is that they want to let other cats know about their own territories which are not to be intruded. When other cats enter their territories, they will fight them. When a cat is hurt, you have to take it to see a vet. To be honest, medical expenditure can be huge when the cat needs a medical check-up.

2. Cats are not cute when they are sick

Cats are like children. They sometimes have some illnesses. Especially when cats are getting older and older, they may suffer from diseases such as stomatitis. They may need frequent medical check-ups. Apart from that, surgeries are needed. Take stomatitis as an example; cats’ teeth may have to be removed to cure the illness. The cost is high. You may have to spend more than a month’s share of pocket money.

3. Cats can destroy everything

Sometimes, cats need partners to play with. Otherwise, they may bite all sorts of different items. Sometimes, they may bite into electric wires. Some may even try to break TVs. That’s terrible!

4. Pedigree cats suffer from more diseases

Pedigree cats such as Scottish Fold cats suffer from various diseases easily. They usually suffer from hyperostosis because they have some gene problems. Sometimes, their joints have problems such as deformity. Some are deaf because their ears are folded. Consequently, medical expenditure is much higher than you can imagine.

5. Cats are like children.

Cats are like children. You have to teach them how they can behave well. It takes a lot of time. Frankly, you have to teach cats to use the cat litter box. Also, you have to buy toys which are suitable for them. For example, some cats like running and jumping around your home. You may consider making some cat trees (i.e. steps for cats to jump). Some cats like playing with cat teasers. Sometimes, you have to buy more toys than expected. Having a cat is like having a child. If you are a responsible owner, you have to know more about your cats’ preferences. Of course, they may get into trouble like children sometimes!

I am not deterring you from having a cat. But I want you to consider whether you are suited to have a cat!

Some videos about cats wrecking everything:

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op4NANJh16U
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qr1nGeSHwE0
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Itq8_HOPEXU

 

Cover picture credit:

Photo by Eftodii Aurelia from Pexels

Rating: *** (out of five)

If you had an opportunity to change the past, what would you change?

Norimichi Shimada and Yusuke spend their pool-cleaning duty. Nazuna proposes a swimming competition for Norimichi and Yusuke. She says that the winner could spend a night with her. Finally, Yusuke wins. He does not want Yusuke to win because he finds that Yusuke doesn’t like Nazuna. Suddenly, Norimichi discovers a small glass marble which can rewind time. He tries to throw the marble and changes the past.

When he goes to the past, he encounters a lot of things. When he gets to a train with Norimichi, he is caught by her parents. He wants to alter the past again, so he throws the glass marble. This time, he is caught by his friends. He throws the marble again. Finally, he goes to an ideal world that nobody deters them from getting onto the train.

Norimichi goes to a lighthouse and sees the fireworks. He finds that the shapes of fireworks change when he changes the past. In the original world, the fireworks are rounded. In another world where he has changed the past, the fireworks are flat. In his ideal world, the fireworks are rounded again! However, Nazuna doesn’t want to live in his ideal world. Norimichi throws the marble again…

Comment:

I think the effects of the fireworks are great. But the directors should try to tell us more about the reason why only fireworks can represent different worlds. The ending is a bit unclear. Also, Norimichi persists in getting to the train with Nazuna, so he changes the past. How about the other characters? Do they know that the world is changing? The plot events are a bit problematic.

More about Shunji Iwai:

A Japanese film director, video artist, writer and documentary maker. He was awarded Directors Guild of Japan New Directors Award in 1993.

If you want to read the book, click the following links.

• Chinese version: https://hkpl.ebook.hyread.com.tw/bookDetail.jsp?id=138520
• English version: https://www.amazon.com/Fireworks-Should-Bottom-light-novel/dp/1975353269

If you want to watch the animation, click the following links.

• Chinese substitute: https://www.movieffm.net/movies/fireworks-should-we-see-it-from-the-side-or-the-bottom/
• English substitute: https://www.amazon.com/Fireworks-Subtitled-Japanese-Animation-%E6%89%93%E3%81%A1%E4%B8%8A%E3%81%92%E8%8A%B1%E7%81%AB%E3%80%81%E4%B8%8B%E3%81%8B%E3%82%89%E8%A6%8B%E3%82%8B/dp/B07FLLL2QY

 

Cover picture credit: https://forum.gamer.com.tw/Co.php?bsn=47230&sn=142

Rating: ***** (out of five)

Have you ever imagined a cat could change one’s life? If not, let’s see if this book can arouse your interests!

James is a homeless and former heroin addict. After a life-threatening drug-related incident, he is sent to a hospital. He does not have the motivation to live even if he is asked to take part in a drug-rehabilitation programme. One day, he discovers a lovely ginger cat sneaking into his house. He gives the cat some food and milk. After that, he asks people whether they know who the cat’s owner is. Unfortunately, the cat does not have an owner. James finds that there are bumps on its body. He takes Bob to see a vet. James realizes that adopting a cat is easier said than done. The medical expenditure is equal to his weekly pocket money. He names this ginger cat Bob.

When he is busking with Bob, he can earn more money as Bob is adorable and attractive. The crowds look at Bob and start to appreciate James’s performance. Some people give Bob knitted scarfs and food. They take photos with Bob. James becomes motivated to keep on busking.

After some time, James realizes that he cannot be a drug addict anymore because he does not want Bob to have a drug addict as his owner. He spends time becoming clean. It is hard for James to get rid of drugs because there are many withdrawal symptoms. He has hallucinations and suffers from insomnia. There is a voice telling him that maybe it is a good idea to start taking heroin again. When he wants to give up, Bob sits near James and looks at him, as if to say, “Are you alright? I am here if you need me!.” After the nightmarish forty-eight hours, James becomes clean.

It is a movie based on a true story. You can buy this book in book shops. Also, you can know more about drug addicts. This story conveys the message that when someone is homeless, it doesn’t mean they are hopeless. All they want is love, care and a friend along the way, human or animal.

Latest news: Bob has died aged 14.

 

Cover photo credit: https://wall.alphacoders.com/big.php?i=796856

Rating: ***** (out of five)

If you had two choices: sacrificing your beloved and saving the city or sacrificing the city and saving your beloved, which one would you choose?

High schooler Hodaka Morishima runs away from his home and goes to Tokyo. Unfortunately, his ferry is hit by a fierce storm. He is saved by Keisuke Suga, who gives Hodaka a business card. He encounters Hina who works in a fast-food restaurant. She thinks that Hodaka is poor because he has come to Tokyo alone. After that, Hodaka works for Suga to make a living. He meets Suga’s niece Natsumi. He works with her at a small publishing company. They have to investigate urban legends related to the unusually rainy weather in Tokyo.

He discovers that Hina can change the weather. They start running a business. Some people will send some offers to her to change the bad weather because they want to have some important activities such as weddings on particular days.

Suddenly, Hodaka is caught on a security camera. Hodaka’s family has called the police, and they want Hodaka to return home. The officers also find that Hina and her brother Nagi have no legal guardians. They want to arrest them and make them live in custody. They take shelter in a hotel. Hina reveals that she is slowly turning into water. She explains that she is the cause of the abnormal weather and intends to be a human sacrifice. Thanks to working with Hina for some time, Hodaka has fallen in love with her. If you were Hodaka, what would you choose: sacrificing your loved one and fix the abnormal weather or ignoring the abnormal weather and saving your love? If you want to know what Hodaka’s decision is, why don’t you read this novel or watch the whole movie?

Comments:

Weathering With You is both a fantastic novel and an animation. It conveys the message that it is challenging for people to make choices in some particular moments. The theme songs and animations are great. Also, it is an inspiring story!

More about Makoto Shinkai:

Makoto Shinkai is a renowned Japanese animator, filmmaker and manga artist best known for directing Your Name, the highest-grossing anime of all time at the time of release and 2019’s Weathering With You among other works such as The Garden of Words and 5 Centimeters per Second. He was listed by Variety as one of 10 animators to watch in 2016.

Ways to read Weathering With You (novel):

Chinese version (Hyread): https://hkpl.ebook.hyread.com.tw/bookDetail.jsp?id=188625

English version (Amazon)*: https://www.amazon.com/Weathering-You-Makoto-Shinkai/dp/1975399366

Ways to watch Weathering With You (animation):

Chinese version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q04eo2dI3mM

English version (Amazon)*: https://www.amazon.com/-/zh_TW/Weathering-You-Blu-ray-Lee-Pace/dp/B089266XKG/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Weathering+With+You&qid=1592214117&s=movies-tv&sr=1-1

*You have to pay to read the novel and watch the film. Blue-ray CD (English version) can be bought in the Amazon.

 

Cover photo credit: https://images6.alphacoders.com/102/1021972.jpg

If you want to learn English through songs, why don’t you try to listen to the following songs?

1. Remember Me

Remember Me is the theme song of the renowned animation Coco. The song tells us that nothing is more important than your family. In the animation, Miguel dreamed of being a musician. He admired Ernesto de la Cruz who was a well-known singer. He was cursed because he stole Ernest’s guitar. Eventually, he realized that his family was the most important than everything. In the film, this song was written for Miguel’s grandma Coco. The song was talking about how her father missed Coco. Lyric ‘The only way that I can be until you’re in my arms again, remember me’ is touching. It is a nice song!

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImutnoiBixY

2. How Far I’ll Go

It is a theme song of the movie Moana. Moana was a brave girl who was chosen to return a heart to Te Fiti. She needed to confront the volcanic demon Te Ka. If you are fear of various uncertainties in your life, you can listen to this song to find hope. Lyrics ‘If the wind in my sail on the sea stays behind me. One day I’ll know, how far I’ll go.’ Moana could overcome different obstacles such as a typhoon and shipwreck. If you have courage, you can do a lot of things which you think are impossible.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPAbx5kgCJo

3. Speechless

Speechless is one of the songs from the film Aladdin. The song is talking about princess Jasmine. When she saw the regime was overthrown by Jafar. She tried to steal back the lamp which empowered Jafar to be the governor of the country. When you face something unjust but you are nervous to voice out, you can listen to this song to get inspiration. The lyrics ‘Cause I’ll breathe when they try to suffocate me. Don’t you underestimate me cause I know that I won’t go speechless’ is cool!

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mw5VIEIvuMI

4. When I Grow Up

Matilda was a genius who was looked down on by her principal Miss Trunchball. She thought of some brilliant ideas to help Miss Honey face the cruel principal and helped Miss Trunchall to leave the school. Life is strange as you never know what the ending will be. When you find your life miserable, listen to the song! The lyrics just because I find myself in this story, it doesn’t mean that everything is written for me’. ‘If I think the ending is fixed already, I might as well be saying I think that it’s OK! And that’s not right!’ is remarkable!

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGPXA7UOocE

5. Count on Me

Friends are vitally important. When you are sad, you can find your friends to chat with. The lyric ‘I can count on you like 4, 3, 2 and you’ll be there ’cause that’s what friends are supposed to do oh yeah’ uses only a few words to show the significance of friendship.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMsvwwp6S7Q

Songs can be meaningful if you listen to them for more than several times!

 

Cover photo credit: https://wallpapercave.com/w/wp2289200

Have you ever imagined your life as being a NET teacher and a writer? Miss Kate White, who was a former NET teacher in K S Lo, speaks to Mimi Wong about herself and being a NET teacher and writer.

You have been teaching in Hong Kong for seven years. Why do you want to be a NET teacher?

Initially, I wanted to be a writer more than a teacher. However, after I graduated from university in the UK, it seemed the natural thing for me to try. (My father was teaching in Hong Kong at the time.) Though it wasn’t something I imagined I would be doing for the next 8 years, I enjoyed the experience greatly, and I learnt a lot! 

What do you like about being a teacher?

Being a teacher is an interactive job. It’s not just about facing a computer or having a desk job but also talking to students. I can laugh and have fun in classes. Teaching is a learning experience as well. A secret is that I don’t care much for public speaking – something I had to do in school morning assembly quite often. But after facing a class every day, it gave me the confidence I needed and speaking in front of a crowd became a lot easier. Yet, one challenge is that it can be unpredictable. You can’t always control other’s behaviour or reaction- even the best lesson planning doesn’t always go your way.

Why do want to become a writer? 

When I was younger, I thought that writing was like a form of escapism. Reading was my main hobby and I borrowed three to four books every Saturday from the public library. Writing provided an opportunity for me to release my negative emotions! I guess it’s also the influence from my parents as they encouraged me to read from an early age. When I was about 15, I had the idea for my book. The characters kept appearing in my head, waiting to be introduced into the world. As a result, it took me many years to publish the book through the intensive editing process- it never seemed good enough; something all writers experience! Even if I encountered many bad things in reality, I can always escape from reality by writing.

Have you faced any challenges when you become a writer?

I would say writers’ block, and not being able to fulfil the snapshot of random ideas I had in my head. I have edited the novel for many years but nothing new recently. Also, there can be internal struggles and lack of confidence that might hinder or stop you from writing- for example, do we write for ourselves or the reader? A lot of the time it’s to share personal things (as through Caskets of Ice), yet once it’s out in the world, you can’t predict or control how others will react.

These days, I have been quite busy. Finding time to write is a challenging task. Interestingly, I have more inspirations when I am busy, or listening to music that puts me in the mood. When I am bored, I find I cannot come up with many ideas.

Could you tell us about your new book?

The new book is called “Casket of Ice”. It is about reality and the terrors of the dream world. Imagine you can control your dreams in your ‘ideal’ setting, to escape to somewhere far better than the troubles you experience every day. However, there is a dream devil that rules the dream world, plaguing and collecting people’s souls. He may appear your friend at first, but he hides more unsettling secrets of his own. One of the main characters – a secondary school student called Dinah realises she gets more than she bargains for once she enters this new, scarier realm she cannot wake from. Though the story is a bit dark and creepy, it is very realistic to our lives- which is often complicated, and far from pretty or nice. It encourages us to have the determination and face our problems with strength and unity.

…

Read More Read More

I have seen annual performances in the school. There are only Chinese dramas and English dramas. Does drama have only two types?

Our school dramas are the traditional ones. Writing a script, then actors perform on the stage. Drama has more than two types. There are a lot of different forms. Musicals are also a type of drama. Actors say something and sing songs which are related to the story, their feelings and attitudes and what they are thinking about. Apart from that, there are TV dramas such as Come Home Love: Lo And Behold produced by TVB, and Alpha Maria produced by RTHK. As long as there is a storyline and actors, the work can be defined as drama.

What personality is required if I want to become a drama performer?

No matter which types of drama performer you are, you should be compatible and humble. You have to work with others and follow the directors’ instructions. You need some creativity. After all, a good drama can be successful if the cast act creatively. People can easily step into the performers shoes to enjoy the whole drama.

How can a drama performer make a living?

A drama performer has more than one job. He or she sometimes works as a drama teacher in a primary school or a secondary school. They usually works as a performer in the morning or at night and work as a teacher in the afternoon. Drama performers sometimes have to work overnight so they lack sleep.

What should I study if I want to be a drama performer?

You have to study at HKAPA (Hong Kong Academy of Arts and Performance). If you are not interested in such drama programs provided by the HKAPA, you can study overseas. Many countries offer plentiful programs and courses about drama. After studying for a few years, you may consider returning to Hong Kong to begin your career.

How can repertory companies run their business?

They usually have a page on social media. They use Facebook to target their main audience. If a page is set up, Facebook will make a weekly report which shows which age group browse the page a lot. It will be easier for them to set the price according to the report.

Life may be as hard being a drama performer. You have to rush through different places in one day. If you have a passion to be a drama performer, why don’t you have a try? Although there many tough things, you can overcome them one day!

 

Cover picture credit:

http://uk.matildathemusical.com/gallery/#lg=1&slide=2