https://www.scmp.com/rss/16418/feed en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com The Hong Kong warty newt, the city’s only salamander species, is not a big explorer. Still, what the species lacks in wanderlust and speed, it makes up for in thick-headed determination. If instinct points it towards a suitable patch of forest, where it may spend most of the year, it will get there at all costs. So after breeding in one of the streams that feed into the Lam Tsuen River, legions of the amphibians come ashore at Shui Wo Village in Tai Po each spring, and head for the... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/article/2021575/hong-kong-roadkill-count-launched-reduce-wildlife-deaths-roads?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/article/2021575/hong-kong-roadkill-count-launched-reduce-wildlife-deaths-roads?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 24 Sep 2016 23:00:55 +0000 Striking gong after gong with her padded mallet,Martha Collard sends ripples of sound reverberating through her Wong Chuk Hang studio on a recent full moon evening, soothing rumbles which occasionally rise to a fierce crescendo. The sound waves cocoon a class of 30 people as they slip into a dreamlike, meditative state on their yoga mats or, judging by the snores from different corners of the room, deep slumber for some. After the last notes of Collard’s 45-minute gong playing fades away, the... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-beauty/article/1955710/good-vibrations-hongkongers-embrace-sound-therapy-retune?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-beauty/article/1955710/good-vibrations-hongkongers-embrace-sound-therapy-retune?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 26 May 2016 23:00:30 +0000 Shortly after his third son was born, Law Kai-hong faced the devastating possibility that his baby might never be able to walk normally. His son is one of only two Hongkongers born with Kabuki syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that causes varying degrees of skeletal and other abnormalities. After the boy started walking at the age of two, Law lost sleep worrying that his son might be bullied at school because of his mild intellectual disability, weak muscles and slow development. The son is now... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/families/article/1922640/honk-kong-father-son-rare-genetic-disorder-gives-other-special?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/families/article/1922640/honk-kong-father-son-rare-genetic-disorder-gives-other-special?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 09 Mar 2016 04:15:15 +0000 In his 38 years selling textiles at the Yen Chow Street Hawker Bazaar in Sham Shui Po, West Kowloon, Chan Yu-tung has always been ready to lend customers a hand. He has helped fashion students select easy-to-handle fabrics for their first clothes-making projects. He accommodates hobbyists’ requests to cut just half a yard of material – unless they pick a bolt of fabric stuck at the bottom of a pile that’s stacked all the way to the sheet-metal ceiling. He was even game when designer Dorothy Lam... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/fashion-luxury/article/1886774/social-fabric-hong-kong-textile-bazaars-demolition-dismays?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/fashion-luxury/article/1886774/social-fabric-hong-kong-textile-bazaars-demolition-dismays?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 07 Dec 2015 05:00:45 +0000 WHALE OF A CHILDHOOD I grew up in Baltimore, in the US. On my first dive, at the age of 10 - performed with a cheap mask, snorkel and air mattress, which I used to paddle offshore, at Ocean City - I plunged into a swirling school of spiny dogfish sharks and surfaced sputtering and alarmed, having mistaken the gentle animals for an aggressive species. But I was fearless enough to go back for a second glance. At about the same time, I began raising tropical fish at home. By high school, I had... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/article/1875660/interview-marine-geneticist-stephen-palumbi-his-plans-take?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/article/1875660/interview-marine-geneticist-stephen-palumbi-his-plans-take?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 07 Nov 2015 13:00:45 +0000 On a recent Sunday in Tai Po Kau Nature Reserve, teacher Danie Strydom and a few preschoolers were using the slippery face of a river boulder as a slide. Just a few metres away, another group of children were carefully building, branch by branch, pebble by pebble, a riverbank shelter for "forest elves". Welcome to Hong Kong Forest Kindergarten. It's among several nature-based nurseries that have emerged in the city, operating without classrooms or uniforms. While most kindergartens in Hong Kong... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/families/article/1866582/letting-nature-nurture-hong-kong-kindergartens-take-kids-outdoors?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/families/article/1866582/letting-nature-nurture-hong-kong-kindergartens-take-kids-outdoors?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 12 Oct 2015 21:30:45 +0000 When Rachel and Sophie Tadelis were three, the twins got into trouble with their nursery teacher for telling friends that they hadn't come from their mother's womb but their aunt's. Rachel and Sophie weren't just a pair of imaginative toddlers telling tall tales, though. Theirs is an extraordinary life, as is the multicultural family that their parents Jamie and Amy Tadelis have made with two other siblings who were adopted in Hong Kong, Levi and Ruby. It's family that has triumphed over... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/families/article/1860150/how-hong-kong-cancer-survivor-had-family-against-odds?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/families/article/1860150/how-hong-kong-cancer-survivor-had-family-against-odds?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 21 Sep 2015 10:52:42 +0000 The tightly knit community of free-divers around the world was stunned when news emerged in early August that Natalia Molchanova failed to return from a dive near Ibiza, Spain, and was presumed dead. The 53-year-old Russian had long been an inspirational figure in free-diving, her 41 world records making her the undisputed queen of the sport. Although the tragedy highlighted the risks of free-diving, it has done little to dampen enthusiasm for the extraordinary discipline whereby athletes such... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/article/1853418/hong-kong-free-diving-where-learn-and-why-its-catching?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/article/1853418/hong-kong-free-diving-where-learn-and-why-its-catching?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 30 Aug 2015 10:00:30 +0000 Social entrepreneurship is in Rainbow Chow Choi-hung's blood. Over the years, the former social worker has set up a child development centre, an online magazine promoting positive parenting, along with a dessert shop that employs mentally disabled people and donates sweet soups to the poor. Her latest venture, MicroForests, combines her love for making terrariums with her commitment to empowering the disadvantaged. She teaches stay-at-home mums from low-income families how to create and sell... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/families/article/1848252/hong-kong-stay-home-mums-regain-their-self-worth-through-work?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/families/article/1848252/hong-kong-stay-home-mums-regain-their-self-worth-through-work?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 11 Aug 2015 00:15:15 +0000 If family-controlled conglomerates have trouble getting someone from the clan to take up the reins after a couple of generations, things are even worse for small, traditional businesses. After all, the enterprise that grandad or great-grandad established isn't likely to offer a glamorous, high-flying career. Better-educated scions see their future elsewhere. Even so, a few are driven to keep their family legacy alive. Wah Fung, a traditional siu mei (roast meat) shop that opened on Queen's Road... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/article/1845549/how-three-small-hong-kong-businesses-thrived-after-kids-took-over?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/article/1845549/how-three-small-hong-kong-businesses-thrived-after-kids-took-over?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 01 Aug 2015 14:30:45 +0000 Many youngsters see little use for maths beyond how to add and subtract, multiply and divide. But that's largely because of the way the subject is normally taught. Curriculums worldwide have lost touch with everyday life and failed to rouse interest among students as a result, says Solomon Garfunkel, a leading American mathematician and educator. Maths is a life skill that allows us to understand how the world works and make informed decisions on matters such as mortgages or balancing our bank... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/families/article/1841493/why-maths-should-be-fun-and-creative-not-test-rote-learning?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/families/article/1841493/why-maths-should-be-fun-and-creative-not-test-rote-learning?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 20 Jul 2015 22:12:28 +0000 Counsellors traditionally treat problems such as anxiety or depression as they arise. But instead of focusing on the condition, a positive psychology movement led by pioneers such as Dr Martin Seligman believe helping people change their habits of negative thinking can improve how they feel, too. Justine Campbell is an avid advocate of this idea. That's why she set up Mindquest Group, an emotional well-being centre in Kennedy Town that adopts this approach to take youngsters and adults "from... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/families/article/1824776/hong-kong-children-get-help-centre-uses-positive-psychology?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/families/article/1824776/hong-kong-children-get-help-centre-uses-positive-psychology?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 22 Jun 2015 22:10:27 +0000 It used to be that every educated person could write in a fair hand. Computer keyboards and touch screens have since made regular use of a pen something of an anachronism for many young people, let alone good penmanship. So it's a revelation to watch 20-year-old Li Suen-wai write out, character by character, a work by Liang dynasty poet Wu Jun with unfaltering meticulousness and concentration onto a piece of grid paper by hand. His kaishu, or regular script, is immaculate: written with a gel... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/article/1807097/hongkongers-keeping-chinese-and-western-calligraphy-alive?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/article/1807097/hongkongers-keeping-chinese-and-western-calligraphy-alive?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 24 May 2015 22:33:02 +0000 Over the Lunar New Year, most Hongkongers get togetherfor family banquets, tally up the number of red packets they've received, or simply take the opportunity to enjoy a well-earned break. But some are still hard at work during the festivities. For trade unionist and legislator Alice Mak Mei-kuen, working through the holiday comes with the territory. It's a schedule she has maintained for the past 21 years. In the weeks leading up to the holiday, she is already busy wishing her constituents in... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/families/article/1714734/hongkongers-working-through-lunar-new-year-holiday?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/families/article/1714734/hongkongers-working-through-lunar-new-year-holiday?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 16 Feb 2015 22:11:39 +0000 A FATHER'S DREAMS My parents grew up during the Cultural Revolution, when all things Western were banned - though, behind closed doors, my father listened to cassettes of classical and country music. He managed to teach himself the guitar, and would play for the family at dinnertimes. Later, when my parents were both semi-retired, they worked at an instrument shop in Shanghai; my mother was manager and my father tuned pianos. A few years after the door opened, my father decided I should start... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/article/1688981/cellist-jiaxin-lloyd-webber-music-marriage-and-motherhood?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/article/1688981/cellist-jiaxin-lloyd-webber-music-marriage-and-motherhood?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 24 Jan 2015 14:19:43 +0000 JUNGLE BOY I was born in Britain to a Scottish mother and an English father. When I was seven, my family relocated to Kuala Lumpur for five years, then Singapore (for seven years), until I returned to Britain to study geomorphology (the scientific study of landforms) at university. I was an independent child and liked solo adventure. In the 1970s, I loved camping in Malaysian jungles with my dog. I became very resourceful, resilient and better at problem-solving because nature throws up... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/article/1607529/my-life-tim-jarvis?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/article/1607529/my-life-tim-jarvis?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 04 Oct 2014 14:09:30 +0000 Isaac Wong King-yip called the Shau Kei Wan typhoon shelter home for the first three years of his life. He played on the deck of his family's austere wooden houseboat, while his grandparents taught his parents how to pack preserved fish for sale at a wet market. Several times he fell into the sea. "My father and grandfather had to dive in to rescue me," says Wong, 31, a pastor. When his grandparents retired in 1984, they sold their floating home and moved into a high-rise apartment. Many other... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/article/1334647/keepers-shau-kei-wans-maritime-past?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/article/1334647/keepers-shau-kei-wans-maritime-past?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 18 Oct 2013 10:30:00 +0000 Tsang Tsz-kwan excelled in this year's Diploma of Secondary Education exams. The student at Ying Wa Girls' College bagged 5** in Chinese, English and liberal studies, 5* in English and Chinese literature and a four in maths. I have to accept I'm disadvantaged, but I decided to take the challenge whatever the results as I think the most important thing is the courage to face the challenge Her results may not compare with those of the nine top-scoring students with seven 5** marks, but then... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1283521/blind-students-hkdse-results-speak-volumes-tenacity?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1283521/blind-students-hkdse-results-speak-volumes-tenacity?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 15 Jul 2013 16:00:00 +0000 News headlines in early July announcing that scientists in Switzerland may have made a key discovery in the field of physics - called the Higgs boson, or "God particle" - excited two young physicists from Hong Kong because they were involved in projects related to the discovery. Chinese University students Martin Kwok Ka-hei and John Leung Shing-chau worked at the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (Cern) in Geneva, site of the experiment, last summer. Cern's scientists study how the... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/technology/article/1036883/god-particle-part-2?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/technology/article/1036883/god-particle-part-2?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 16 Sep 2012 16:00:00 +0000 If you have oily skin you may have trouble finding moisturisers that don't clog your pores. You've probably been through an assortment of creamy products, but have you tried a gel product? Biotherm Aquasource Rich Cream (HK$360/ 50ml) 7/10 This gel is soft, lightweight and almost runny. Non-sticky, it feels cool on application and quickly sinks in. The aqua scent really makes the day better. Clinique Moisture Surge Extended (HK$350/ 50ml) 8/10 This is lovely and light and doesn't leave you... https://www.scmp.com/article/1014613/week-we-test-gel-moisturisers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1014613/week-we-test-gel-moisturisers?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 11 Aug 2012 16:00:00 +0000 What you'll need: Dark chocolate Cornflakes Marshmallows Steps: 1. Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over hot water. 2. Add the cornflakes and marshmallows to the melted chocolate. 3. Mix until all the ingredients are evenly coated with chocolate. 4. Spoon blobs of cake mixture onto a piece of cling film, baking paper or aluminium foil. 5. Sprinkle mini M&Ms on top to decorate. 6. Freeze in the fridge for one hour until they are set. https://www.scmp.com/article/1014340/easy-peasy-crispy-cakes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1014340/easy-peasy-crispy-cakes?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 07 Aug 2012 16:00:00 +0000 There is a great way to personalise your notebooks and wrapping paper: you can use rubber stamps to make them uniquely your own. Find out how artist Addis Fung carves this scholarly bunny onto a chop. What you'll need: Baking or tracing paper Pencil Eraser Different-sized craft knives Ink pad Wooden block White glue Steps: 1 Use a pencil to sketch your design on a piece of baking paper. If this is your first time, pick something simple like a solid shape. 2 Flip the paper over and rub the... https://www.scmp.com/article/1014265/rubber-stamp-your-own-keeps?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1014265/rubber-stamp-your-own-keeps?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 06 Aug 2012 16:00:00 +0000 It's summer - so you have no excuses for doing nothing. Now is the perfect time to organise a camping trip with your friends. Young Post has done all your hard work: instead of searching online, page after page, for details about different campsites and checklists, we've found all the information you'll ever need. Five of the best retreats You may be eager to try a rustic wilderness spot, but take it from us: start slowly. If you are a first-timer, pick a camping ground with amenities such as... https://www.scmp.com/article/1014177/carry-camping?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1014177/carry-camping?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 05 Aug 2012 16:00:00 +0000 Summer perfumes can be lighter than their winter counterparts - sniff out citrus and floral notes, or anything that puts you in a holiday mood. Jeanne Lanvin Couture EDP (HK$395/ 30ml) Slightly musky, with a hint of raspberries and cedar, in a gorgeous bottle. A bit too strong, though - better suited for more mature users. Anna Sui Fairy Dance EDT (HK$485/ 50ml) This is so delicate: vanilla and sandalwood together are almost guaranteed to create a great scent. The fragrance can last up to a... https://www.scmp.com/article/1008578/week-we-test-summer-fragrances?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1008578/week-we-test-summer-fragrances?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 04 Aug 2012 16:00:00 +0000 The azure skies beckon and the birds call. It's time for Joyee, the winter girl, to tie her long hair up into a refreshing ponytail, change into a flowy dress and head for the countryside. These songs really get into the spirit of summer, in all its bliss and balmy days and nights. Never Saw Blue, Hayley Westenra (from Odyssey) My sister liked to say our former home, in Ap Lei Chau, enjoyed the view of 'five skies' - because the blue was divided by towering apartments. It wasn't until I... https://www.scmp.com/article/1008531/turn-heat-and-chill?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1008531/turn-heat-and-chill?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 03 Aug 2012 16:00:00 +0000 World Vision Hong Kong is holding a charity book sale to raise money to improve educational facilities for less fortunate children. Every dollar spent at the Used Book Recycling Campaign will be donated to build a new school in Shaanxi province to house more than 1,400 students and teachers. 'The schoolchildren in Koujiahe Secondary School are learning in cramped classrooms with insufficient facilities,' said World Vision's Zoe Chan. 'This will affect their achievements. Your contribution could... https://www.scmp.com/article/1008533/book-sale-build-classrooms-needy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1008533/book-sale-build-classrooms-needy?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 03 Aug 2012 16:00:00 +0000 The mouth-watering aroma of egg waffles drew passersby to a community art space in Yau Ma Tei two weekends ago. At the fragrance's source was Ng Yuk-fai, better known as 'Uncle Egg-Waffle'. He was behind his wooden cart and charcoal stove and making the beloved snack he has spent 30 years perfecting. The 74-year-old had been selling his speciality in Tai Hang until last year when he was arrested for unlicensed hawking. He has had all his equipment confiscated seven times over the years. His... https://www.scmp.com/article/1008130/past-master-waffles?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1008130/past-master-waffles?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 29 Jul 2012 16:00:00 +0000 Sprays can give your hair a messy texture without weighing it down too much. They can also lock a style in place as a finishing product. Gatsby Quick Moving Mist (HK$39.9/ 100ml) 6/10 A neat dispenser but the product simply does not hold very well. Better to go with regular wax or paste products. Faddy Strong Hold Moving Spray (HK$48/ 190ml) 9/10 Greatly versatile, with a long-lasting effect. Ideal for short to medium length hair. A must-buy item this summer. LSNP Hold It Spray (HK$79.9/... https://www.scmp.com/article/1008061/week-we-test-hair-styling-spray?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1008061/week-we-test-hair-styling-spray?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 28 Jul 2012 16:00:00 +0000 We ladies love pampering ourselves at the weekend with a sumptuous afternoon tea at the best cafes. Flowing dresses, pretty clutch bags, scones with clotted cream and jam, and a good hot pot of jasmine (for me) and Darjeeling (for Karly) tea are a few of our favourite things. We give the impression that we walk only with tiny, elegant steps, and the sportiest thing we would do is whip cream for fairy cakes for the YP team. No one seems to know we do enjoy the outdoors, and don't fear the sun,... https://www.scmp.com/article/1007873/rowing-proves-more-oarsome-challenge-it-looks?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1007873/rowing-proves-more-oarsome-challenge-it-looks?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 26 Jul 2012 16:00:00 +0000 Spending too much time playing computer games or surfing the web can leave wrists feeling tired. Make your hands a frog-shaped cushion and they will thank you! What you'll need Glove Stuffing White glue Ribbon Fabric Wiggly eyes Chenille stems Steps: 1. Stuff the glove with stuffing. 2. Fold and glue the index, middle and ring fingers of the glove to the palm. 3. Tie the lump with a ribbon. This will be the frog's head. 4. Cut two yellow and two green semi-circles out of the fabric. 5. Glue one... https://www.scmp.com/article/1007628/rest-your-wrist?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1007628/rest-your-wrist?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Jul 2012 16:00:00 +0000 Beautiful bouquets have one bad habit: the petals of their flowers fade, wither and drop off. But they could last longer if you know the special preservation technique called 'L'ecrin flower'. Artist Shirley Tsoi Pui-yu shows how you can keep a bouquet of lilac-coloured roses for longer. What you'll need: Flowers Air-tight, microwave-safe container Dehydration sand (available from Siheyuan Ornaments: Rm 1303, Workingbond Comm Centre, 162 Prince Edward Road West, Mong Kok) Botanic... https://www.scmp.com/article/1007627/way-lasting-beauty?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1007627/way-lasting-beauty?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Jul 2012 16:00:00 +0000 In April, whale watchers off Sri Lanka's southern coast were greeted by an unsettling sight: the lifeless body of an 18-metre-long blue whale. Its nearly severed tail was floating in the water. From its injuries, it was obvious that Earth's largest animal, which is on the endangered species list, was struck by a ship. It was the sixth death recorded this year in the country. Sri Lanka has both one of the world's busiest shipping lanes and a booming whale-watching industry. The blue whales may... https://www.scmp.com/article/1007554/blue-whales-wake?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1007554/blue-whales-wake?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 22 Jul 2012 16:00:00 +0000 While sun protection is on the top of most people's lists, after-sun is sometimes overlooked. Applying this moisturising lotion can soothe sunburn and prevent peeling Sunplay After Sun Aloe Vera Gel (HK$86.90/ 200g) A thick layer of this natural remedy, made of aloe, soothes and cools parched arms and legs instantly and gently - and it's suitable for sensitive skin! My Beauty Diary Aloe Vera Soothing Gel (HK$69/ 200ml) This gel is a little bit sticky, but it really soothes the skin and feels... https://www.scmp.com/article/1007493/week-we-test-after-sun?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1007493/week-we-test-after-sun?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 21 Jul 2012 16:00:00 +0000 As Kate Middleton walked up the aisle during her wedding to Britain's Prince William last year, millions of people worldwide marvelled at her bridal gown. The future Duchess of Cambridge was wearing an intricate ivory satin dress, with lace floral detail, designed by Sarah Burton, of the Alexander McQueen fashion house. The gown - dubbed by fashion experts 'the wedding dress of the century' - reportedly cost GBP250,000 (about HK$3 million). Hongkonger Mimi Chan Wai-han was one of two dozen of... https://www.scmp.com/article/1007215/royal-appointment?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1007215/royal-appointment?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 18 Jul 2012 16:00:00 +0000 What you'll need: Square paper (9cm x 9cm) Steps 1. Fold the paper in half and fold again. You should get two square flaps. 2. Pry open one of the flaps, and flatten to make a squash fold. Turn over and do the same for the other side. 3. You should get a triangle. Fold in the two bottom corners of the triangle to make crease lines. 4. Fold in the top corner of the triangle to make another crease line. 5. Open up the pocket of one flap and flatten to make two squash folds. 6. Fold down the top... https://www.scmp.com/article/1007131/we-love-reading?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1007131/we-love-reading?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 17 Jul 2012 16:00:00 +0000 About half of diners find their portions of food so large they can't finish them when they eat out, a new survey says. The environmentalist group Greeners Action polled 988 people on the streets last month. Half of the respondents said they could not finish their rice or noodle dishes, while 58 per cent said they were served the same excessive amount of food even after they had asked for smaller portions. A similar survey in 2009 found that only 16 per cent of those polled said they could finish... https://www.scmp.com/article/1007034/dishes-are-too-large?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1007034/dishes-are-too-large?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 16 Jul 2012 16:00:00 +0000 Scrapbooking is a popular pastime that involves preserving personal memories. But it's more than just sticking a bunch of photos in a scrapbook. The beauty of the craft is that it combines a diary, photo album and art book all in one. The idea is to capture particular moments in a colourful, special and enduring way. Vivian Chan Wing-man from Hong Kong Memory Chest, a society of scrapbooking enthusiasts, can help you get started. Here are some useful tips about how to create a scrapbook of your... https://www.scmp.com/article/1007037/capture-world-your-own?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1007037/capture-world-your-own?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 16 Jul 2012 16:00:00 +0000 Endangered Siamese crocodiles in Cambodia are highly valued - but more dead than alive. Their patterned skin, when converted into leather handbags, is irresistible to many fashionistas and also generates huge profits for businessmen. With fewer than 250 of these crocodiles left, the skin trade is driving the species not only to extinction, but also threatening the purity of its genes. In February, Billy Kwan Kit-yue and Jason Lau To-hong, two environmental science students at the City University... https://www.scmp.com/article/1006946/matter-life-and-death?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1006946/matter-life-and-death?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 15 Jul 2012 16:00:00 +0000 Going to the beach is always fun, but the pain of sunburn is not. Spray sunscreens are as effective as creams, but easier to apply - just remember, you should still rub the product in. 8/10 Banana Boat Banana Boat Ultra Protect Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 (HK$110/ 175ml) This misty spray needs only a few spritzes to cover the whole body and it dries quickly. It has a fresh scent that evokes the beach. Those who sweat a lot will need to reapply regularly. 6/10 Sexy Girl UV Perfect Cut Spray SPF... https://www.scmp.com/article/1006869/week-we-test-sunscreen-spray?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1006869/week-we-test-sunscreen-spray?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 14 Jul 2012 16:00:00 +0000 These sweet little apples just fell from our tree, or so we like to think! They're super-easy to put together, and make a fun decoration for your home's kitchen. What you'll need: Craft yarn (red) Chenille stems (brown and green) A piece of cardboard about 5cm x 12cm Steps: 1. Bend the piece of cardboard in half. 2. Take a length of yarn and wrap it around the cardboard about 100 times. When you're finished, just cut the string off. 3. Cut your brown chenille stem in half. Slip one half through... https://www.scmp.com/article/1006486/cute-fruit?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1006486/cute-fruit?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 10 Jul 2012 16:00:00 +0000 Twelve beaches across Hong Kong were closed last week after bathers spotted the black fin of a suspected whale shark slicing through the water. While it is wise to get out of the sea until one knows what kind of shark it is, most people have little knowledge about these marine beasts. At least a dozen types of sharks have been recorded in Hong Kong waters over the past 150 years. And some of these creatures are now considered extremely rare, verging on extinction, says Tracy Tsang Chui-chi, a... https://www.scmp.com/article/1006483/some-fin-really-special?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1006483/some-fin-really-special?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 10 Jul 2012 16:00:00 +0000 Perfect for any party or get-together, these super-easy cake pops are sure to rock your world! Cynthia Leung H-o-yan, of BulooBird Dessert, at Cat Stor, a cat-themed cafe in Causeway Bay, shows Young Post how to turn an ordinary pound cake into these lovely sheep on a lolly stick. What you'll need One pack of fondant icing A pound cake Cream cheese Whipping cream White chocolate, melted Sugar pearls Lollipop sticks Method 1 Shape the sheep's head and limbs with the fondant icing. Refrigerate... https://www.scmp.com/article/1006402/how-make-party-treat?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1006402/how-make-party-treat?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 09 Jul 2012 16:00:00 +0000 A newly-established green group has condemned a supermarket giant for refusing to donate unsold, but edible food to the needy. Friends of the Earth (HK) and 11 non-governmental organisations have formed the Food Donation Alliance to promote food recycling. The environmental group revealed in May that four supermarket chains - ParknShop, Wellcome, CR Vanguard and Jusco - disposed of about 29 tonnes of food before its expiry date. The edible food found in rubbish bins included fruit, vegetables... https://www.scmp.com/article/1006401/supermarket-says-no?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1006401/supermarket-says-no?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 09 Jul 2012 16:00:00 +0000 One in five South Asian workers receive less than the legal minimum wage of HK$28 per hour. Yet they keep quiet for fear of losing their jobs, a new survey says. The Hong Kong Catholic Commission for Labour Affairs interviewed 238 South Asians - mostly Pakistanis and Indians - from March to June. Study leader Law Pui-shan said the workers were unwilling to fight for their rights because they were dependent on their friends to find jobs. Law said some foreign workers believe they had less... https://www.scmp.com/article/1006400/migrant-workers-get-raw-deal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1006400/migrant-workers-get-raw-deal?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 09 Jul 2012 16:00:00 +0000 Most teachers are spoon-feeding students in liberal studies classes, although this is discouraged, a University of Hong Kong study has found. Teachers are relying heavily on textbooks, despite guidelines that they should not do so. Student Theodora Yu, 18, often engages in lively debates on topical issues in class. She thinks she learned more through exchanging ideas than through textbooks - which only covered a small part of the subject. 'While textbooks help explain fundamental concepts,... https://www.scmp.com/article/1006323/students-spoon-fed?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1006323/students-spoon-fed?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 08 Jul 2012 16:00:00 +0000 Scrub off dead skin - and the worries of the day - to keep your face fresh and glowing this summer. Apivita Face Exfoliating Gel Gentle Cleansing With Apricot & Honey (HK$200/ 75ml) A little goes a long way. Apricot and jojoba seeds gently scrub away the yuckies in the skin without being too rough, while honey nourishes. Its naturally fruity fragrance is a delight. L'Occitane Angelica Exfoliating Gel (HK$230/75ml) This feels a bit gummy on the skin - not what you would expect at all from an... https://www.scmp.com/article/1006251/week-facial-scrubs-over-hk200?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1006251/week-facial-scrubs-over-hk200?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 07 Jul 2012 16:00:00 +0000 In 2009, a new museum opened its doors to the public on the mainland every three days. In 2010, the numbers tripled. There was a new museum opening every day - a total of 395 in a single year. Shan Jixiang, director of Beijing's Palace Museum, sees the 21st century as the era of museums, but he does not welcome the boom. Quantity doesn't equal quality, he says. Many of those new museums are cold, rigid structures that house boring rows of ancient ceramics and scrolls, he points out. 'Government... https://www.scmp.com/article/1005839/museum-shelves-galore?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1005839/museum-shelves-galore?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 03 Jul 2012 16:00:00 +0000 These paper lanterns are easy to make, and they add a happy atmosphere for a weekend party. Every day can be mid-autumn festival! What you'll need: Construction paper Ruler Pencil Scissors Stapler or tape Steps: 1. Cut a strip off the short end of the construction paper. Set aside to use as the lantern handle. 2. Fold your paper in half lengthwise. 3. Draw a line one inch from the end of the long edge of the paper, opposite the folded edge. This will be the line where you stop cutting. 4.... https://www.scmp.com/article/1005843/lovely-lanterns?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1005843/lovely-lanterns?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 03 Jul 2012 16:00:00 +0000 Think of a summer bouquet bursting with juicy fruits and flowers ... Then imagine it all crushed up into a portable potion. Such are the sensual solid fragrances created from pure and natural ingredients by skincare expert Sabrina Lo Ming-yan from Sabrina's Secrets. Just rubbing a little onto your pulse points will keep you smelling good all day. Here Lo explains how to design a rose- and sweet-orange-scented balm. What you'll need (Makes 4) 10g shea butter 5g beeswax 5g olive wax 10g jojoba... https://www.scmp.com/article/1005755/daub-summers-aroma?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1005755/daub-summers-aroma?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 02 Jul 2012 16:00:00 +0000 Scrub off dead skin - and the worries of the day - to keep your face fresh and glowing this summer. 6/10 Barbie Beauty Exfoliating Pore Refiner (HK$78/ 80g) The best thing about this product is that it you smell subtly of roses afterwards. It also effectively and immediately leaves your skin feeling soft. 8/10 Clinelle Skin Smoothing Scrub (HK$99/ 50ml) A great scrub - not harsh on the skin, but cleans perfectly. Its blend of botanical extracts - balm mint and orange - will soothe and refresh... https://www.scmp.com/article/1005599/week-facial-scrub-under-hk200?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1005599/week-facial-scrub-under-hk200?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 30 Jun 2012 16:00:00 +0000