没有天上掉下来的馅饼
-防诈骗

人年纪大了
会有些莫名的恐惧
走路跑步怕跌到, 驾车担心出事
总怕行差踏错

年轻时轻描淡写的事
现在裹足不前，甚至会惶恐?

只想安安稳稳度过晚年
经不起惊吓
经不起折腾
没想要走出舒适区

人生是多面多维度的
在某事某行很成功自信
走出了舒适区也会战战兢兢
犯错了也可能毁了自信

人生也经历过几许惊涛骇浪
也都平平稳稳度过
成败得失都成过去
远离拼搏沙场

莫让平静的湖面掀起了波澜
信心自尊心受到严重打击
而失控失去判断
一时没了舵

劳碌一生
老来自当安享清幽
没必要去求富贵荣华
紧守不要失去所有

世间没有不劳而获
没有天上掉下来的馅饼
只有辛勤奔赴
方能实现梦想

c.h.e.f andy

========================

published on 31.3.2025

my English translation 👇

There is no such thing as a Free Lunch
— avoid being scammed

as people age
an unexplained sense of fear creeps in
afraid of falling when walking or running, worried about accidents when driving
constantly fearing missteps

things once taken lightly in youth
now cause hesitation, even anxiety

all one wants is a peaceful old age
no shocks
no turmoil
no desire to leave the comfort zone

life has many facets and dimensions
one may be successful and confident in one area
yet stepping out of the comfort zone can cause one to tremble in fear
a single mistake can shatter one’s confidence

having braved more than a few stormy seas
and sailed through safely and steadily
successes and failures belong to the past
the days of struggle left far behind

let not the calm waters be disturbed
confidence and self-esteem suffering a severe blow
can lead to sudden loss of control and loss of judgment
adrift and directionless without ruddle

having toiled a lifetime
one should enjoy a peaceful old age
there’s no need to chase wealth and glory
just hold on tight and don’t lose one’s life’s savings

there is no reward without effort
there is no such thing as a free lunch
only through hard work
can we realise our dreams

肉骨茶

肉骨茶
风靡东南亚
家喻户晓
新加坡美食，传情千里

浓郁鲜甜
胡椒飘香的肉汤
肥瘦均衡的龙骨
肥而不腻，Q弹带劲
鲜味入喉，唇齿留芳

美味的情缘
蕴含血汗心酸
早年过埠，为了温饱
不论年老年幼
在码头当苦力
只为挣一口饭

骨头熬汤
便宜、便利、填饱、补充精力
方有力气熬过
烈日当头，重担压身
热气蒸腾，汗流浃背
出卖劳力的日子
青春也刻上皱纹

古早味
精烹细熬，清香回甘
配搭酥脆油条
泡在汁中肉香入味
咬一口鲜香喷溢
再来一口功夫茶
人间美味， 此生足矣

c.h.e.f andy

=========================

published on 31.3.2025

see my English translation 👇

肉骨茶 Bakuteh

Bakuteh
a sensation across Southeast Asia
a household name
a Singaporean delicacy, bearer of emotive connections far beyond

rich and savoury
a broth infused with the fragrance of white pepper
prime pork ribs, perfectly balanced in lean and fat
tender yet firm, indulgent yet not greasy
a burst of umami lingers on the palate

a bond of love tied to taste experience
steeped in blood and tears
in the early days, immigrants, to earn a livelihood
young and old alike
toiled as dock labourers – “coolies”
a daily struggle, just to earn a meal

pork bones, simmered into broth
affordable, convenient, fill the stomach, restore the strength
only then could they endure
the scorching sun, the crushing loads
the searing heat, sweat soaking the backs
the days of backbreaking labor
where even the face of youth is lined with wrinkles of time

traditional taste
slowly brewed to aromatic perfection, with lingering sweetness
best paired with 油条 crispy dough fritters
soak in the broth, absorb its richness
a bite unleashes a burst of flavour
followed with a sip of 功夫茶
a taste of heaven, a life fulfilled

当你老了

当你老了
还有老伴相陪左右
同步晚年？

当你孤单
可有昔日好友哥们
聊天叙旧？

当你乏了
能觅得一处属于自己的宁静
修复还原？

当你病了
会有家人亲人陪伴
细心照料？

当你老态龙钟
你的世界会愿意放缓脚步
让你跟上？

酌酒恋黄昏，晚霞醉君眸
秋凉人烟寂，华发悄上头
芳华随花落，流水不重逢
年华依梦老，秋意入夜深
历历生前事，淡淡身后名

c.h.e.f andy

===================

published on 27.3.2025

my English translation 👇

当你老了 When You Are Old

when you are old
will your loved one still be by your side
walking in lock-step through the twilight years?

when you feel lonely
will your old pals still be there
chatting and reminiscing the past?

when you are weary
will you find a shelter of quietude of your own
to heal and restore?

when you fall ill
will your family and loved ones
stay by your side and take care of you?

when you are aged and frail
will the world slow down for you
so you can keep up?

sipping wine, enamored with the dusk; the evening glow intoxicates your gaze
autumn chills, the world grows silent, silver hair creeps upon my head
youth fades like falling petals, like water flowing past, never to meet again
years grow old in dreams, autumn deepens into the night
the past lingers vividly, while all fades gently with death

郑漫星仁
秀外慧中

我写给我侄孙女郑漫星的题诗😎

郑苑钟灵毓才秀

漫天繁华浮云外

星河蕴含无上慧

仁爱齐家乐心中

my English translation 👇

a poem using the name of my grandniece 郑漫星

the garden of Zheng 郑 is a blessed place that nurtures outstanding talent

an entire sky filled with bustling prosperity is but impermanent and illusory, beyond the drifting clouds

the galaxy of stars hold infinite wisdom

with love and compassion, manage the family in good harmony, and bring joy to the heart

c.h.e.f andy

published on 4mar2025

南怡岛之秋

南怡岛
远眺
秋天落叶，秋意盈漫
枫叶
火焰飘曳点燃了树梢
随着时间的脚步
铺满遍地残红

空滑索
仰望
一线流星，划破蓝空
凌驾
天神之威势临空而降
89米高塔940米地
跨空飞越岛河

银杏树
近观
迎风轻舞，摇首弄姿
杏叶
数千黄折扇挥之潇洒
顺着入秋的步伐
撒满落地黄金

游池塘
环视
水鸭列阵，鲤鱼戏水
鸵鸟
鹤立园中鉴日月时空
伴着镜月的时针
追溯昔日芳华

c.h.e.f andy

====================

published on 1.3.2025

see my English translation 👇

南怡岛之秋 Autumn on Nami Island

Nami Island
gazing into the distance
leaves falling, the mood of autumn brimming and spreading
maple leaves
like flickering flames, they ignite the treetops
with the passage of time
they cover the ground in a tapestry of the crimson past

the Zip Line
looking up
a shooting star streaks, slicing through the blue sky
soaring
with the might of a deity descending from above
from an 89-meter tower, across 940 meters
flying over the islands and river

ginkgo trees
up close
dancing gently in the wind, swaying with grace
ginkgo leaves
thousands of yellow fans fluttering elegantly
following the footsteps of autumn
scattering golden hue across the ground

viewing the pond
looking around
ducks in formation, carps playing in the water
ostriches
standing tall in the garden, witnessing the passage of sun, moon, time and space
accompanied by the illusory hour hand of the moon in the mirror
retracing the transient beauty of youth