I've got a collection of 'Cafe Times in SH' and this would make the last of it. K is leaving for Hong Kong tomorrow and we went to the Australian place for some brunch one last time.
I missed you already!
Tried to think...
Village upon water - Tong Li
Yesterday we ventured to another ancient village by the water called Tong Li (同里) and it turned out to be a disappointment.
Tong Li is one of the six famous 'water villages' in the area and is named "the Venice of the Oriental". I could almost imagine how nice it was and how significant it might be with its grandness and wealthiness. But then, somewhere along the way, the essence of 'water village' has been lost. Sadly, it has now been turned into popular tourist destination, artificially remodified and very much commercialized.
Or maybe my impression of it was tarnished once I'd learnt of the over-priced admission tickets.
Tong Li is one of the six famous 'water villages' in the area and is named "the Venice of the Oriental". I could almost imagine how nice it was and how significant it might be with its grandness and wealthiness. But then, somewhere along the way, the essence of 'water village' has been lost. Sadly, it has now been turned into popular tourist destination, artificially remodified and very much commercialized.
Or maybe my impression of it was tarnished once I'd learnt of the over-priced admission tickets.
Village upon water - Xi Tang
Xi Tang is one of the most celebrated ancient town in the region. It is divided with interconnected canals and wooden houses line along the banks. Despite booming tourism, people still go on with their daily routines like usual. It is how people interact within the water villages that makes it so interestingly unique.
And I find Xi Tang especially fascinating at night. Old couples sit by the houses in the night. Cats and dogs lay idly everywhere. Houses with red lanterns reflect in the water. Alleys are lit by dim lights. The night is silent and still. It is simply poetic.
In The Shadow
I think I have a thing for leaves. There is such a peacefulness in them.
Pretty colors of green, yellow, orange, red, gold, brown, purple and grey.
The sound of fluttering leaves.
Shimmering leaves through the sunlight.
And dancing shadows in the starry night.
Pretty colors of green, yellow, orange, red, gold, brown, purple and grey.
The sound of fluttering leaves.
Shimmering leaves through the sunlight.
And dancing shadows in the starry night.
The Amusement Park
We took the ID kid on a day out as promised and it turned out great fun. I thought we all felt like being a kid again for a moment or two.
A Very French Morning
It was just the perfect morning spending time in the French quarter of Shanghai with a gorgeous friend from L.A.. Before Jason headed back to the States, we met up for a little European breakfast at Wukang Road to share his journeys to Guilin, Beijing and Huangshan. I had a lovely time.
The Closing
The Closing Ceremony, unlike its opening show, feels like a carnival. The content maybe less than elegant and the set maybe much less complicated, it did a good job in injecting beautiful colours into the venue and everyone seems to be having a marvelous time. The good cause that we've all been working for finally comes to an end.
Leisure Time
For the past few days, we saw most of the remaining US crew flying back home and it feels depressing. Sean, Bobby Allen, Tony Ward... are gone and only John Terry and Carlo from Power remain. I never go back to the office since the 6th, and we spent the days going to cafe, museums and shopping.
After the show...
Jen and Michelle say that depression always follows after an event ends. It is also true for me. With the Beijing creative team gone and the US team packing their bags and leaving for the airport, I do feel a sense of emptiness and sadness.
Since the night of the 2nd, a lot of the people stopped coming in to the office. I didn't get to say proper goodbye to many of the choreographers and "Mao Mao" before they flied back. I managed to catch some of the people but those are nonetheless brief farewell. I've been working with my team for 3 months everyday and they become trusted and reliable colleagues and friends who helped out each other. I am sadden by the thought of not being able to see them again for a very very long time.
With the limited days left before people fly out, Karen and I spent a lot of time with the US colleagues, trying to give them our warmest hospitality and farewell. It is a shame that we can only get to know most of them just when they are leaving. I found out a lot of them are very active in showbiz and had worked with big artists in the States. I wish they can stay longer.
But "There isn't a banquet that never end." Everyone is heading back to their own cities and taking on new challenges ahead of them. I give them the most affectionate regards and the best of luck.
Since the night of the 2nd, a lot of the people stopped coming in to the office. I didn't get to say proper goodbye to many of the choreographers and "Mao Mao" before they flied back. I managed to catch some of the people but those are nonetheless brief farewell. I've been working with my team for 3 months everyday and they become trusted and reliable colleagues and friends who helped out each other. I am sadden by the thought of not being able to see them again for a very very long time.
With the limited days left before people fly out, Karen and I spent a lot of time with the US colleagues, trying to give them our warmest hospitality and farewell. It is a shame that we can only get to know most of them just when they are leaving. I found out a lot of them are very active in showbiz and had worked with big artists in the States. I wish they can stay longer.
But "There isn't a banquet that never end." Everyone is heading back to their own cities and taking on new challenges ahead of them. I give them the most affectionate regards and the best of luck.
The last moment
The show was finally over!!!!!
Everyone felt nothing but pure joy and ecstatic. There were laughter, hugs, congratulating words, tears and smiling faces everywhere. It was a moment we had been waiting for, an end to the hectic work.
For many people, it was a long tough 4-week of prep work, 12-hour-plus working hour everyday, numerous sleepless nights, and many exciting and tiring rehearsals. For me, it was a total dedication - the first time I invested so much time/energy to one thing and one thing only. The level of concentration was beyond anything I could predicted. We lost track of the date and day. We never watched the news. We didn't have time to write. We become ignorant of the world that still carries out their routine. But then it was all worth it.
There is no doubt in my mind that it is an amazing, unforgettable experience. The thing I will definitely miss the most is the people I've met here: the brilliant creative people from Beijing, the big boys from US who turn out to be so sweet and nice, the fun and caring Michelle and Jason from Don's office, the sweetheart from Audio, the funniest Mr. Producer, the adorable Shanghainese kiddos...
Everyone felt nothing but pure joy and ecstatic. There were laughter, hugs, congratulating words, tears and smiling faces everywhere. It was a moment we had been waiting for, an end to the hectic work.
For many people, it was a long tough 4-week of prep work, 12-hour-plus working hour everyday, numerous sleepless nights, and many exciting and tiring rehearsals. For me, it was a total dedication - the first time I invested so much time/energy to one thing and one thing only. The level of concentration was beyond anything I could predicted. We lost track of the date and day. We never watched the news. We didn't have time to write. We become ignorant of the world that still carries out their routine. But then it was all worth it.
There is no doubt in my mind that it is an amazing, unforgettable experience. The thing I will definitely miss the most is the people I've met here: the brilliant creative people from Beijing, the big boys from US who turn out to be so sweet and nice, the fun and caring Michelle and Jason from Don's office, the sweetheart from Audio, the funniest Mr. Producer, the adorable Shanghainese kiddos...
1 More Day To Go
Today is Oct 1st and the dark day before opening ceremony. Here I am sitting in the Control Room on the 12/F of the East Asia Regal Hotel, where all power lies.
Cast is not coming in, lighting and audio are on break, choreography is chilling out. Only our director and his team, which includes me, are working in the Control Room. This is the peace before the storm.
Cast is not coming in, lighting and audio are on break, choreography is chilling out. Only our director and his team, which includes me, are working in the Control Room. This is the peace before the storm.
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