London Symbols

Here's another magnet from my colleague, Duangrat.

All three symbols of London, England in one magnet:-
The Big Ben; Red Double Decker Bus; Black Cab.

Anyone, anywhere in the world, will immediately think of London if they see an image of any of these iconic symbols.

Pedestal Tray

As a confirmation to my previous post on camel, this is another collectible which shows UAE's attachment to camels. A pedestal tray inscribed with camel and palm tree in the dessert.

One of pedestal trays I brought back from my trips to Dubai. I visited Dubai three or four times during the years 2002 - 2005. Searching through the internet, things and places have changed a lot during the past five years. Wishing that I could visit Dubai again for new collectibles.

Epidaurus Theater

Epidaurus Theater is one of the most important ancient sites in Greece. It was built 2500 years ago. It was ruined, discovered, excavated and then restoration work has been carried out so that the theatre can still be used safely. It is still hosting Greek dramas today.

The theater was considered to have great acoustics. The audience can perfectly hear the actors without the sound having to be amplified. The limestone rows filter the low-frequency sounds but amplify the sounds from the stage.

Collectible of the ancient site from my eldest daughter from her flight to Greece.

Akha

Following my post on Karen, this magnet represents The Akha who also known to the Thai as the Gaw or the E-gaw (names that the Akha do not like). They are located primarily with Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai provinces. The Akha are closely related with the Hani of Yunnan province, China.

The Akha speak a language in the Lolo/Yi branch of the Tibeto-Burman language group. They have no traditional written language.

A key part of UAE

Camels are a key part of UAE's rich heritage because of its social and economic value in the region.



The animal is famously known as the ship of the desert because of its walk, which is much like the motion of a ship at sea. Patience is one of its most observable features and camels are generally useful animal.

In the olden days, camels were not only a source of transport but also for food and milk.

Nowadays the camel is essentially used for racing. Camel racing is considered to be a very popular activity amoung UAE community members.

This is also one of Dubai collectibles bought on my visit during 2002-2005.

New York at night

As a continuation from the post on Segovia Aqueduct souvenir spoon, when Wannee learnt that I have this blog of collectibleslovers, she remembered that besides other collectibles given to me, she also gave me a snowglobe from New York.

With the Big Apple between The Statue of Liberty and Empire State Building, showing New York at night and a red apple in the word , it is undoubtedly why they call New York City the "Big Apple".

Christmas Golf Balls

Perfect gift for the golfers.

This is a gift from my eldest daughter's host family whom she stayed as an exchange student in Manhattan, Kansas during 1996/1997. Three balls namely, Reindeer, Christmas Tee and Jingle Balls.

Undoubtedly, they used to be white. As the years fly they all turned to yellow. Never been once hit by a golf club.

Thanks to Ken and Pat Embers.

Kinderpyramide

A product of original handicraft made in Germany, high standard quality and exclusive design.

Each article is unique and embodies the long tradition of handcrafting products of wood in the mountains of the Erzgebirge in Germany.

When the candles are lit, the impeller slowly begin to turn creating an enchanting play of light and shadow.

This is another collectible I do not remember how I come to possess it.

Kangaroos

Like Platypus, Kangaroos are endemic to Australia. The kangaroo is a national symbol of Australia. Its emblem is used on the Australian coat of arms, on some of its currency as well as by some of Australia's best known organisations, including Qantas.

A common myth about the kangaroo's English name is that "kangaroo" was a Guugu Yimithirr (an Australian Aboriginal language, the traditional language of the Guugu Yimithirr people of Far North Queensland) phrase for "I don't understand you."

There's a legend that when exploring the area, Lieutenant Cook and naturalist Sir Joseph Banks found the animals. They asked a nearby local what the creatures were called. The local responded "Kangaroo", meaning "I don't understand you", which Cook took to be the name of the creature.

This magnet collectible from my daughter's flight to Australia always reminds me of my 3 daughters and myself.

Karen

Northern Thailand is home to interesting and colourful minority groups called hill tribes.

Most of the hill tribes have moved into the region during the past 100 years and have largely preserved their traditional ways, making them a fascinating cultural study.

There are seven broad hill tribe groupings: Karen, Lahu, Hmong, Lisu, Akha and Mien. Each has its own customs, language, dress and spiritual beliefs

Karen is the largest of the minority groups. There are three main sub-groups within the Karen, White Karen or Sgaw, Black Karen or Pgo and Red Karen or Kayah.

The Karen wear woven v-neck tunics of various natural colours and turbans. Unmarried women wear distinctive long white v-neck tunics.

This is one of the four Northern Thailand Hill Tribes magnet collectibles bought during my visit to Chiengmai in 2009.

Postbox

Postbox from the reign of King Edward VII

This is one of the first four magnets which my colleague, Duangrat brought for me when she visited her sons in England more than ten years ago. It is the opening of my magnet collectibles.

The designs of the postboxes are often related to the cultures and historical backgrounds of the countries. They have their unique stories, shapes, colours, fonts, logo and etc.

Different countries have set different colour schemes for their postboxes. The postboxes in Great Britain are red in colour. In the western European countries like France, Germany and Spain the postboxes are in yellow colour. In the US, the postboxes are dark blues.

All postboxes in England bear the royal badges. Whenever there was a change of regime, so was the badge. No wonder, postboxes bearing royal badge of different regimes on the sides can be found easily everywhere in the streets of England. However, postboxes bearing the Victorian badges can rarely be found in London because most of them had already been destroyed when the German air force bombarded London during World War II. Today most of the postboxes in England are inscribed with the Royal Badge of the present Queen Elizabeth 2nd.

Platypus

A platypus is a semi-aquatic mammal found in eastern Australia where they live on the edges of rivers and freshwater lakes where burrows can be dug. It is one of the mammals that lay eggs instead of giving birth to live young.

Because of its features; egg-laying, venomous, duck-billed, beaver-tailed, otter-footed mammal, it became an iconic symbol of Australia. It has appeared as a mascot at national events and is featured on the reverse of the Australia 20 cent coin. The Platypus is the animal emblem of the state of New South Wales.

My eldest daughter bought this cute and very lifelike doll from her flight to Australia.

Alcatraz Island Prison

On 22 May 2010, I posted about a cable car in San Francisco. This is another magnet collectibles I also bought from the same souvenir shop at Pier 39 San Francisco during my 7 days trip to LA-Las Vegus-San Francisco in May 2009.

Alcatraz Island is an island located in the San Francisco Bay, 1.5 miles (2.4 km) offshore from San Francisco, California. Often referred to as The Rock. Alcatraz was used as a federal maximum-security prison from 1934 until 1963, when it was closed due to high costs and security issues. Over the years it was home to Al Capone, George "Machine Gun" Kelley, and Robert "The Birdman" Stroud.

Later, in 1972, Alcatraz became a national recreation area and received landmarking designations in 1976 and 1986.

This magnet represents a prisoner trying to escape 'The Rock" which during its 29 years of operation, the penitentiary claimed no prisoners had ever successfully escaped.

Mirror

Another collectible from Japan. A mirror which at the back is a picture of Japanese Castle and Mount Fuji Vocalno, the symbols of Japan.

I got this mirror from Pi Pairoj, my husband's colleague who visited Japan several years ago. Never been used as a mirror but kept in show cabinet as a treasure collectible.

Candle Holder

During my daughters' appointment as cabin crews with the Emirates, I had a chance to visit them several times. Each visit, I had to drop by at the souvenir shops. This is one of the Dubai collectibles that I bought from The Arabian Treasures wing of City Centre on the first floor. It is made of brass and oyster shell.

The Liberty Bell

A huge bronze bell located in The Independence Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is one of the most prominent symbols of the American Revolutionary War. It symbolizes freedom and independence within the United States and has been described as an icon of liberty and justice.

The bell was originally called the State House Bell or the Province Bell. The bell was first called the Liberty Bell around 1839 by abolitionist (anti-slavery) publications.

Inscriptions on the Bell: Across the top of the bell is the inscription, "PROCLAIM LIBERTY THROUGHOUT ALL THE LAND UNTO ALL THE INHABITANTS THEREOF LEV. XXV X." This is a quote from the Old Testamentent of the Bible, Leviticus chapter 25, verse 10. Under this reads, "BY ORDER OF THE ASSEMBLY OF THE PROVINCE OF PENSYLVANIA [sic] FOR THE STATE HOUSE IN PHILADA." Lower on the bell are the inscriptions, "PASS AND STOW," the last names of the founders who cast the bell (John Pass and John Stow). Beneath this is "PHILADA," short for Philadelphia. The lowest inscription is the Roman numerals MDCCLIII (1753), the year the bell was re-cast.

During my training in New York in October 2001, a former Officer in my section, Ms. Elsa C. Lorenzo was kind enough to take me and ESCAP team to visit Philadelphia. Out of the four bells that I bought, I keep two of them. My first bells collectibles.

Thank you Elsa, the bells always remind me of your kindness.

Learn more: The Liberty Bell

Segovia Aqueduct

Embossed handle with the element of the Roman Aqueduct.



The Roman aqueduct is the symbol of Segovia, Spain . It is one of the greatest surviving monuments of Roman engineering . It is still in perfect condition with two layers of arches, which runs for about 700 meters over a square and up to the city wall. At its highest point, over the square, it is almost 30 meters high. It was built during the late 1st century or early 2nd century AD. It is really amazing, because it was built with stones, joined without mortar or clamps.


In case I've never mentioned before, in my workplace, there are Pi Yao, Onn, Wannee and myself who form the Gang of Four. I got this collectible spoon from Wannee who accompanied her beloved husband to Europe in May 2010. She gave this spoon to me as a souvenir from her trip unaware that I have created this blog of collectibleslovers.

Thank you Wannee.

Napkin holder

Souvenir from the Holy Land. I got this napkin holder in 1999 from my colleague, Oranuj when she was on assignment to UNIFIL, Lebanon.

It is made of goldplated brass with the Jerusalem Cross inside Star of David in the middle surrounded by 12 zodiac signs. Even though it's a napkin holder, I consider it a precious collectible becaue it's a souvenir from the Holy Land.

Since I've never been to Israel, this souvenir from the Holy Land makes me feel that I've been there myself.

Thanks Nuj.

Tin Plate 4

This is the last tin plate of my collectibles of four.




This claret-ground design is taken from an English porcelain dish with intricately tooled gilt ornament made at the Worcester factory about 1770-75.

Mashimaro Doll

Mashimaro is Korea's most popular cartoon character created in June 2000 by Kim Jae In and Jang Mi Yeong. It is the main character in the story of Mashimaro Forest. He is a cute new character, who happens to be a bunny that likes to play tricks and is actually quite a mean practical joker. It has won fans' hearts over the years with its fatty and dumpy look.

The name is derived from marshmallow since Mashimaro looks like one! However, Mashimaro is a twist on the name marshmallow. It sounds like how a baby would say marshmallow: Mashimaro.

My younger daughter, Fur bought it on her visit to Korea in 2009.

Kokeshi dolls

Kokeshi dolls (Japanese wooden dolls)

Kokeshi doll is made of solid wood. It is one of the most famous Japanese dolls. The production technique is of the potter's wheel and has been handed down from teacher to pupil.

Kokeshi is the most famous Japanese wooden doll around the world and is sold as souvenir all over Japan.

My younger daughter, Fur bought this collectible set of three Kokeshi dolls on her visit to Japan in 2008. Cute, aren't they?

Double Phoenix

Apart from those collectibles I bought when I travel (which in fact I haven't travelled much) or the collectibles I got from my friends, my daughters, etc., I also collect what I consider antiques. There are few plates which once belonged to my grandmother and this is one of them.

This is a vegetable serving plate, 9 1/8" round Double Phoenix, blue castle & garden with roses and lattice. Double Phoenix is a mark used by the Nihon Koshitsu Toki Company (NKT) in Japan. Nikko Ceramics of Japan has been producing dinnerware since 1908. They began selling to the American market in 1968...offering many formal, casual and holiday patterns of bone china and earthenware.

I do not know the exact age of this plate but based on the crazing and from the time I took it from my mom, it must be more than 30 years.

Today, whoever has this same pattern of plates and need a replacement can order from Robbinsnest.

Vintage Edelweiss Spoon

Those who watched The Sound of Music must have been impressed by the song sung by Captain Georg Ludwig von Trapp and his family during the concert as a defiant statement of Austrian patriotism in the face of the pressure put upon him to join the navy of Nazi Germany. Edelweiss is the title of the song.

Edelweiss is one of the best–known European mountain flowers, belonging to the sunflower family. Its white colour is considered a symbol of purity and according to its legend, Edelweiss is also a symbol of love, bravery, strength, and dedication.

My eldest daughter bought this collectible spoon on her flight to Austria. It reminds me of both the film and also of what it represents.

Buckingham Palace

The Buckingham House was a large townhouse built in 1703 for the Duke of Buckingham. It was subsequently acquired by George III in 1761 as a private residence for Queen Charlotte. The House was known as “The Queen’s House”. During the 19th century it was enlarged, forming three wings around a central courtyard.

Buckingham Palace finally became the official royal palace of the British monarch on the accession of Queen Victoria in 1837. Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is a setting for state occasions and royal hospitality.

My daughter, Foil got it from her trip to visit her friend in England. The Magnet shows the principal façade, the East Front; originally constructed by Edward Blore and completed in 1850, it was redesigned in 1913 by Sir Aston Webb.

Learn more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buckingham_palace

Tin Plates 3

The design of this tin plate showing a view of Orwell Park, Suffolk, is taken from an English transfer-printed plate made by the John and Richard Riley Company in Burslem, Staffordshire, about 1825.




Another tin plate in my collectibles of four.

African Hand Carved Wooden Warrior Mask (Maasai)

For tourists, the Maasai could be the most known Kenyan tribe. The warrior people in the tribe wore this mask to scare their opponents and to identify themselves within a tribe.

Originated from Kenya, this mask has been hand carved by the Maasai tribesmen with the same colors used in clothing and face painting of the Maasai daily life.

This African mask has two tribesmen facing each other with traditional patterns on the face. The value of each mask derives from the fact that each one is an original work of art. It is individually hand carved so there is no identical one.

These masks have become one of the popular African souvenirs and are hung on walls in homes around the world.

My eldest daughter bought this mask during her flight to Nairobi during 2004-2005. This is not the only mask she bought. There's also a few other African souvenirs. Africa is the place she'd still like to revisit.

2008 Olympic Games Pocket Watch

The 2008 Summer Olympics - the Games of the XXIX Olympiad took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. It was the third time that the Summer Olympic Games were held in Asia, after Tokyo, Japan in 1964 and Seoul, South Korea in 1988. I have no idea at all that there is this Commemorative Watch of the Olympic Games unitl I started doing this blog of my collectibles. I found it in my show cabinet. After asking my family member of it's source, it turned out that it was a souvenir from my husband's colleague, Molrudee who visited Beijing during the Olympics Games. The colour of both the watch and it's box is silver but because I'm a poor photographer, it looks like gold in this picture.

Deft blue windmill pepper holder

This pepper holder has also been in my collectibles for over ten years. It is not from the Netherlands or any places abroad. I bought it locally right after I got the windmill hanging from my supervisor. However, the quality of the ceramic is so fine that I'm not sure whether part of Delftware products are manufactured here in Thailand. The difference is only there's no Delft Blue print on it.


To tell you the truth, I already found one manufacturer in Lumpang, Thailand.

Chokin Art Collection from Japan

THE ART OF CHOKIN

Chokin is the ancient Japanese art of engraving copper and gilding it with precious 24K Gold and Silver since the 12th century.

The engravings were orginally created to decorate the armament of SAMURAI warriors.

At least I was able to buy a few souvenirs from Narita Airport on my one night only in Japan on the way back from my short trip to USA last year.

Santa in an old veteran and vintage English car

At some point, one of my dearest friends, Onn learnt that I'm a collectibles lover and snowglobe is one of my favourite collectibles. In 2009, Onn went to visit her daughter, Nong Omm who is studying in England. She handpicked two snowglobes for me. They are my first Christmas snowglobes. This is one of them.


Instead of sleigh ride, this Santa Clause chooses to travel in an old veteran and vintage English car. I'm sure that he's loaded lots of toys and goodies in his car too.

Thanks Onn and Nong Omm. It's a high quality snowglobe and I love it so much.

The Big Apple

Why do they call New York City the "Big Apple"?


In early 1920s, a reporter named his racing column "Around The Big Apple" after the term used by New Orleans stableman to refer to New York City's racetracks. And then, in the late 1920s and early 1930s, New York City's Jazz musicians began to refer New York City as the "Big Apple." In 1971, to increase tourism, the Big Apple has been adopted an official recognised reference to New York City with the hope that the red apples would serve as a bright and cheery image of New York City. Since then, New York City has officially been The Big Apple.

This is one of my magnet collectibles. The red big apple embraces the city of New York. Even though there's no longer the original WTC in New York, this magnet still shows how once the Twin Towers became seen as a New York icon, in the same league as the Empire State Building, Chrysler Building and the Statue of Liberty.

Got it from my eldest daughter on her flight to New York in 2004-2005.

Tin Plate 2

Here's another tin plate collectible I bought from The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York in 2001.


This floral design with a blue scale background is taken from an English porcelain dish made at the Worcester factory about 1770-75.

Snowman Snowglobe

Being so fond of snowman and so obsessed with snowglobes, I must admit that I'm double happy when my colleague, Sinee gave me this snowglobe. Sinee went for training at UNHQs, New York in November 2009. Since it was in winter, I asked her to find snowglobe with Christmas meaning. This smiling snowman holding "SNOW" label and standing next to Christmas tree makes me feel cold when looking at it.

Thank you Sinee, it's now one of my three christmas snowglobes collectibles.

Dutch Wooden Clog Sailing Ship Vintage Night Light

Wind and water, farmers and fishermen, windmill and sailboat, they associate with each other one way or another. These words have a very special fascination for the true-born Dutchman.

Wooden clogs are worn by farmers, fishermen and others to protect their feet. They have been accredited as safty shoes. Nails, fishing hooks and sharp implements will not go through a wooden clog.

Even though nowadays people no longer wear clogs for everyday use, traditional footwear is still associated with Holland. Today, Dutch clogs are primarily a beloved tourist souvenir.

The age of this Dutch Wooden Clog Sailing Ship Vintage Night Light is almost 30 years. My husband bought it from his trip to the Netherlands. The smaller one is not a night light.

Cable Car - the Icon of San Francisco City

The Inventor of the cable car, Andrew Hallidie, a Scot mining engineer moved to U.S. in 1852. His father filed the first patent in Great Britain for the manufacture of wire- rope. As an engineer, he found use of this technology in California’s Gold Country, in designing and building a suspension bridge across Sacramento’ American River and to pull heavy ore cars out of the underground mines on tracks.

After witnessing a horrible accident on a typically damp summer day in 1869, he got an idea to use the technology to become full blown-cable car railway system to deal with San Francisco’s fearsome hills.

On August 2, 1873 Andrew Hallidie tested the first cable car system near the top of Nob Hill at Clay and Jones Streets. Cable cars remained the primary mode of transportation until April 18, 1906 earthquake, when most of system was damanged. A municipal railway replaced most lines afterward. Today, they're the only vehicles of their kind still in operation and they are designated National Landmarks.

San Francisco was the first city to have cable cars.
I got this magnet from Souvenir Shop at Pier 39 San Francisco during my 7 days trip to LA-Las Vegus-San Francisco in May 2009. It was a fun and tired trip. I enjoyed San Francisco Scenary, the cable car, Lombard Street and the Golden Gate. Such a memorable trip.

Learn More: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Francisco_cable_car_system

Three Little Angels

Three ceremic angels playing violin, mandolin and tamborine represent my three daughters. They were given as Christmas gift from my husband's colleague in 2009. Though neither of my daughters play those instruments, they are now placed on a piano together with other musical stuffs.

Bookmark - St. Patrick's Cathedral

On my trip to New York in 2001, I had a chance to attend Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral on the east side of Fifth Avenue between 50th and 51st Streets in midtown Manhattan, New York City. Saint Patrick's Cathedral is a decorated Neo-Gothic-style Roman Catholic cathedral church.

It is the seat of the archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York, and a parish church which acts as the religious centre of a parish.

I bought this bookmark from a souvenir shop on the way to St. Patrick's Cathedral. It has been used with my bible since then.

Delft Blue Windmill Hanging

The Netherlands - The land of the windmills.

Dutch Windmill is one of the first things people recall about The Netherlands. It was said that the mills did not originate in Holland but had been introduced to Europe by the Middle East during the times of the Crusades. Windmills are said to have existed in Holland from about 1200.

There are a about 1150 remaining windmills in the Netherlands. The Dutch only counts complete workable mills, and to add to this number, many extensive rebuilds of the mills have occurred during the past ten years. All these must have produced an overwhelming and unforgettable impression on the Dutch themselves as well as on foreigners. To day we cannot imagine The Netherlands without the windmills.

Delft is synonymous with ceramics. Ceramics have been produced in the Netherlands for many centuries. It does not have to be Delft blue, it can be decorated with many different colours.

Decorative Delftware is amoung the most popular gifts and collectibles from the Netherlands. The hand-painted motif represents many different aspects of Dutch life and history.

I got this Delft Blue Windmill Hanging from Mr. Suthat Ungsuthornrungsi who is also one of my former supervisers. He brought several souvenirs for his subordinates when he visited the Netherlands. I chose this one because of the big Windmill. It has been in my collectibles for over 10 years.

Collectible Glass Miniature Rabbits

This set of 6 art glass miniatures is simply stunning! Each is hand blown from blue, yellow, red, brown, pink, purple and white fused art glass in the shape of a rabbit.


This collectible is from Germany, my husband's colleague, Ravivan bought it on her visit in 2007. She just confessed that she thought my husband was born in the year of the rabbit which in fact it's the year of the dragon. The miniatures are so cute that I would welcome any other year.

Tin Plate 1

During my trip to New York in 2001, I also visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I spent almost the whole day and it's worth the tiredness. I bought four tin plates and this is one of them.

They are light and unbreakable. The original porcelain plates were used in some of the great British houses of centuries ago. People wouldn't know these are not the original porcelain plates until they are picked up.

This design called the “Duke of Gloucester” Pattern is taken from an English Worcester soup plate made about 1780. This plate produced for the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York by Elite Gift Boxes, England.

It's now standing as a decorative plate in my kitchen and part of my priceless collectibles.

Anniversary

This music box was a present for my wedding anniversary from my husband's friend, Mr. Santisook. The lady's playing violin and the man's playing guitar with country scenary circled the base. The song used is a line from 'You've got a friend'. It's a peaceful love, isn't it? Such a meaningful collectible.

The Statue of Liberty

I've never been abroad until I was 46 and that's when I had my passport issued. I was part of ESCAP team designated to go for training in UNHQs, New York during October - early November 2001 which was less than a month after the 911.

Though the Statue of Liberty was closed to visitors, I had a chance to look at it from afar when I visited Battery Park where ferries depart for the Statue of Liberty. I bought this from a souvenir shop as a remembrance that at least I had caught sight of The Statue of Liberty.

The Statue of Liberty, officially titled Liberty Enlightening the World was a gift of friendship from the people of France to the people of the United States in 1886. It is one of the most recognizable symbols in the world. The Statue of Liberty's symbolism has grown over the years, not only for this international friendship but also for freedom and democracy. In 1984, The United Nations designated the Statue of Liberty as a World Heritage Site.

Thanks to Khun Anchalee Charnsupharindr, my former supervisor who gave me an opportunity to be part of ESCAP team.

Lantern

A candle night event in Osaka supports lights-out initiatives of the Earth Hour campaign which aims to raise awareness of climate change issues. The Earth Hour campaign gives people a voice on the future of our planet and working together to create a sustainable low carbon future for our planet.

While Earth Hour was conceived by WWF and The Sydney Morning Herald in 2007, a small group of people in Japan have managed thousands of people to turn off their lights and use less electricity through the Candle Night Event since 2003.

Let's enjoy quality time with our family and friends while turning off the lights during Earth Hour. With a small candle lit in the dark, it is time to retrieve "connectedness" with people, nature and the planet.

Please note that candles are obviously not supposed to replace the electric lights during awareness-raising events like this, they are only part of the fun. Make sure that beeswax candles are used. Beeswax candles are smoke free, non-toxic and non-allergenic. They are also made of natural products, not petroleum-based materials, so they are effectively carbon neutral.

My eldest daughter bought this brass lantern on her flight to Osaka in 2005. Although she didn't buy it on the Candle Night event, this collectible reminds me that people in Osaka are front runners of the age.

The Barcelos Rooster Ring Bell

Why the Rooster on top?

The Barcelos Rooster Ring Bell is a unique good luck gift. The Barcelos Rooster has become a national symbol of Portugal. It symbolises "The winning of justice when you fight for it". The legend is many hundred years old. There are serveral versions of the legend.

A young man was sentenced to death for a crime he didn't commit. He swore he was innocent but no one believed him. Before he was hung, he made his last wish to meet his judge.

The young man went to see the judge and the judge even served him a fried rooster. Again he swore his innocence. All of the sudden, he lifted his right hand's two swear fingers and bursted out "By the Virgin Mary and the Holy John, I once again swear that I am innocent. If I lie, the rooster on that tray will stay where it is, but if I am telling the truth, it will rise and crow". Right after his words, the rooster was in its earlier feathers, standing up and crowing so it was heard all over Barcelos. The young man was immediately released.

I don't remember how I got this. No one gave it to me. My daughters didn't buy it. I asked my husband if someone gave it to him. He couldn't recall at all. So, there's a possibility that it belonged to my grandma who was also a Portugese. I took few things from her house years after she passed away.

Vintage Music Box

Austria-Vienna-Salzburg

The hot-hit talk in my office now is about Vienna. Four of my colleagues will be going to Vienna on an official business the end of this month. They talk about hotel reservations, what to bring with them, where to eat, etc. They even plan to have a one day tour to Salzburg. Oh God, I'm so jealous as they are going to Austria. Austria is famous for its beautiful mountain scenery. It's the land of art and music. Vienna has long been an important centre of musical innovation. In eighteenth and nineteenth century, composers were drawn to this city and made Vienna the European capital of classical music. Austria-Vienna-Salzburg, The home of Mozart, Strauss, Beethoven and others.

This reminds me of one of my collectibles, i.e. a piano-shaped music box with large, resin-carved cameo on cover. I got this vintage music box in 2005 from my eldest daughter who was then a flight attendant with Emirates Airlines. A pink piano, with, raised goldtone design and piano-keys with large ivory-color cameo of a lovely dancing couples. This music box plays music when the top of the piano is up and does not play when the top of the piano is down.

Snowman Candles

Though a snowman myself, standing alone in the bleak midwinter can be too shivering. Standing together with my so-called twin makes me feel warmer.




Can anyone tell me who made the first snowman and came up with the idea of placing snowballs on top of each other and using a carrot or cherry for a nose, sticks for arms and stone for eyes? To date snowman has become the symbol of wintertime fun which appears everywhere on almost everything, from christmas decorations to greeting cards to seasonal sweaters to sock etc. And now I proudly present these two snowman candles.

I got these collectibles from Pi Yao (my so-called twin) when she travelled to Germany in October 2004. She bought these candles from a souvenir shop which was located opposite Shopping Chocolate Factory Outlet Centre, Lindt, Aachen. Because these candles are so cute and because I don't want my memory of Pi Yao's thought of me every time she travels, to melt away , I never light them. It's me who has been lightened up everytime I look at them.